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It's Day 53 [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-03-14
In January, Timothy Rybeck wrote in The Atlantic, “Hitler systematically disabled and then dismantled his country’s democratic structures and processes in less than two months’ time—specifically, one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes.” It took Hitler 53 days in 1933 to dismantle Germany’s democratic government through constitutional means. Now, it’s Day 53 of Donald J. Trump’s second term as President.
Before the election, it had become clear to many that a second term would follow the roadmap laid out in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 Playbook. The Playbook lays out a plan to consolidate executive power in favor of right-wing policies, effectively turning our democracy into an authoritarian oligarchy—effectively privatizing the government.
It’s Day 53 today—let’s take a look at how the plan is unfolding.
On a brisk January morning in 2025, Donald J. Trump took the oath of office for the second time, smiling at a starkly divided America. Cheers erupted from a loyal base convinced he was their champion, while others stood mute—uneasy about what might come next. Within hours, it has become clear this presidency is unlike anything modern America has seen.
The afternoon brought a flurry of executive orders so rapid that legal experts and journalists could barely keep up. One order declared the southern border a “war zone,” complete with roving soldiers and sweeping deportations. Another resurrected “Schedule F,” allowing the White House to fire career civil servants and replace them with die-hard loyalists. In a polarizing nod to old promises, Trump pardoned hundreds of individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot—sending a loud message that if you stand by him, he will protect you.
Almost immediately, the administration moved to dismantle any checks on its power. Federal agencies now would operate under a new muzzle: an executive order banning them from cooperating with social media platforms to combat disinformation. Meanwhile, a high-profile probe into “Big Tech censorship” threatened punitive measures against companies that dare to moderate content. Even mainstream media organizations began to feel the squeeze, with reports that White House credentials could be stripped from reporters who ask “unfriendly” questions.
Far more chilling, federal prosecutors who once pursued cases against Trump have been fired. Professionals with long records of service vanished overnight—dismissed for supposedly harboring “bias.” Few believe it is anything but revenge. In the same breath, a new special counsel opened investigations into the previous administration, telegraphing that “turnabout” is fair play. A palpable chill settled over Washington: challenge the president, and you risk your career—perhaps even your freedom.
Meanwhile, high-level shakeups at the FBI, Department of Justice, and the Pentagon replaced neutral guardians of the law with individuals known for their loyalty to Trump. At the same time, local police departments that align with his worldview find themselves flooded with new resources, while those identified as critics face unexplained funding cuts. In an unprecedented move, the president has deployed troops to greet migrant caravans at the border—blurring the line between domestic law enforcement and military power, a dangerous hallmark of authoritarian regimes worldwide.
Inside the White House, the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), headed by half-trillionaire Elon Musk, now demands final approval on vital regulatory decisions. The Trump administration is moving at an alarming pace, undermining our cultural values and democratic principles. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are being dismantled, all immigrants and any other dissenters are being labeled a danger, and the White House is making sweeping claims that brand entire cities as “hotbeds of chaos.” This strategy creates divisions among Americans, making it increasingly difficult to unite against blatant power grabs. We must recognize that we are becoming a nation increasingly at odds with itself.
This rapid change is not just shocking; it’s intentional. Experts warn that the whirlwind of extreme policies—some potentially illegal—is designed to desensitize the public and allow authoritarian tactics to take root. We cannot stand idly by as these dangerous actions unfold.
History has shown us that citizens possess the power to shape outcomes. Judges have the authority to strike down unconstitutional orders, grassroots groups can hold leaders accountable, and journalists are vital in exposing wrongdoing. Our democracy hinges on the willingness of everyday Americans to take a stand—by contacting their representatives, volunteering for civic organizations, organizing protests, and consistently voting in every election. In my own case, it’s by trying to decompose and chronicle the chaos.
We can take some comfort in the fact that all dictatorships and oligarchies eventually end, but the longer they exist and the more pain they inflict on the populace, the more likely it is that they will end in violent overthrow.
As we enter Day 53 of the Trump Administration, we are witnessing a concerning pattern: the very steps that dictators take to establish authoritarian control and crush dissent are being implemented. It’s crucial to draw attention to the illegal, unethical, and dangerous measures being taken to undermine our democracy and promote an autocracy and oligarchy. These actions threaten not only our standing in the world but also the health of our economy.
Who suffers when policies drive up the cost of new cars by $20,000, triple the price of wine and beer, and make fruit, vegetables, coffee, phones, and laptops unaffordable? Not Elon Musk, not Donald Trump, and certainly not the billionaire elite. Musk won’t lose sleep over the $11 million he burned on jet fuel last year. Trump will still rake in $14 million a month from taxpayers to pay for spending half his time on the golf course.
To support the claims in my research, I leveraged a variety of resources, including around twenty-five publications, search engines, and multiple deep research tools. The evidence is overwhelming. If you’re interested in the full compendium of findings, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at
[email protected].
