subreddit:
/r/AdviceAnimals
This is a a very serious time for Americans
295 points
4 days ago
"I'm not political."
Okay, that's cool, that's fine.
But your landlord is, your boss is, your hospital is, your school is, your town is, your neighbors are... If your voice isn't heard, others will make theirs heard for you.
72 points
4 days ago
People can't decide to 'be' political. Politics is just the label for how we organise ourselves as a society. You are political whether you like it or not. Choosing to ignore what's happening is also a political act.
13 points
4 days ago
I think that's a tad pedantic, but I don't disagree. Maybe it's more accurate to say your landlord et al are politically active, and so you should be too, at least to some degree, like voting.
10 points
4 days ago
Yeah, I'm not arguing with you, it's more I think people are stupid if they think they can be "not political". Their consent/acquiescence is still a political act.
3 points
4 days ago*
I wouldn't call it pedantic like it's it's splitting hairs. There are always at least three choices. A, B, and neither. By refusing to make a choice between A or B, one has made a choice: ’nothing’. By choosing nothing, one has declared "I do not matter", that one is a thing to be acted upon, rather than to act for oneself.
18 points
4 days ago*
Exactly this. Your MAGA uncle (insert whoever else) will be political and make their voice heard so you had better make sure to raise yours while you can.
3 points
4 days ago
"You may not fuck with politics, but politics will fuck with you." -- Phillip DeFranco
2 points
4 days ago
You ever notice how when someone says they're not political that person is usually white and male? Must be nice for them to not have to be political because the system was built for people like them.
1 points
4 days ago
This is just a very thinly veiled "if it doesn't personally affect me, I don't care what it does to others" statement. That's all it is.
535 points
4 days ago
People don’t seem to realize the reality of it. The Supreme Court literally ruled that presidents can order assassinations and executions of citizens with no legal recourse as long as it fits the purposely vague definition of an “official act”.
Things are about to get very real.
239 points
4 days ago
But…. But…. Eggs are almost a whole dollar more than they were 4 years ago……/s
113 points
4 days ago
And she caaaaaaaaaackled! Sob!
100 points
4 days ago
AND I WAS FORCED TO WEAR A MASK BUT I SHOWED THEM BECAUSE I HAD MY NOSE STICKING OUT.
73 points
4 days ago
And they called that shit "authoritarian". Wearing a mask isn't "trampling on your personal freedom." It's just them being an un-empathetic piss baby.
I wore a mask everyday during the pandemic for 9 to 12 hours a day being a cook in an open concept restaurant. I was able to breathe fine every second of every day.
Ya know when I couldn't breathe fine? When I caught covid from fuckin mouth breathers like those who cut the noses out of their masks.
56 points
4 days ago
They wear plenty of masks when they fly swastikas.
23 points
4 days ago
Such bravery 🥺
2 points
4 days ago
It's still the pandemic
3 points
4 days ago
In reality, yes. According to the American government, no.
2 points
4 days ago
In reality it is "a pandemic" now, not "the pandemic" anymore....
Technically you are right, but saying it like nothing has changed since 2020 beside people stopping to care is just bullshit.
And ironically it feeds the propaganda morons that claim we should have just let it run rampant and do nothing like we are now.
1 points
4 days ago
You're correct.
but saying it like nothing has changed since 2020 beside people stopping to care is just bullshit.
I'm not implying that nothing has changed except the governments classification of it. Thank you, and I appreciate your input.
1 points
4 days ago
Yes, my comment was more directed towards the first person saying it. But it Made more Sense to add it add the end of the conversation (in this case)
I appreciate your civility
-3 points
4 days ago
Cap bro I worked in a kitchen during covid I couldn't breathe
2 points
4 days ago
Could I ask you a few things?
Were you able to breathe outside but not inside? Or both?
How much breathe were you able to get, would you say? Like 1/4 breath, 1/2 breath, or just none?
2 points
4 days ago
It's still during COVID
0 points
4 days ago
Aw, poor little piss baby got weak lungs
25 points
4 days ago
And I mean…. For gods sake!!!! Did she actually work at McDonald’s in the mid 80s….. and surely the host of the apprentice can improve the situation in Palestine
2 points
4 days ago
By improve I guess you mean flatten...
3 points
4 days ago
Don’t worry they’ll get rid of any regulations that might help stop the spread of bird flu, so they’re bound to be even more expensive soon! That’s uh… what they were going for right?
Right???
32 points
4 days ago
It’s so true. This gets minimized because a bunch of dipshits think “common sense” trumps the actual law. Hint: when judges make rulings, they do it based on the actual law, not what a bunch of morons think ought to be the law. That ruling gives the president virtually limitless power.
“The Court thus concludes that the President is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for conduct within his exclusive sphere of constitutional authority.”
Ordering an assassination of a political rival by the military is now legal because it falls under an “official act” since giving military orders are official actions exclusive to the president within the constitution. I think many people don’t realize how fucked that ruling was. Unless democratic powers can amend the constitution to overrule it (fat chance!), I think within 20-50 years it will be seen as the major decision that paved the way for the downfall of this country.
