(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
Democracy at Risk: Why We Must Pay Attention Now [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-06-23
Donald Trump has made it clear he wants a third term—despite the Constitution’s firm two-term limit. He’s even hinted that he has a “trick” to make it happen. I believe that “trick” is unfolding right now, in front of our eyes.
This is not a conspiracy theory. It’s pattern recognition.
Here’s what I see:
The groundwork for martial law is being laid.
Trump has deployed federalized National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to California under a legal pretext—overriding the state’s authority. This looks less like law enforcement and more like a provocation strategy: create chaos, then claim the need to restore order. He’s neutralizing institutional checks.
Courts—including many stacked with Trump appointees—have reversed lower rulings that tried to block these actions. The Senate, under his influence, no longer acts as a check on presidential power. Fear and loyalty are replacing accountability. Press freedom is under assault.
Independent media and journalists face increasing threats, censorship, and disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting truthful reporting. This crippling of the free press erodes the public’s ability to stay informed and hold power accountable. Watchdog institutions are being dismantled.
Agencies and regulatory bodies that once provided checks and balances on corporations and politicians are being weakened or defunded. This erosion removes critical barriers to corruption and abuse of power. He’s testing the limits of what Americans will tolerate.
By normalizing the use of military force domestically, Trump is moving the goalposts. Each small overreach softens public resistance to a larger one. This is how democratic erosion works—it’s gradual, legalistic, and often unnoticed until it’s too late. Too many Americans don’t see what’s happening.
Some are distracted. Some are disillusioned. Others simply cannot believe that a president would sabotage the democratic system itself. But disbelief is not protection. History tells us that strongmen often rise in plain sight—because people refuse to imagine it could happen here.
⚠️ This is a warning, not a prediction.
I’m not saying Trump will succeed in staying in power illegally. I’m saying he’s creating the conditions that would allow it. And if we ignore that, we risk losing more than just an election. We risk the foundation of American democracy itself.
This isn’t about left vs. right. It’s about power vs. principle. And right now, power is winning.
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/6/23/2329588/-Democracy-at-Risk-Why-We-Must-Pay-Attention-Now?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