The world is watching America, and we must ask ourselves: Will we allow our guardrails to collapse, or will we unite to protect the republic that countless generations have fought to uphold? The time to act is now. If we allow these authoritarian moves to become the status quo, we risk losing everything we hold dear. We owe it to ourselves and to the very essence of America to fight for the democracy we deserve.
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Sources:
The following sources were used in preparing this article. Many are biased and maybe it’s not possible to be unbiased today. I’ve tried to balance the research with varying points of view from the far left to the far right. A lot comes from the news sources I find most credible, Reuters, AP, The Guardian, Washington Post, and The Economist. Of course, that list reflects my own bias.
1. American Immigration Council. (2025, January 21). Statement Condemning “Invasion” Rhetoric and Mass Deportations. Step 1 Center/Left High Reliability
“The executive orders claim a novel constitutional right to suspend the ‘physical entry’ of people declared to be engaging in ‘invasion.’ It is not clear what this means, and future guidance or policy changes may better illuminate it.”
2. Fox News. (2025, January 23). Trump’s Return: A Necessary Crackdown at the Southern Border. Step 1 Right High Reliability
“Trump is also directing Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to finish installing sections of the border wall.”
3. Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. (2025, January 25). Reaction to “Schedule F” and Federal Employee Protections. Step 2, Step 4 Left High Reliability
“Trump administration officials elected to bypass the regulatory process to rescind Biden-era rules aimed at barring Schedule F’s revival, setting up a bigger fight over the president’s authority.”
4. National Review Editorial Board. (2025, January 28). Presidential Prerogatives and Federal Workforce Realignment. Step 2 Right High Reliability
“Monday’s order reinstates President Trump’s October 2020 executive order that sought to exempt certain federal employees from those civil service protections by designating them under ‘Schedule F,’ a new classification for agency personnel in policy-making positions.”
5. Committee to Protect Journalists. (2025, January 30). Report on Federal Restrictions and Threats to Media Access. Step 3 Center High Reliability
“CPJ, SPJ, journalist groups call on Trump administration to restore AP access to White House.”
6. Fox News Town Hall Transcript. (2025, February 1). “I’m Not a Dictator” – President Trump’s Joking Response. Step 3, Step 7 Right High Reliability
“I said, ‘I’m going to be a dictator for one day. We’re going to do two things. The border, we’re going to make it so tight you can’t get in unless you come in legally. And the other is energy. We’re going to drill, baby drill. After that, I’m not going to be a dictator.’”
7. The Guardian. (2025, February 2). Columbia Student’s Detention Sparks International Outcry. Step 3 Center/Left High Reliability
“Khalil was apprehended by agents from the Department of Homeland Security on Saturday, marking one of President Donald Trump’s initial attempts to deliver on his pledge to deport certain foreign students linked to the pro-Palestinian protest movement.”
8. United States Department of Justice Inspector General’s Brief. (2025, February 5). Analysis of DOJ Firings and “Weaponization” Inquiries. Step 4, Step 10 Center/Neutral High Reliability
“Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove yesterday accused the FBI’s acting leaders of ‘insubordination’ over resisting the request to identify Jan. 6 attack investigators.”
9. Wall Street Journal. (2025, February 7). Shake-up at the DOJ: Ensuring National Security or Settling Scores? Step 4 Center/Right High Reliability
“Nothing has driven Trump with more passion or anger than his connection with the agency. He is resolute in his mission to transform it in ways that will energize the more extreme elements of his supporters—by substituting career officials with loyal allies, by launching inquiries into those who have brought charges against him, and by aligning the Justice Department with conservative interests in the ongoing cultural conflicts.”
10. Brookings Institution White Paper. (2025, February 9). Civilian Oversight Eroded: The Freeze on Police Consent Decrees. Step 5, Step 9 Center/Left High Reliability
The paper discusses the DOJ’s freeze on civil rights investigations and its impact on pending consent decrees, particularly in Louisville and Minneapolis.
11. Heritage Foundation Legal Memo. (2025, February 10). Presidential Authority over Border Deployments and Domestic Security. Step 5 Right High Reliability
The memo outlines the president’s authority to use the U.S. military to protect the southern border and confront threats to national security.
12. Reuters. (2025, February 12). Federal Judge Blocks “End to Birthright Citizenship”; White House Appeals. Step 6 Center High Reliability
“A federal judge yesterday issued a temporary nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s bid to curb birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and foreigners with temporary visas, saying the executive order ‘conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment.’”
13. The Economist. (2025, February 14). Centralizing Power: The Creation of the “Department of Government Efficiency.” Step 6, Step 9 Center High Reliability
“Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees appear to have gained access to at least some Department of Health and Human Services payment and contracting systems, sources say.”
