The article critiques the Republican Party’s support for Donald Trump and his escalating rhetoric, which has deepened national divisions. It argues that if Republicans were shown Trump’s actions and statements from 2014, they would label them as fascist, yet many have aligned themselves with him. Trump and his administration label Democrats as domestic enemies and provoke violence against federal agencies, creating an environment ripe for civil unrest. Notably, Trump has characterized Democrats in extreme terms, indicating he sees himself as a leader only for his supporters.
Instead of condemning this rhetoric, Republicans have offered political cover, blaming the left for political violence while downplaying serious incidents involving violence against Democrats and calls for civil unrest. The article suggests that what is emerging can be termed “Trumpism,” which involves using government power to suppress opposition, militarize local authorities, and foster loyalty to the administration over the Constitution.
The Republican factions range from those openly supporting authoritarianism to others who justify Trump’s actions through false equivalencies or downplay the severity of his actions. Collectively, the article asserts that Republicans are not a fascist party but a Trumpist one, refusing to hold Trump accountable. The outcome is a lack of restraint as Trump has framed the opposition as an enemy, signaling a dire shift toward an autocratic political climate.