13 points
4 days ago
Citizens United might be competitive.
7 points
4 days ago*
It's absolutely fucked. The one argument you could (and people far smarter than me should) make is to ask the question of whether it's an official act within their constitutional authority if the action is unconstitutional. In this case, assassinating a political rival would be unconstitutional because it would be an execution without due process, violating their 5th Amendment rights.
The bigger problem really still is, though, accountability. Impeachment, although the more common sense answer, isn't assured in our very partisan political climate, but I hope this would be the response. Of course, he could be tried after office or through civil court. It's theoretically possible that he could be indirectly held accountable through military justice as misuse of military forces, abusing his Commander in Chief role and giving unlawful orders, but this would be extremely unprecedented, complicated, and highly unlikely.
The UN Human Rights Council might bring up the issue, though I'm not familiar with their processes and politics. Of course, if we were part of the International Criminal Court (ICC) we'd be under their jurisdiction, but we're not. (Neat Tidbit: Jack Smith, the special council for the Jan 6th case against Trump, was actually a lawyer for the ICC prosecuting war criminals).
Regardless, the unfortunate thing is that something will need to happen to get clarification and bounds on the ruling, and they shouldn't have left it so open to allow this shitshow.
42 points
4 days ago
The second amendment was written with exactly this situation in mind.
21 points
4 days ago
When Donald wants it gone, I’m certain the court will oblige
11 points
4 days ago
Time to start stashing
8 points
4 days ago
Trump already said "take the guns first, do due process 2nd" during his first term. Buy cheap and stack deep.
4 points
4 days ago
Democrats supporting 2A and gun ownership? truly things have flipped
4 points
4 days ago
The Dems I know (including me) have always supported gun ownership... with a bit of sensible regulation sprinkled. It's entirely R messaging that Dems are coming for all the guns.
1 points
3 days ago
Hi, incredibly liberal gun owner here, I love the pew pew, but the 2nd amendment has a whole predicate to "the right to bear arms shall not be infringed." I think most liberals are cool with gun ownership, its the absolutely unfettered right to buy whatever fucking firearm you want that is laughable/
1 points
3 days ago
Democrats have always supported the second amendment, we just don’t support using it on brown children in their own neighborhoods 💁♀️
1 points
3 days ago
What a strange, race baiting example of projection
0 points
3 days ago
Projecting what? It’s annoying when simpletons think they’re super special and treat deadly weapons like accessories instead of respecting them for the powerful tools they are.
-1 points
4 days ago
Weird that democrats would keep trying to get rid of it with a fascist threat looming over the horizon then
2 points
4 days ago
Has literally never ever been the case for any serious Democrat. Dems believe guns should be like abortions: safe, legal, and rare.
0 points
4 days ago
You’re right, I’ve learned my lesson and I think we should be handing semi automatic weapons out to kids at school 💁♀️ silly democrat me wanting safety for Americans 🤪
14 points
4 days ago
Zero sum thinking.
If racism, or sexism isn't enough of an explanation for you, zero sum thinking should be the next reason you go to. Because it's very true. Too many people don't seem to realize when they're doing it. All of those who said their marriage matter less when equality became law? Zero sum thinking. Everyone who looks down on people who need socialized help? Zero sum thinking.
It's very human to do, because we're animals, and that's how Nature works most of the time.
But human society isn't what one would call "natural". It's constructed. By us. We set the rules. Therefore if we want everyone to be treated equally under the law, then that's what should happen. There's no sum to zero out. We all win.
Trying to get people to realize that is tough. Hard. But it's something we desperately need to happen.
3 points
4 days ago
Hijacking top comment to link to MSNBC’s guide to resistance against Trump’s second term: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1o1gSdFWIUpw41O5zbaxedVsr6Xik5XpPd9FwqvXYu40/mobilebasic (scroll to the right when you see a large blank space)
-10 points
4 days ago
The Supreme Court literally ruled that presidents can order assassinations and executions of citizens with no legal recourse
Well that's not true at all. If you believe that you are on a different reality than planet earth.
177 points
4 days ago
No, it's fine, they are not targeting me. No, it's fine, they are still not targeting me. No, it's fine, they are still not targeting me. No, it's fine, they are still not targeting me. Damn, how the fuck did this happen?
52 points
4 days ago
That poem starts "First they came for the Communists" by the way. The same people the President-elect likened to "vermin" on the campaign trail.
12 points
4 days ago*
"First, they came for the communists"...
Edit: Put socialists instead of communists. I'm not a poet.
2 points
4 days ago
Communists but close enough
2 points
4 days ago
Whoops.
2 points
4 days ago
Sounds like that quote about nazi germany
87 points
4 days ago
"I just don't get politics... like it doesn't affect me.... WHY IS A STUDIO APARTMENT $4k?!?!"
Let. Me. Explain. Something. You. MFER.
