An autocratic future

Steve Bannon and GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz gave us a strong preview of what they would like to happen if Trump runs for and wins the presidency in 2024. During a “War Room” podcast Bannon and Gaetz discussed a proTrump strategy to take full control of the government should the former president win. Bannon previously stated to NBC News, “We’re going to have a sweeping victory in 2022, and that’s just the preamble to a sweeping victory in 2024, and this time we’re going to be ready—and have a MAGA perspective, MAGA policies, not the standard Republican policies. … If you’re going to take over the administrative state and deconstruct it, then you have to have shock troops prepared to take it over immediately.”

During the podcast he said, “This is Trumpism in power. That’s when we went to the 4,000 shock troops we have to have that’s going to man the government. Get them ready now. Right? We’re going to hit the beach with the landing teams and the beachhead teams and all that nomenclature they use when President Trump wins in 2024—or before.” Bannon said the 4,000 shock troops would become political appointees.

GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz added, “Sometimes you’ve got to raise your voice to raise a ruckus and to raise an army of patriots who love this country and will fight for her. We’re going to operationalize the performance to go right after the people who are imposing the vaccine mandates, who are enriching themselves and who are selling out the country.”

These two conservatives are suggesting the complete purge of a constitutional government which would be replaced by a Trumpian autocracy. Are they an example of what conservatives now call patriots? With the increasing extremism in the GOP, their suggestions could become reality, with the destruction of democracy becoming complete after a Trump victory in 2024.

KENNETH WEBER Greenbrier