Deranged chaos agent RFK Jr recently went on a propaganda podcast and admitted that he’s not scared of germs because he used snort cocaine off of toilet seats. We went from actual medical professionals leading US Health to this demented repugnant asshole wanting to kill us all.

“.. using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought ..” @reuters.com www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...

Well well well

Saboteurs: Wrecking the US for generations by contributing to the spread of disease.

Sometimes very hard not to feel like the rest of the country has abandoned Minnesota. We STILL have ICE everywhere. Our schools, businesses, and economy are in profound crisis. But without Bovino here throwing tear gas, much of the country seems to not care at all what’s being done to us.

This must be the beginning, not the end, of refashioning ICE, Border Control, and DHS. What meaningful reforms can they get passed in the short run to save lives, reduce terror inflicted on mostly Hispanic and Black communities, and protect constitutional rights? open.substack.com/pub/contrari...

Oligarchs usually operate outside government. But under the Trump administration, they moved inside — accelerating the dismantling of the civil service by using anti-democratic tactics.

Benito is a threat b/c he makes art so alluring and enjoyable you want to understand everything about it and then you end up learning about sugar and slavery and colonialism and the Taínos and Hawaii and then you probably have some thoughts of your own, and that's why art is powerful and dangerous

How do democracies erode—and what role does education play in resisting authoritarianism? @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social breaks down the warning signs and why schools matter. Register and watch the full conversation: https://sharemylesson.com/webinars/aft-book-club-conversation-ruth-ben-ghiat @aft.org

🎁🔗: History Shows Trump’s Worst Impulses May Backfire on Him >>> "Trump appears to be testing the depths of the hole into which he can throw himself — and drag America with him." via @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/o...

Classic authoritarian logic: corrupt people by giving them an incentive to do the wrong thing. In 1933 and 1938, years of major assaults on targeted groups, the Nazis forgave the debt of other Germans to bind them to the regime.

The arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are part of the autocratic war to control the narrative. The more lawless governments become, the more they seek to silence inconvenient facts and people and invent the reality they need.

The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.

Many of the reports of those murdered by the Islamic Republic in Iran this month include the note that the protester/freedom fighter was shot from behind, which suggests they were likely gunned down by the regime while fleeing. This makes these crimes by the regime even more egregious.

Under authoritarian regimes, public spheres — streets, parks, neighborhood — become testing grounds for authoritarian rituals of humiliation and domination.

As predicted on Feb. 5, 2025: open.substack.com/pub/lucid/p/...

I have begun to think that Minnesota pushback to ICE was unique and a model because it gave people something to do. It wasn’t about just going out in streets for rallying purposes. People had a mission: videos, whistles, information and communication flow to communities. They had something to do.

Most importantly, public opinion on ICE has shifted dramatically. Democrats aren’t going to vote to fund DHS/ICE. The public doesn‘t approve of masked federal agents murdering American citizens in broad daylight. The people of Minnesota are showing how it’s done. We can win together.

The Minnesota civil resistance campaign has been remarkably successful: - The GOP governor candidate dropped out - Numerous DOJ officials resigned - GOP members of Congress are speaking out; business feels pressure - Noem has been relieved of operational responsibility The campaign is winning.

The people of Minnesota have executed one of the most impressive civil resistance campaigns I can remember: - Organized a city wide general strike - Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence - Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE - Flipped public opinion against ICE

One of the best things I’ve read in a while:

"The behavior of ICE and CBP agents reminds me of the Fascist blackshirts who arrived in trucks, armed with clubs, knives, guns, and castor oil, to subjugate towns in early 1920s Italy, before Benito Mussolini declared dictatorship." The latest from @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social...

"Authoritarianism is the conversion of rule of law into rule by the lawless.” This quote from @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social is ringing true today in the US as it did in years past.

So much of this regime's playbook recycles Kremlin tactics and rhetoric.

Nonviolence is, in fact, working. This administration is weaker than it was a year ago. More and more of the public is becoming galvanized against it; its agents are being impeded.