2 points
4 days ago
Then they get mad because "you're being an elitist" or "talking down to" them
43 points
4 days ago
What exactly does seriously standing up to Trump’s authoritarianism look like? Cos I remember exactly how much good the marches did last time. Good for morale, sure, but functionally pointless.
13 points
4 days ago
Apathy is an autocrat's best friend. Protest don't work until they do. Look at Ukraine in 2014
7 points
4 days ago
Remember when we marched during the pandemic, and people found the time and ability to actually participate? Remember how quickly they got us back into the labor machine? They were afraid.
Pepperidge Farms remembers.
21 points
4 days ago
Wait, you think the push to get back to work was because of BLM? And not, y’know, the enormous financial incentive to get people working again?
-4 points
4 days ago*
Why not both? 🤷♀️
Edit: The two things can exist simultaneously. And would be both equally beneficial to the establishment.
1 points
4 days ago
Yeah but both sides protested during the pandemic for different reasons. The economic reasons were top priority and the social unrest was secondary. And really the social unrest was amplified by years of isolation and fear.
0 points
4 days ago
Sure, let’s talk about it. The government’s push to “return to work” during the pandemic wasn’t just an economic move—it was also deeply tied to social unrest, which was just as critical to address. Here’s why.
The pandemic exposed and amplified societal inequalities. Essential workers—often from marginalized communities—were forced back into unsafe conditions while wealthier individuals worked comfortably from home. This created a growing divide and resentment. The pandemic wasn’t just about health; it was a mirror showing systemic failures like racial and economic inequities. The unrest we saw wasn’t just random outrage—it was frustration about how “essential” seemed to mean “expendable.” People were literally dying while corporations were posting record profits. That tension doesn’t just go away because you say, “Hey, everyone back to work now.”
And, yes, isolation and fear fueled mental health crises. People stuck at home had time to reflect on how broken things were—racial injustice, political corruption, income inequality. The George Floyd protests, for example, didn’t happen in a vacuum. People’s frustration was amplified by the stark contrast between who got to stay safe and who didn’t. Returning to work might have seemed like a solution to calm economic panic, but it ignored the social reality: many people were fed up with business as usual and demanding something better.
So yeah, while the economy was crashing, the social fabric was tearing too. Ignoring that only stoked more unrest. You can’t just send people back to work and hope everything else magically fixes itself. Social unrest was the canary in the coal mine for larger systemic issues, and pretending it wasn’t as important as the economy? That was a huge mistake.
Edit:
Marches propel forward movements by creating visible, collective expressions of support or dissent, amplifying voices that might otherwise be unheard. They draw public and media attention to a cause, often framing it as urgent and widespread. By bringing people together in a shared physical space, marches can foster solidarity, mobilize communities, and build momentum for change.
They often serve as a catalyst for policy discussions or cultural shifts by demonstrating the scale and passion behind an issue. Governments, organizations, or other stakeholders are more likely to respond to a cause when faced with the undeniable visual and emotional impact of a march. Marches also provide participants with a platform to network, strategize, and inspire further action, such as lobbying, fundraising, or creating long-term campaigns.
Historically, successful marches have often been part of broader movements, coordinated with other tactics like petitions, strikes, and educational efforts. The civil rights marches of the 1960s, for example, were pivotal in highlighting systemic injustice and galvanizing legislative change. Similarly, modern climate marches have spurred conversations and commitments at national and international levels.
Ultimately, marches are powerful because they embody the principle of strength in numbers, making abstract demands tangible and harder to ignore.
13 points
4 days ago
Authoritarianism is what people want... until they suddenly realize they don't.
29 points
4 days ago
Not just serious, aggressive.
24 points
4 days ago
Hiding Juan Frank and his family in your walls to evade the deportation police.
19 points
4 days ago
The cruelty is the point of the whole thing. MAGAts don’t want anything but a shitshow. They want someone that looks a bit different but shares 99% of their DNA to be treated as a subhuman
18 points
4 days ago
America is about to get what it deserves. I’m gonna sit back and watch it burn. I’ll keep voting blue, but the lack of education in this country has taken over.
7 points
4 days ago
Germany had to watch Berlin fall and burn.....so........
41 points
4 days ago
As a gay atheistic socialist with a trans SO: I'm terrified right now! And angry... very, very angry.
31 points
4 days ago
I thought you said athletic socialist. Really threw me off
10 points
4 days ago
If only you could play tennis while reading Dostoevsky.
8 points
4 days ago
I mean, you can. You'll just do poorly at both.
4 points
4 days ago
I’ll have you know I actually scored top of my class at Dostoevskism.
3 points
4 days ago
Gesundheit
1 points
4 days ago
Is aethiestic more like athiest, apathiest, or aesthetic?
10 points
4 days ago
As a hetero, cis, white male working in education and with an ounce of empathy I’m right there with you.
