A Clear and Present Danger
A self-coup (also known as a coup from the top) is a type of coup d'état in which the duly-elected government attempts to retain or extend power over government via illegal means, through their own efforts and/or those of their supporters.
The process could look a number of ways, including additional or extended terms, expanding executive powers, negating the constitution, and dismantling or restructuring other branches of government. Regardless of the methodology, the administration becomes increasingly authoritarian as the head of state takes on more dictatorial qualities.
Keep that in mind as Trump enjoys broad and unprecedented presidential immunity, granted by a Supreme Court in which conservatives hold a 6-3 majority.
Keep that in mind as Trump disregards the 14th Amendment in his attempt to unilaterally end birthright citizenship.
Keep that in mind as Tennessee Republican Andy Ogles introduces a House bill that would amend the Constitution to allow Trump (and future presidents) to serve a third term, one that luckily -- for the moment at least -- would almost certainly not survive the legislative process and be ratified by the states.
Keep that in mind as Trump and his administration attempt to remove more than 11 million people, detaining up to 30,000 at Guantanamo Bay as they await deportation. Never mind how lacking in humanity, costly to taxpayers, and 100% doomed to fail the so-called “largest deportation operation in U.S. history” may be.
Keep that in mind as we witness the rapid ascension of Trump loyalist Elon Musk, an un-elected government “official,” who has become the second most powerful man in U.S. politics. As we speak, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is staging a hostile takeover of several key government agencies, while ignoring security clearance protocol.
Thousands of employees have been fired or furloughed, and Musk and his cronies have gained unauthorized access to payment and data systems within the Treasury Department. Office of Personnel Management staff have been locked out of the agency’s computer system and it appears that USAID (of which Marco Rubio is now the acting director) is on the verge of an attempted shutdown. In the process, DOGE has acquired the personal information of millions of Americans, including Social Security numbers.
Keep that in mind as the Trump administration executes a witch hunt for those who participated in the January 6th and impeachment investigations. Eight senior FBI executives have already been removed, and Trump’s Department of Justice has demanded a list of thousands of other targeted agents.
This is why it’s so important to stay in the world and be present. Because the stark reality is that this is bad, and it’s going to get worse. The most worrying thing is that we don’t know just how much worse, because the nation is once again in the clutches of a temperamental megalomaniac who has no respect for the rule of law and a vendetta against those who don’t fall in line.
From a Constitutional and legal standpoint, I can tell you about checks and balances and what a president is not supposed to be able to do. However, that provides no comfort in a situation that is without precedent. Not when Trump has virtual immunity from prosecution, a favorable high court, and Republicans control all three branches of government.
I honestly don’t know what comes next. I don’t have the answers, but I do know that now is the time to hold your loved ones close and lean into community. Utilize the skills you have and acquire new ones. Share, learn, build, and grow. Take care of yourselves and take care of each other. Love on each other, because we really are all we got.
And never lose hope, no matter how dark it gets, because in the love of your fellow human, there is light.
Remember: Joy comes in the morning.
No, I don’t have the answers, but I do have a simple request:
“Do not go gentle into that good night.”