And, my recent episode with @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social ⚡️ What City Will Trump, ICE, Noem Target Next? With Ruth Ben-Ghiat. Trump is an Authoritarian Strongman. Is Martial Law & The Insurrection Act Coming Soon? 🎧Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...

How regimes behave

Obvs...autocracies are not the enemy for this admin

By design! Trump is in office to solve the problems of autocrats. Wrecking America so thoroughly it will take generations to recover and clearing way for dedollarization is part of this.

People want to have their basic needs met. They want to be paid a living wage. They want to stop being nickle and dimed by powerful corporations who control so much of our lives. They do not want Venezuela. They do not want Greenland. They do not want masked thugs terrorizing our communities.

Back then, wannabe dictators either declared dictatorship or staged a coup. Today wannabe dictators use “electoral autocracy” — they come to power via elections but then hollow out the electoral system through voter suppression, banning rivals from running for office, intimidation, & other tactics.

Nothing threatens authoritarian regimes more than act of nonviolent protest — people standing together, choosing empathy and courage, and refusing to be afraid.

Walz: "What's happening in MN defies belief. News reports simply don't do justice to the level of chaos & disruption & trauma the federal govt is raining down... This long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. Instead, it's a campaign of organized brutality against the people of MN"

Throughout history, change is most effective when people speak up. I am encouraged by the increasing number of people, especially those in the sports world, who are speaking out — and hope we can inspire more to do the same.

“the Trump administration has rolled out a campaign across departments that draws on images and ideas borrowed from right-wing and white nationalist circles.” What they are doing with taxpayers dollars ↘️

Trump & his allies are completely discarding any of language of democracy and international law.

If you're in the NYC area, I hope you will support this on Tuesday. I'll be there!

It’s hard to know if people outside MN understand how much of life is grinding to a halt here because of Trump’s occupation. Schools have shut down, businesses are scaling back hours or closing because their employees aren’t safe. The whole city is weighted down.

My thoughts about the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis — and why this is what happens under authoritarian regimes that socializes its agents to wage war on the public.

On this 5-year anniversary of January 6th, let’s all remember that we are not immune from coups and insurrections. We are not immune from authoritarianism. Preventing them from happening in the U.S. requires all of us pay attention and do something to protect democracy.

America crossed many Rubicons by attacking Venezuela on Jan. 3, 2026 We are now a rogue nation. Any rules-based global order is dead. Trump is a dictator, without Congress, public approval or legal restrain. And an axis of evil is carving up the globe My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...

💯 #Strongmen by @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social makes the case that tyrants have a great deal in common, & Trump fits the pattern. Their drive to dominate requires "spheres of influence", annexation of territory, predatory sexual behaviour & disregard for established norms & the rule of law.

When I teach my seminar on coups we keep a running tab on how many regime changes were motivated at least in part by desire for oil or other valuable commodities...

From STRONGMEN - chapter 3 - by @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social [Strongman] Leaders who come to power by elections rather than coups are more likely to avoid ejection from office and less likely to face punishment (1)

WASH POST: “Corporate bankruptcies surged in 2025, rivaling levels not seen since the immediate aftermath of the Great Recession, as import-dependent businesses absorbed the highest tariffs in decades.” www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

@ruthbenghiat.bsky.social QOTD (Book) - Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present" by Ruth Ben-Ghiat, scholar on fascism and authoritarian leaders.

🍊🤡🌮💩 bombed Nigeria. WTAF??!! He is doing this in our collective name. He is demented, but the armed forces have to follow his murderous orders. In "Strongmen," by @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social proves 🍊🤡🌮💩 is following the path of the worst dictators in modern history. He's enjoying killing people.

Ok, I don't usually do this, but the Molly Worthen piece on Christian Nationalism in the NYT? Apologetics. I'm on Xmas break and I don't feel like wasting my time breaking this down but let me just say this: WHO IS WE? Because some of us get Christian Nationalism, the NAR, and Dominionism.

Strongmen: How they rise, why they succeed, how they fall. by @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social If you haven’t gotten it yet, “even better” - you get the updated paperback version with an epilogue substack.com/@melissadalt...