Autocracy Watch
People often think democracy has nothing to do with everyday life, but when it’s weakened, corruption grows and public money meant for things like health care, food, and housing is stolen. Protecting democracy is essential to stop this corruption and make sure everyone has a fair chance at a decent life.
Autocratic playbook
Happening in America
Attack the free press
“Enemy of the people"; Multiple lawsuits against media outlets—NY Times; ABC; CBS; suspension of Jimmy Kimmel
Pardon your allies; arrest, handcuff, harass your adversaries
Pardoned January 6 rioters as well as Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, Roger Stone. Indicted James Comey & Letitia James; Arrested U.S. Congresswoman McIver and Newark Mayor Baraka;
Fight the peaceful transfer of power
2020—January 6; State officials pressured to submit fraudulent slates of electors and to “find” votes; 2026—extreme gerrymandering; push for extreme ID requirement, elimination of mail-in voting, interfere directly with the certification of election results that Trump doesn't like; appears to be normalizing presence of military to control civilians as preparation to control 206 elections
Arrest, attack and intimidate the judiciary
Arrested Judge Dugan; Attacked Judges Chutkan, Curiel, Engoran and Merchan among others; increased physical threats now occur against judges that Trump has disparaged and their families
Minimize oversight and accountability
Fired inspectors general; Fired DOJ prosecutors who worked on Jan 6; effectively shut congressionally mandated Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; minimal if any cooperation with congressional subpoenas or oversight
Use military to control civilians
National guard and military sent to multiple cities; masked men without identification and in unmarked cars disappear people off the streets of America.
Financially reward allies
Trump organization has multiple major projects overseas, many that intertwine with foreign policy; Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, crypto billionaire with extensive ties between Trump organization and Zhao's Binance crypto firm; tariff exemptions have been correlated with degree of Republican donations; Trump sat in a Tesla on the White House front lawn
Destroying/coopting civic institutions
Has forced major law firms to pledge over $1 billion in pro bono work on Trump supported work, while chilling their willingness to do pro bono work that Trump would dislike; has canceled billions of dollars in research funds at major universities and is attempting broad takeover of curriculum at universities
Corruption
Trump is now estimated to be worth over $7 billion, an increase of about 75% since his election. In other words, in one year, he has accumulated 75% of what he had in his entire life before his current election. Various ventures as president including crypto coins, value of Truth Social, peddling meme coins; private Jet gift from Qatar; numerous business deals in foreign countries; selling bibles, sneakers and watches