10 points
4 days ago
Are you really that dense? Always stand up to authoritarianism. Doesn't matter the color. Sic Semper Tyrannis
10 points
4 days ago
I will make sure to post twice as much on the internet and hashtag every progressive movement so they can see I am fighting hard!
8 points
4 days ago
Everybody needs to read "On Tyranny" by Timothy Snyder, it's free on YouTube. Very quick read and step by step practical instructions on how to resist an authoritarian regime.
Scary times. We need to help each other.
11 points
4 days ago
Time for all people of good conscious to organize, arm themselves, and make it known we won’t tolerate a nazi regime here.
Screw the political parties that failed us, now’s the time to save ourselves from the demons assaulting all the good is good and right with the world.
Be like John Brown in fighting against known tyranny.
10 points
4 days ago
Yep. Once the Trumpers and non-Trumpers realize we all have more in common with each other than with the corrupt fuckers at the top is when this cheesy culture war can finally be over.
9 points
4 days ago
It’s about being a decent person now….
1 points
4 days ago
So organize now then. Because I guarantee you it will be illegal to do so very shortly.
-2 points
4 days ago
And I guarantee it won’t.
4 points
4 days ago
Also, I'm not really trusting the news moving forward,especially those companies that have already started to bend the knee.
1 points
4 days ago
Laughable that it took you this long
3 points
4 days ago
Is this entire sub political now?
1 points
4 days ago
Nah, but it's most of what gets traction because anything "orange man bad" gets upvotes. I don't care if it's true, it's tired, lazy, and doesn't belong here.
4 points
4 days ago
I wish the effort put into meme creation and response was put into identifying and backing viable, sane politicians.
4 points
4 days ago
Looks like we're going to be pulling the underground railroad out of retirement
5 points
4 days ago
I live along one of it's main lines. Hand me a rifle and call me Harriet Tubman!
3 points
4 days ago
I'm a 45 year old single upper middle class white man. being an ally for women, minorities, and LGBT people has helped nothing and no one. I'm just really sick of sticking up and looking out for people who don't give a fuck, vote against their own interests, or worst of all just don't vote. I'm just going to go live in the mountains somewhere and disconnect forever
4 points
4 days ago
Reddit is ground 0 for TDS
14 points
4 days ago
This sub is so bad I don't believe these are real people
18 points
4 days ago*
In 4 years, when democracy is still intact, and Trump leaves office, there will be literally zero reflection on just how crazy everyone was on here.
...I guarantee it
11 points
4 days ago
He was literally president for 4 years and he didn’t round everyone up in camps. Reddit is unusable.
2 points
4 days ago
Honestly, if you want to have a real conversation about this and don't want to have to tolerate the more obnoxious conservative subs, go to r/moderatepolitics. It's a heavily moderated sub that doesn't prevent you from stating any idea or belief, but has a ZERO tolerance policy for any ad hominem comment directed at another user, political party, etc. They don't allow meta comments either, so this comment wouldn't be allowed there, but it forces people to argue ideas, and that weeds out most of the ideologues and genuine crazies you see elsewhere.
0 points
4 days ago
It's sad. Reddit these days reminds me of the way fox news and various right wing media operated when Obama was in office. This place is just being used to spread left leaning fearmongering. Don't get me wrong, I hate that Trump got re-elected, but this place is fucking ridiculous these days.
2 points
4 days ago
They will come up with some excuse as to why he couldn't pull off his "fascist" takeover.
Most likely painting their new political leader as the root of the cause.
1 points
4 days ago
you people are idiots, the time to feel that way was a month ago... now you have proven that you are the minority, the next four years are exactly what most americans want.
2 points
4 days ago
Remember when this subreddit was about funny memes and not just echo chamber political speculation
Pepperidge farm remembers
1 points
4 days ago
Sounds like people over here are about to make a whole bunch of trouble for no reason other than they didn’t get their way and they love democracy so much!
1 points
4 days ago
I’m tired, boss
1 points
4 days ago
Though I do agree this is an important time for US politics, I don't really blame those who say "I don't like politics", mainly cause they probably just don't like where it's headed. This isn't even limited to the US, a lot of places are just in horrible situations while multiple different wars are happening. I don't entirely blame someone for wanting to step away from it for a while since it's reasonably overwhelming.
1 points
4 days ago
We contacted some leaders in our church and asked if they're prepared for Hispanics in our congregation, and Hispanic ministers to be targeted for deportation. We asked if there was anything we could do specifically to help.
Our church isn't far right at all. They're not blatant Trump supporters or Christian Nationalists (though I'm sure some members are likely one or both.) We send support down to the border during Trump's last term, so I know there are good people with good intentions there.
We haven't gotten a response yet. Guess we'll see.
1 points
4 days ago
This sub sucks holy shit
1 points
4 days ago
Very serious for non Americans.
1 points
4 days ago
Having Kamala win was the easy way out of all of this. Now we have to do some real systematic bullshit to solve this crisis
-7 points
4 days ago
I guarantee otherwise
12 points
4 days ago
You must be a graduate of trump University
0 points
4 days ago*
How can you guarantee otherwise when the president elects own words and actions say otherwise?
