Authoritarianism, The K Center and the Smithsonian

 

Aug 14, 2025 (206/1461)

We toss around the word fascist, authoritarian, dictator. What are the actual signs and actions TOM has taken that justify the use of these terms? Full article here  https://mezha.net/eng/bukvy/donald-trump-s-second-term-seven-authoritarian-moves-and-their-impact/ but some highlights: (lowlights?)

“1) Internal military intervention and mobilization - This raised questions about the boundaries between police, the National Guard, and the Army in domestic affairs.

2) Tariff policy as a tool of power - He spoke of extraordinary powers in areas that, in the United States, belong to Congress, and often altered the conditions for negotiations with other countries.

3) Investigations into political opponents - Such actions created the impression of using legal mechanisms as tools of political pressure and demonstrated a willingness to respond to criticism with the force of legal procedures.

4) Politicization of government data - Such actions (firing head of BLS) created the impression of using legal mechanisms as tools of political pressure and demonstrated a willingness to respond to criticism with the force of legal procedures.

5) Influence on institutions and their concessions - This created a sense that the tools of the branches of government are ready to bow to the president’s policy, rather than to strict rules and independent judgment. (re: TOM going after colleges and universities)

6) Defying the legislative branch on TikTok - Congress passed legislation with broad support, and the Supreme Court upheld the decision. Nevertheless, the president sometimes continued to act outside the statutory process, demonstrating an intent to control tech platforms and national security threats regardless of the parliament’s or courts’ decisions.

7) Violations of due process in deportation cases - The use of emergency legal provisions for rapid deportations, instances of disregarding court orders to return migrants, and other actions cast doubt on the adherence to the fundamental principles of fair trial and the rule of law.”

“Such trends, on the one hand, may seem effective for rapid crisis response, but on the other hand, raise the risk of constraining democratic procedures, diminishing the independence of institutions, and weakening the system of checks and balances.” And yet, nothing is being done to stop this. At some point. Someone with the cajónes to do so, must walk into the Oval and tell TOM his time is up. Whether it be the Joint Chiefs, the Cabinet(hahahaha, never ever), the MAGA faction that is up in arms about the Epstein case (how convenient that Putin is helping TOM put that in the rearview mirror); or the best ever would be SCOTUS (again hahahahah never ever) someone has the ability and the agency to do so. Bullies are going to bully. Stand up to a bully and they cower. Because at the end of the day, TOM is truly a coward.

The other sideshow that has been playing out in DC aside from the military takeover is the cultural takeover that TOM has unleashed on the town. “He was standing on the plush, red-carpeted grand foyer of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, unveiling his own personal choices for the next class of Kennedy Center honorees. He also announced his plans to host the award ceremony himself, and then began to hold forth more generally about the nature of show business and his own tortured relationship with celebrity.” I know these artists all support him so they will show up, but I would love to see an honoree decline just because. Just because it’s TOM. ““Since 1978, the Kennedy Center honors have been among the most prestigious awards in the performing arts,” he said before a small group of top aides, Kennedy Center employees and a bank of television cameras. “I wanted one. I was never able to get one. It’s true, I would have taken it if they would’ve called me. I waited and waited and waited, and I said to hell with it, I’ll become chairman, and I’ll give myself an honor. Next year we’ll honor Trump, OK?” Insert puking face emoji. K Center Honor for TOM FOR WHAT?!?! You have no talents other than wreaking havoc upon all who walk the earth.

Part 2 is the Smithsonian. The largest museum in the world. “This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions,” senior associate staff secretary Lindsey Halligan, Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought wrote in the letter. The review aims to adjust not only the museums’ public exhibitions, planning and curation, but also narrative standards and collection use.” It would’ve been shorter just to state: “We’re rewriting history and falsifying all of it.”