TRUMP IS A THREAT TO EVERYONE

Trump’s supporters are as much at risk for loss of their freedoms as persons who Trump chooses at any time to define as his political opponents.

In a recent article, The Washington Post wrote that Trump and his allies have begun mapping out plans to use the DOJ to prosecute his political enemies and his own former officials. Trump’s plans include deportation raids, tariffs and mass firings.

Trump has characterized his political opponents as “vermin” and has promised to “root them out” using the FBI and military.

What is the boundary for Trump to define his “vermin”? Who is immune? Current immigrants? Citizens whose ancestors were immigrants? Democrats? Independents? You? Me?

Trump’s extreme rhetoric echoes the words of fascist dictators like Hitler and Mussolini. Would Trump eventually set up bureaucratic boards and kangaroo courts to process his vermin toward deportation, incarceration or ultimately gas chambers?

The German legislature (read GOP) passed enabling acts granting Hitler the power to make laws and rule by decree. Opposition political parties were dissolved or outlawed. Nazi control of Germany resulted in normalizing anti-Semitism and loss of civil liberties for Hitler’s political opponents. Step by step the German people became victims of Hitler’s maniacal madness.

Could it happen here? It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. If Trump’s former cabinet members and officials are not themselves immune from Trump’s wrath, isn’t anyone who supported Trump at one time or another also subject to Trump’s whims?

Trump’s threat to democracy is a threat to everyone — even his current supporters.