14. NBC News. (2025, February 16). “I Am Your Warrior”: Trump’s Growing Cult of Personality in Washington. Step 7 Center/Left High Reliability
The article discusses Trump’s increasing personalization of power and his self-portrayal as a warrior for his supporters.
15. Al Jazeera English. (2025, February 18). Trump’s Cultural Flashpoints: Rollback of DEI and Transgender Protections. Step 8 Center High Reliability
“Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing (Executive Order 14151), directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ‘coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear.’”
16. Project 2025 Policy Manual (Conservative Coalition). (2023). Strategic Blueprint for the Next GOP Administration. Step 9, Step 10 Right Medium Reliability
The manual outlines conservative policy recommendations for various areas of government, including environmental regulation, energy policy, and federal workforce management.
17. Amnesty International Briefing. (2025, February 20). Criminalizing Protest and Expanding Military Powers Domestically. Step 9, Step 10 Left High Reliability
The briefing discusses concerns about increasing restrictions on the right to protest and the militarization of domestic law enforcement.
18. Associated Press. (2025, February 22). Multiple Federal Prosecutors Fired: A Timeline of Purges. Step 10 Center High Reliability
“On January 20th, immediately after President Donald Trump took office, the administration fired four career officials in the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EIOR), including the Chief Immigration Judge and the EOIR’s acting Director.”
19. New York Times. (2025, February 23). Pardons, Firings, and National Guard Mobilizations: Tracking the First Month. Step 2, Step 10 Center/Left High Reliability
“More than 40,000 federal workers have accepted the Trump administration’s resignation offer so far, an Office of Personnel Management official said yesterday.”
20. Le Monde. (2025, February 25). Les États-Unis à un Tournant Autoritaire? (Are the United States at an Authoritarian Turning Point?) Step 1–Step 10 Center/Left High Reliability
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the first month of Trump’s second term, questioning whether the U.S. is moving towards authoritarianism.
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Expanded Example:
If I detailed every illegal and unethical act by this administration over the past 53 days, this post would be ten times longer. Instead, here’s just one example—media control and censorship. When governments silence dissent and flood the airwaves with propaganda, the truth disappears. Stalin did it, Goebbels perfected it, and today, it’s happening again. When people can’t access real information, they can’t make real choices. That’s not just bad policy—it’s the foundation of tyranny.
How to Become a Dictator, Step 3: Control Communication
Since returning to the White House in 2025, President Trump has intensified his efforts to control and suppress media freedom. His administration has implemented concrete measures to restrict press access, intimidate journalists, and manipulate the information landscape.
Trump issued an executive order on his first day back in office, instructing that no federal officer, employee, or agent may unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen. This order, aimed at dismantling what Trump calls government “censorship,” also directs the attorney general to investigate how federal government actions during the Biden administration could have infringed on free speech [Star Tribune, Feb 12, 2025].
The administration has taken unprecedented steps to limit media access to government institutions. The White House ended the long-standing practice of allowing the independent White House Correspondents’ Association to select pool reporters, instead handpicking journalists themselves. Trump has maintained his hostile rhetoric toward mainstream press outlets, continuing to brand critical media as “fake news” and favoring friendly platforms for public communication [Fox News Town Hall, Jan 10, 2025].
Trump has escalated his attacks on media outlets through threats and legal action. He has repeatedly threatened to revoke broadcast licenses of networks he deems “fake news,” stating, “I think ABC took a big hit last night. I mean, to be honest, they’re a news organization. They have to be licensed to do it. They oughta take away their license for the way they do that” [Press Conference, Mar 15, 2025]. The administration has filed lawsuits against multiple media outlets, including CBS, ABC, and The Des Moines Register.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been weaponized to investigate and pressure media organizations. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr sent a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger, accusing ABC of contributing to an “erosion in public trust” [CNN, Apr 2, 2025]. The administration has also begun giving private “policy briefings” to select far-right networks and social media influencers.
These actions have created a chilling effect on journalism, leading to self-censorship and compromises. ABC settled a defamation suit with Trump for $15 million, and CBS’s parent company is reportedly in settlement talks. Major news organizations like The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times faced backlash for postponing presidential endorsements.
Trump’s media control strategy extends to federal agencies as well. The administration has reportedly suppressed federal agency statistics in politically sensitive areas such as crime, immigration, climate change, and public health. Several agencies have been ordered to halt the public release of certain datasets that contradict the administration’s preferred narratives [Washington Post, May 5, 2025].
These actions collectively demonstrate a concerted effort by the Trump administration to undermine press freedom and control the flow of information, posing a significant threat to democratic norms and institutions in the United States. As Katherine Jacobsen of the Committee to Protect Journalists noted, “It’s about controlling the narrative and making sure that the journalists and the public more broadly are aware of how the White House feels about their reporting” [New York Times, Jun 1, 2025].
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