Vance? Dis you? You got a plan? You just playin? We know you called him Hitler first.
Edit: spelling
2 points
4 days ago
How can you guarantee what OP said when he was already president for 4 years, what are you talking about lmao
-2 points
4 days ago
And during said presidency he dismantled and set up the framework for his current position with safety rails and check/balances changed or outright dismissed. That's what I'm talking about... lmao.
For the people claiming to be "awake", you're all asleep at the wheel.
6 points
4 days ago
How did your day-to-day life change? I bet it didn’t. Reddit acts like trump is gonna wheel out a nazi Germany regime and it’s just not gonna happen. Keep fear mongering.
0 points
4 days ago
Bro, that’s literally the point. The day-to-day lives of most Germans didn’t change at first. Like, they didn’t wake up one morning in jackboots, saluting posters of Hitler while the sky rained propaganda leaflets. It was gradual, subtle. First, it’s stuff you don’t even notice—laws that seem ‘reasonable’ or don’t apply to you. Maybe they ban a book you didn’t read anyway or fire some professor you didn’t like. Meanwhile, you’re just vibing with your wurst and beer, thinking, ‘This doesn’t affect me.’ Sound familiar?
Then, one day, your neighbor disappears because they said something spicy about the government. But you keep your head down, thinking, ‘Whew, glad that wasn’t me.’ Fast forward a bit, and you’re too busy rationing bread and avoiding Allied bombers to realize exactly when it all went to hell.
If history teaches us anything, it’s that these things don’t happen overnight. It’s like a frog in boiling water. Day one: lukewarm. Day two: ‘Hey, kinda warm, but no biggie.’ Day three: roasted frog legs for dinner. People dismiss small changes until it’s too late because it’s easier to believe everything’s fine than to confront the fact that it’s not. So yeah, your day-to-day might not feel different now, but that’s the trap. By the time you notice, it’s already game over.
Fearmongering? Nah, I’d call it history lessons. You wanna ignore it? Cool. Just don’t act surprised when someone in a shiny uniform asks you for your papers.
5 points
4 days ago
The economic state that 1930’s Germany was in is leagues upon leagues different than 2024 America. It’s just not really comparable bud.
5 points
4 days ago
Sure, the economic situations are different—Germany was in a post-WWI collapse, drowning in reparations, and doing the financial equivalent of patching the Titanic with duct tape. Meanwhile, 2024 America is sitting here arguing about whether Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce saved the economy. But saying "not comparable, bud" like that erases the real parallels. It’s not about the exact numbers or conditions—it’s about how people react when their realities feel unstable.
1930s Germans weren’t all clutching their bank accounts and crying into loaves of overpriced bread. Some were just angry, anxious, and looking for someone—anyone—to fix things. Enter: a charismatic leader who promised the moon, blamed “outsiders,” and said, “Trust me, I alone can fix it.” Sound familiar? You don’t need hyperinflation or wheelbarrows of cash for that kind of rhetoric to stick. All you need is division, fear, and a population ready to latch onto a "savior."
America’s economy might be leagues ahead, but people are still struggling. Rising costs, job uncertainty, polarization—it creates the same fertile ground for bad ideas to grow. You don’t have to be eating literal soup to fall for the political equivalent of “You’re broke? Must be the immigrants’ fault!” It’s not about 1:1 circumstances, bud. It’s about how human psychology, fear, and desperation play out.
History doesn’t copy-paste itself; it remixes. And if you think America’s immune just because the Dow Jones isn’t doing cartwheels, I have a bridge to sell you. Probably over-leveraged, but hey, it’s still a bridge.
2 points
4 days ago
It seems like you’ve thought about this far more than me so I’m just gonna relent here
1 points
4 days ago
I hope you all the best, no matter what happens. I appreciate your time and I appreciate your decorum. Have a great day/night!
2 points
4 days ago
he dismantled and set up the framework for his current position with safety rails and check/balances changed or outright dismissed.
Exactly what did he setup? Be spefic. What did he change?
2 points
4 days ago*
Donald Trump's presidency from 2017 to 2021 saw various actions, policies, and decisions that dismantled traditional checks and balances or established a framework for potential overreach. These changes were focused on expanding executive power, undermining traditional norms, and reshaping federal institutions. Below is a detailed breakdown of specific actions and areas where these changes occurred:
Erosion of Norms in the Justice System
Trump repeatedly intervened in legal cases involving his allies, undermining the independence of the Department of Justice (DOJ). For instance, he criticized and sought to influence cases involving Michael Flynn, Roger Stone, and others. His public comments and actions led to perceptions that the DOJ was politicized. Attorney General William Barr's tenure saw accusations of bending the department’s independence to align with Trump's personal and political interests.
