How we blew through Stage 2

Written as of 4/10:

 Stage 2 Red Flags Summary

(“Erosion of Democratic Norms and Civil Protections”)

These are drawn from comparative political analysis of authoritarian transitions (e.g., Levitsky & Ziblatt, Freedom House, historical fascist regimes).

  • ❌ Nationwide injunctions outlawed — Congress limits courts' ability to check executive power.
  • ❌ Administration ignoring court rulings — eg. deportations and social media bans continue despite injunctions.
  • ❌ DOJ barring lawyers from attending legal orgs like the ABA.
  • ❌ Weaponizing the DOJ to issue gag orders and suppress testimony.
  • ❌ Felony charges for peaceful protestors.
  • ❌ Consent decrees to govern university speech.

🟥 Emergency & Executive Powers Expansion

  • ❌ Formal declaration of emergency powers.
  • ❌ Alien Enemies Act & Insurrection Act positioned for domestic use.
  • ❌ Indefinite detention of non-citizens in foreign prisons (El Salvador).
  • ❌ Plans to deport U.S. citizens based on ideology or “foreign ties.”

🟥 Suppression of Expression & Identity

  • ❌ Shadowbanning and takedowns of journalists’ posts.
  • ❌ Mandating deadnaming by banning nicknames in communications.
  • ❌ Targeting email pronoun users in the press.
  • ❌ Weaponization of language to enforce conformity (e.g., anti-trans speech mandates).
  • ❌ Book bans and control of academic curriculum (already in motion).

🟥 Economic Manipulation

  • ❌ Stock market manipulation via presidential tweets.
  • ❌ Massive tariffs on all imports (10–40%, now 104% on Chinese goods).
  • ❌ Targeting of prescription medications in tariff rounds.
  • ❌ Revoking Social Security Numbers for immigrants.
  • ❌ Asset seizure laws prepped under IEEPA.

🟥 Militarization & Internal Control

  • ❌ Plans to use the Insurrection Act against U.S. citizens.
  • ❌ Construction of fencing around the White House (physical fortressification).
  • ❌ Surveillance escalation via NSLs and warrantless monitoring.

🟥 Human Rights & Civil Liberties Violations

  • ❌ Disappearing legal residents at the border.
  • ❌ Plans for mass deportation based on ideology.
  • ❌ SSNs revoked to kill people’s economic lives.
  • ❌ Restrictions on immigration attorneys’ access to clients.

How Close Are We to Stage 3?

Stage 3 = "Rapid Consolidation of Power / Full Authoritarian Lock-In"

At this stage, we typically see:

  • Martial law or military used against civilians
  • Widespread suspension of rights (e.g., due process)
  • Borders close to prevent exit
  • Mass arrests and surveillance of dissidents
  • Nationalization or seizure of private assets

We are now 1–2 major moves away.
If:

  • The Insurrection Act is invoked on or near April 20th (as expected), and
  • Border controls or asset seizures begin in the days after...

That may be the tipping point.

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