The Dark Art of Intimidation: How Dictators Erode Guardrails of Democracy
Dictators don’t just seize power; they secure it by instilling fear, dismantling accountability, and rewarding loyalty. As Donald Trump prepares to assume office again, recent events have made it abundantly clear how he plans to wield power—by targeting military leaders, journalists, members of Congress, and anyone who opposes the regime. These tactics are not new; Trump has repeatedly signaled his intentions. While much attention has been drawn to his controversial and unqualified appointments, a more alarming pattern is occurring. These actions send a stark message: comply with the regime, or face destruction. I have seen the same tactics used in Russia, where dissent is crushed, loyalty is demanded, and power is solidified through fear.
Weaponizing Military Justice
Over the weekend, NBC News revealed that the Trump transition team is reportedly compiling a list to investigate and potentially court-martial senior military officers involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal. This move highlights the regime’s use of intimidation to enforce loyalty, exact retribution, and silence any dissent. The chaotic 2021 withdrawal was undeniably tragic, but the groundwork for it was laid by Trump’s 2020 agreement with the Taliban. To now suggest treason charges against officers who followed orders—despite the flawed execution—distorts justice into a tool of retribution.
This is not about accountability. It’s about sending a warning: dissenters and perceived enemies of the regime, even in the military, will be publicly humiliated and potentially ruined. This move also undermines trust in military leadership, a vital institution for any democracy.
Intimidating Congress
Simultaneously, Trump’s team has threatened Republican senators who might oppose his Cabinet nominees with primaries backed by billionaire Elon Musk. As one senior adviser bluntly put it: “If you are on the wrong side of the vote, you’re buying yourself a primary.”
While some Republican senators were able to withstand this pressure, forcing Matt Gaetz to withdraw his nomination, they won’t be able to do this on a consistent basis. The regime's leverage and threats will only grow stronger, making it harder for any Republicans to stand firm in the face of such intimidation.
This is a textbook authoritarian tactic: eliminating opposition within the ruling party to ensure only unwavering loyalty remains. It directly undermines Congress’s role as a check on executive power, reducing the Senate to little more than a rubber stamp. This is only the beginning, as Trump seeks to eliminate any barriers in Congress to advance his undemocratic and unconstitutional agenda.
Silencing Journalists
When an AP journalist reported that Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, had been flagged as a possible “Insider Threat” due to a tattoo linked to white supremacist groups, the backlash was swift. Vice President-elect JD Vance escalated it by quote-tweeting the journalist, falsely claiming the story was an attack on Christianity—echoing tactics used in Russia to discredit opposition by painting them as enemies of faith and tradition. Vance's intentional move unleashed harassment, forcing the journalist to lock her account. By weaponizing religion and online mobs, Vance’s response unleashed a campaign of intimidation and harassment against a journalist simply doing her job.
This is the playbook of dictators: discredit and attack the media, labeling any criticism as fake news or a personal vendetta. By targeting the reporter, the message to journalists is clear—cover the regime critically at your own peril. Meanwhile, loyal media allies amplify propaganda and drown out dissenting voices.
The Bigger Picture: Destroying Guardrails
These three events—threatening military prosecutions, targeting senators with primaries, and intimidating journalists—are not isolated incidents. Together, they paint a grim picture of how Trump’s regime intends to govern:
Erode Accountability: By targeting military leaders for following lawful orders, the regime seeks to politicize an institution instrumental to America's national security and global stability.
Consolidate Power: Threatening senators with primaries ensures loyalty, silencing dissent and eliminating any meaningful checks on executive authority.
Control the Narrative: Attacking journalists discourages scrutiny, giving the regime free rein to shape public perception unchallenged.
Loyalty and Corruption: A New Normal
In this system, loyalty becomes currency. Regardless of qualifications or past actions, Trump loyalists are rewarded with powerful positions as long as they align with the regime. This isn’t about competence—it’s about advancing the regime’s agenda. Those who remain loyal will be granted power and wealth, while critics will face punishment and exclusion.
The message is clear: comply with the regime, and you will be rewarded; resist, and you will be destroyed.
What’s at Stake
These intimidation tactics are designed to dismantle the guardrails of democracy—independent institutions, free media, and checks on power—leaving a hollowed-out system where dissent is silenced and loyalty is rewarded. They act as a stark warning to those who refuse to comply and a tempting lure for those eager to gain power and profit under an authoritarian regime.
America is at a crossroads. These tactics cannot be normalized and silence is not an option.
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