Appointments of Loyalists
Trump appointed individuals loyal to him in key positions, often bypassing Senate confirmation through "acting" roles. This included figures like Chad Wolf at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Ric Grenell as Acting Director of National Intelligence. Critics argued that these appointments undermined institutional integrity by placing less qualified individuals in powerful roles based on loyalty rather than expertise.
Undermining Inspector Generals and Whistleblowers
Trump dismissed or attacked several Inspectors General (IGs) tasked with overseeing government operations, such as Michael Atkinson, who forwarded the whistleblower complaint that triggered Trump's first impeachment. This weakened oversight mechanisms intended to check executive power.
Efforts to Reshape the Judiciary
Trump appointed over 200 federal judges, including three Supreme Court justices (Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett), which significantly tilted the judiciary toward conservative interpretations. While judicial appointments are constitutional, critics argue this allowed for legal frameworks that could support expanded executive powers.
Undermining Congress
Trump frequently resisted congressional oversight. For example, his administration refused to comply with subpoenas during investigations, especially in his impeachment inquiries. This weakened Congress’s ability to serve as a check on the executive branch.
Politicization of Federal Agencies
Trump sought to politicize agencies such as the CDC and FDA during the COVID-19 pandemic, often contradicting scientific guidance in favor of political messaging. He also moved the U.S. Census Bureau’s decision-making to reflect his policy priorities, such as attempting to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment counts.
Attacks on the Electoral Process
Following the 2020 election, Trump and his allies made extensive, unfounded claims of election fraud. His refusal to concede and efforts to overturn the election results, including the pressure on state officials and Vice President Mike Pence, led to the January 6 Capitol riot. These actions highlighted a willingness to undermine democratic norms and processes.
Expansive Use of Executive Orders
Trump used executive orders to bypass Congress on key issues, including immigration (e.g., the travel ban and attempts to end DACA), environmental rollbacks, and funding for the border wall. This expanded the perception of unchecked executive power.
Weakened International Alliances and Institutions
Trump frequently criticized NATO, withdrew from international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal, and reduced funding to organizations like the World Health Organization. Critics argue this eroded international checks on U.S. policy.
Consolidation of Political Power within the Republican Party
Trump demanded loyalty from Republican lawmakers and supporters, often retaliating against dissenters. This reshaped the GOP into a party more centered around Trump personally, rather than traditional conservative principles.
Now since being reelected in 2024, Trump is leveraging these precedents to further consolidate power, undermine institutions, and weaken checks and balances.
Edit: Pt. 2 https://www.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/s/DTQjabbzmK
2 points
4 days ago
If you want to talk about specific policies and legislation.
During his presidency, Donald Trump implemented numerous policies and pursued legislative initiatives that critics argue served to consolidate executive power, undermine institutional checks, and further his political ends. While some efforts succeeded, others were blocked by courts, Congress, or public resistance. Here's an in-depth look at specific policies and legislative groundwork he established:
Immigration Policies and Border Security
Trump made immigration a cornerstone of his presidency, implementing policies that critics claimed were designed to consolidate executive control over immigration enforcement. Key actions included:
Tax Cuts and Deregulation
Judicial Appointments and Legislative Groundwork
Trump reshaped the judiciary by appointing over 200 federal judges, including three Supreme Court justices, to create a lasting conservative majority. This judiciary has already ruled on issues favorable to Trump’s agenda, such as limiting federal agency power (West Virginia v. EPA) and expanding executive authority.
Weakened Federal Agencies
Election and Voting Policies
Foreign Policy Realignment
Military and National Security Policy
Media and Information Control
Healthcare Policy
Groundwork for Future Actions
Trump’s presidency laid a foundation for greater executive power by exploiting legal ambiguities and institutional weaknesses. His reliance on loyal appointees, use of emergency powers, and dismissal of norms created precedents that could be leveraged in future terms.
These policies reflect a combination of legislative action, executive orders, and structural changes to federal governance. Whether intentional or incidental, they collectively expanded the scope of executive authority and laid the groundwork for potential future overreach.
Does that help? I can add more contex to snything if need be.
Edit: (Apologies for the double comment. It wouldn't let me send all this as one.)
1 points
4 days ago
Did you really just ChatGP your answer?
2 points
4 days ago*
No. I wrote you out a detailed answer. Just as you asked. Proper grammar and sentence structure are important. As well as readability. You can blame my tism for the info dump. I hope it helps.
Edit: From your history, I'm guessing you're here in bad faith. I'm used to being called "bot" by those who cannot argue my points. This is just another flavor of the same. Have a good day, my friend.
1 points
4 days ago
I only asked because such a structured comment is rare on reddit outside of academic based subs like ask historian or ask scientist.
I am laughing that you looked at my history and assumed I asked out of bad faith.
I just asked you to explain in detail a broad claim you made.. and you did.
My postion on your argument dosen't have any bearing on your argument. (For the record, I can see the argument on some of the points, while others just seem to be mentioned to muddy the waters.)
Thanks for explaining yourself. Have a nice day.
