Below is the first installment in a weekly Refusefascism.org feature exposing the rapid unfolding of a fascist USA and the necessity to stop it.
Consolidating Power
Consolidating power and eliminating forces deemed disloyal is a hallmark of a fascist regime. Tuesday’s firing of FBI Director James Comey was a prime example of this serious escalation towards fascism. In despot fashion Trump unilaterally eliminated the person charged with investigating whether or not his election campaign committed a criminal or impeachable offense.
When Comey’s investigation was building steam and given more weight after the testimony of Sally Yates (who had been Acting Attorney General before Trump dismissed her for opposing his first Muslim ban), the Trump regime felt obligated to rid itself of this obstacle. Multiple representatives of the regime presented the public with thinly veiled lies, but the motives were clear. As the week progressed we have learned about the regime previously demanding loyalty from Comey, and witnessed Trump’s threatening tweets towards both Sally Yates and Comey. Trump has even joked on Twitter about doing away with press briefings. But is it a joke?
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Ethnic Cleansing and Genocidal Agenda
Last Sunday, with Trump’s encouragement, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed SB4 into law. This law forces law enforcement agencies across the state to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In Texas, no sanctuary cities can exist since all law enforcement officials now have the responsibility to rip families apart and detain anyone they suspect lacks documentation. SB4 shreds people’s civil liberties and enshrines racial/ethnic profiling, forcing millions to live in terror. This sets an ominous precedent for other states to follow suit.
On Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions reversed an Obama policy and directed federal prosecutors to “to pursue the most serious charges possible against the vast majority of suspects”. For the past four years the “Criminal Charging Policy” reduced long mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses. This policy was the result of profound and visible opposition to mass incarceration, and did, in a small way, reduce the prison population.
“We are returning to the enforcement of the laws as passed by congress.” With these words, Jeff Sessions announced that the under Trump/Pence more Black and brown youths will be sent to jail for lower level drug offenses. These draconian policies have nothing to do with “making America safer”. These renewed and failed War on Drugs practices serve only to destroy the lives, families, and communities of people of color while advancing mass incarceration, enriching private prisons, and codifying a genocidal program.
Waging a War on the Truth and Science
This week the regime launched the next phase in their war against science by remaking and freezing scientific advisory boards (200 Department of Interior boards). The E.P.A. has already had its budget eviscerated. Its climate science work, particularly its education and research on the anthropogenic cause, has been gutted. Last Friday half of the members of the E.P.A. Board of Science Counselors were fired. These academic scientists who provided valuable research and guidance are being replaced with “industry leaders” whose only vested interest is profit. Purging science that doesn’t fit its economic, political, or religious agenda is another clear indicator of fascism.
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If the first 100 days didn’t make it clear; this past week should have. This is a regime that, if not driven from power, will: rewrite the law, annihilate its enemies, criminalize dissent, and radically remake society. And while many are waking up there are some serious delusions we have to help people shake off quickly if we are to drive out this fascist regime.
There can be no waiting things out. Because even if you can survive this, many won’t. There can’t be any banking on a illusive autonomous special prosecutor. Focusing on local elections trying to stack more favorable judges and district attorneys is useless when this regime disposes any threat at their whim. We cannot wait on midterms when the planet burns, black and brown bodies stand in the crosshairs, and womens lives hang in the balance. And yet this isn’t a time for hopelessness. As Refuse Fascism recent statement on Comey firing states “Do not underestimate the power of the people when we struggle with courage and conviction.”
Trump and Pence Must Go!
In the Name of Humanity, We REFUSE to Accept a Fascist America
DRIVE OUT THE TRUMP PENCE REGIME!!!
This week many were shaken awake to the fascist character of the Trump/Pence regime with the firing of James Comey. Many media commentators and prominent opinion makers have sounded the alarm and are naming it a constitutional crisis. In this pivotal moment, it is critical that people grasp the scope and danger posed by this regime and that all those alarmed and outraged take decisive action until this regime is driven from power.