Comparative Speed: Hitler vs. Trump (2024–2025) Hitler’s consolidation of power (1932–1934): 1. July 1932: Nazis win largest share in Reichstag but don’t seize power yet 2. January 30, 1933: Hitler appointed Chancellor (not elected) 3. February 27, 1933: Reichstag Fire; civil liberties suspended next day 4.
April 16th 2025 🟥 Stage 1: Soft Authoritarianism — ✅ COMPLETE * ✅ Disregard of court orders: Ongoing defiance of federal rulings; administration continues to ignore Supreme Court mandate regarding Abrego Garcia. * ✅ Emergency powers without checks: DHS and border powers expanded; Insurrection Act consideration openly discussed. * ✅ Mass disinformation: Disinformation campaigns normalized; administrative lies submitted as
Not in Name—But Maybe in Effect. 1. Formal annexation (like adding provinces) Unlikely in the short term, because: * It would require treaty negotiation or force, both of which would risk massive global backlash. * Canada is a G7 country with strong alliances and standing armies. * The U.S. military would
What “Closing the Borders” Looks Like in This Context: This won’t be like WWII or even 2020. It will happen through administrative fog, not overt declarations. People will still think they can leave — until they try. Likely Stages: 1. Flight Disruptions + Visa Processing Delays Already beginning, will escalate over
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). 🟥 Legal & Judicial Undermining * ❌ Nationwide injunctions outlawed — Congress limits courts' ability to
🟥 Stage 1: Soft Authoritarianism — COMPLETE ✅ Disregard of court orders: Ongoing defiance (e.g., refusal to comply with court-mandated releases, deportations despite injunctions). ✅ Emergency powers without checks: Yes — declared, expanded, and actively used. ✅ Mass disinformation: DOGE embedding, data distortion, state-endorsed conspiracy networks. ✅ Journalist shadowbanning: Confirmed. Targeting of journalists with pronouns. ✅ Legal
Where we were on 4/5: 🟡 Stage 1: Soft Authoritarianism (Already Occurring) These are foundational shifts that corrode norms and laws: * ✅ Disregard of court orders by executive branch * ✅ Emergency powers declared without clear checks * ✅ Mass disinformation campaigns (state media alignment, AI manipulation) * ✅ Targeting and shadowbanning of dissenting journalists * ✅ Legal residents
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