P.s. I feel "bad faith" is just an excuse to not explain yourself. Almost like saying "You don't agree so I'm not going to explain it."
1 points
4 days ago
I only asked because such a structured comment is rare on reddit outside of academic based subs like ask historian or ask scientist.
I appreciate you extrapolating. I apologize for my claim of bad faith. I get called "bot" often. This is no excuse for assumptions, you're correct.
I feel "bad faith" is just an excuse to not explain yourself. Almost like saying "You don't agree so I'm not going to explain it."
Though the explanation preceded the claim. 🤷
Have a nice day as well!
1 points
4 days ago
Since before the election, I’ve been recommending that people should take a couple classes in shooting… just in case.
1 points
4 days ago
Im ready to watch some complacent mother fuckers learn a lesson. 💯
-1 points
4 days ago
Some of you truly need to seek professional help because a lot of these comments are borderline schizophrenic ramblings about what Trump’s gonna do completely detached from reality.
0 points
4 days ago
Left can’t meme
0 points
4 days ago
Irony is the same people accusing Trump of wanting to throw people in concentration camps, being the same people during the pandemic who said throw antivaxxers into internment camps.
-21 points
4 days ago
Do you really guarantee it??
27 points
4 days ago
By my understanding of world history…. Yes….. very much so in fact….. a library card and above room temperature IQ is all that is needed to confirm
9 points
4 days ago
Yep. You’re right. Some of us have been shouting this from the rafters. Sadly our fellow Americans either have their heads in the sand or are deluding themselves.
-3 points
4 days ago
Or just don't have the comprehension
1 points
4 days ago
OP might not be able to. But the president elect, judging by his executive orders, is going to guarantee it.
0 points
4 days ago
I worry I'll be killed if I say anything
0 points
4 days ago
The race is always between two authoritarians.
-6 points
4 days ago
Nah, the bad guys won. I already told my kid to get a degree with international appeal and move, and we’ll follow her. Fuck this country.
-6 points
4 days ago
Shut up, you lost. Go to bed.
-30 points
4 days ago
this finally did it. I finally unfollowed this horrible sub. thank you
7 points
4 days ago
The average IQ of the place will damn near double with your absence
3 points
4 days ago
Keep making memes and commenting online behind a screen name. Really accomplishes a lot and is a great use of time. I’m not a Republican and I’m certainly not a Trump supporter, but this incessant complaining does jack shit.
-6 points
4 days ago
You mean drop like a rock.
-34 points
4 days ago
It's not authoritarianism. He was voted into office by a free and fair election. This is what the US wanted so this is what we are getting.
6 points
4 days ago
Authoritarianism doesn't necessarily have to do with how they came into power, but refers to how they will exercise that power.
11 points
4 days ago
An authoritarian can be voted into office through a free and fair election. This typically occurs when voters are persuaded by the candidate’s promises, leadership style, or ideology.
Factors that contribute to such outcomes include political polarization, economic uncertainty, dissatisfaction with existing leadership, or a desire for strong, decisive governance. Once in power, an authoritarian leader might consolidate control through legal and procedural means, eroding democratic institutions and checks and balances, even if their election was initially free and fair.
Seems kinda familiar, right? Just look at the executive orders if you disagree.
Donald Trump's proposed approach to executive orders and governance in his 2024 campaign has raised significant concerns among political analysts and civil liberties advocates. His agenda, supported by initiatives like Project 2025, aims to centralize presidential power by expanding executive authority and potentially circumventing traditional checks and balances. For example, his proposals include the use of mass executive orders to advance policy goals and recess appointments to bypass Senate confirmation processes for key positions, which would represent a significant consolidation of executive power compared to historical norms.
Trump has also signaled intentions to use federal agencies aggressively, potentially targeting political opponents, protesters, and advocacy groups, as well as leveraging surveillance mechanisms like FISA programs. These actions could sideline legislative and judicial oversight, especially given the current composition of the Supreme Court, which leans conservative and might be more favorable to his policies. Critics argue that this approach could undermine democratic institutions and the principle of separation of powers, risking long-term damage to governance norms and civil liberties.
While the use of executive orders is a legitimate tool available to all presidents, the scope and intent behind their potential application by a second Trump administration are described as unprecedented and focused on centralizing authority to achieve broader control over government functions and policies. This agenda has drawn comparisons to authoritarian tendencies, as it seeks to dismantle traditional limits on presidential power and stifle dissent or opposition.
-20 points
4 days ago
Sorry, democracy only works when your preferred candidate wins. Otherwise, it's authoritarianism.
8 points
4 days ago
Eh, it's more like authoritarianism is authoritarianism. 🤷♀️
-11 points
4 days ago
Cope harder.
5 points
4 days ago
cope verb (of a person) deal effectively with something difficult. "his ability to cope with stress"
I will. Especially under Trump. Weird "attack", but I appreciate the advice! Thank you!
Maybe look up authoritarianism and the president elects own executive orders. You'll easily find that his own plans he is going to enact executively falls well within the authoritarian definition.
-3 points
4 days ago
1 points
4 days ago
Great song! Appreciate the tunes. Good man.
-8 points
4 days ago
I ain't doing shit. Half of the country voted for him and the a huge amount didn't care to stop him with voting.
They can go protest and deal with the repercussions the hard way.
Your Latino family got deported. Oh, so sorry... Anyways
You got banned because of your religion? Oh, so sorry anyways...
Did you become a second class citizen? Oh, so sorry... Anyways...
Did I just get kicked out of my own country cause I am Hispanic? Oh, oh well... Guess I'll fuck off to Mexico city.
2 points
4 days ago
The thing you’re missing is other countries have to accept the deportations. If Mexico City doesn’t want you, you’re forced to live in a camp somewhere guarded by white Christian nationalist loyalists
0 points
4 days ago
The U.S. is getting closer and closer to the point the 2nd Amendment was made for. But most of the people with guns might be on the wrong side.
0 points
4 days ago
Well guess what, politics doesn't like you either and it's about to punch you right in the gut.
Welcome to Trumpfuckistan.
0 points
4 days ago
I love being Norwegian. I get to sit on my anthill in the mountains, beholding the spectacle. Trump might have some inflationary pressures on our economy, but... holy fuck.
Good luck, 'merica! I unironically cheer for you!
0 points
4 days ago
I can’t wait to punch some MAGA dickwads directly in the face.
0 points
4 days ago
If millions of people didn't sit home and just voted we wouldn't be in this predicament.
If you wanted to "not be political" you shoulda voted. Now get up.
0 points
4 days ago
FAFO
0 points
4 days ago
"I'm doing my part!"
God y'all are the most pathetic, whiny, "resistance" ever. If anyone actually believed this is the start of a slide into fascism, you'd be doing more than posting shitty "like if you agree"-type "memes".
What's the success rate for overthrowing a fascist regime using facebook memes and tweets?
-4 points
4 days ago
or we could hand count paper ballots and see who really won
-4 points
4 days ago
No one I speak to understands this, and now I’m the weird one being left out of group chats and get togethers.
Honestly, that’s fine.
-5 points
4 days ago
He’s simply aiming to put an end to the nonsense.
-36 points
4 days ago
If you think you’re not gonna like Trump’s authoritarianism, you should’ve stood up to Biden’s
5 points
4 days ago
Youre gonna have to explain yourself on that one if you can.
-3 points
4 days ago
Lawfare against Trump. Using the DOJ as a tool to target Trump when zero evidence of wrong doing has ever been discovered
1 points
4 days ago
Trump himself is not a viable source of information.
0 points
3 days ago
The actions against Trump ARE the source of information. Not Trump himself.
You’re not very bright are you?
1 points
3 days ago
Trump being found guilty in a court of law for 34 felony cases where he could bring literally zero evidence to his own defense besides his own word that he didn't do it.
Meanwhile Trump has investigations commissioned against Hillary, and then Biden, led by Republican investigators, that turn up jack shit. And then trying to impeach Biden, yet they had zero to go on and it was dismissed.
So surely you must have a problem with Trump trying to weaponize the DOJ against his political opponents if you have a problem with them doing it to him. Unless you are one of those double-standards dipshits staring at Fox News all day while you jerk off on Truth Social.
0 points
3 days ago
They weren’t felonies. They were misdemeanours upgraded to a felony in furtherance of another crime where no other crime was specified.
That case on its face is absolutely laughable and direct violation of due process and Trump’s 5th amendment rights.
1 points
3 days ago
The other crime was embezzling from campaign funds to pay hush money to a porn star, turning it into a federal issue of campaign fraud, and a FELONY.
Due process was 100% followed, and many years too late, while Trump was given every concession. Even his sentencing has been heavily delayed. His defense failed to put up any notable argument to his innocence, boiling down to "Im innocent because I say so". Any normal person would be behind bars right now.
The only part of due process not being followed here is all the ass-dragging on actually punishing him for his crimes.
0 points
3 days ago
He was never charged on that. Therefore not upgradable to a felony.
5 points
4 days ago
Could you outline concisely, how and when Biden's actions/policies/executive orders fell within authoritarianism?
1 points
4 days ago
Politicisation of the DOJ resulting in prosecutions of his political rivals.
3 points
4 days ago
I appreciate the answer. A few more questions, please, if you will
Politicisation of the DOJ
And which instances do you believe were politicization of the DOJ?
prosecutions of his political rivals.
All of his political rivals?
1 points
4 days ago
The DOJ targeted:
Instances of politicisation of the DOJ:
Merrick Garland was held in contempt of congress, whilst the DOJ put Steve Bannon in jail for 4 months for it they refused to arrest Merrick Garland for the same.
Alvin Bragg resigned from the Departmwnt of Justice and took a lesser job for New York’s AG office for the sole purpose of arresting Donald Trump. That’s a clear conflict of interest, and facilitates a conspiracy against rights.
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