Anyone who cares about the Constitution, the rule of law, and the continuation of American democracy must work to defeat Donald Trump this coming November. A massive defeat at the polls might dampen the inevitable claims of fraud (even preplanned and, in some cases, already stated) from the MAGA camp, though Trump, of course, will never concede. But the elimination of Trump as a threat to democracy will not eliminate all existing threats to democracy. Vigilance will still be necessary!
Trump represents the immediate existential threat, but MAGA’s authoritarian thrust likely will continue after Trump disappears from the political scene. There are many unprincipled, amoral, power-hungry Republicans waiting in the wings for their chance to lead either MAGA or a movement similar to it. Too many to name all here, but a few stand out: Senators J.D. Vance of Ohio, Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Ted Cruz of Texas and Representative Elise Stefanik of New York. Other possible candidates include Arizona’s Kari Lake — an election denier in the mold of Trump — and, of course, that Putin-loving, hate-spewing former Fox host, Tucker Carlson.
Any of these wannabe dictators might conclude that the former president had tapped into the discontent of many White voters and converted that discontent into a potent political movement. They might further conclude that Trump failed because he was not disciplined enough nor ideologically tough enough. Or they might argue that Trump was beset by personal problems that interfered with his political campaign: His bullying and cruelty might have turned off some voters who might follow, say, a J.D. Vance; and his legal problems might have alienated some otherwise stalwart MAGA followers.
But all fascistic movements — which MAGA more and more resembles — need more than a charismatic leader at the top. They also need foot soldiers who can intimidate opponents and manipulate the route to power. Hitler had his Brownshirts and Mussolini his Blackshirts, armed squads ready to do the leader’s bidding. A poll conducted late in 2023 showed that one-third of Republicans believe that “true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save the country.” The militia members are poised.
Armed thugs like Hitler’s Brownshirts and Mussolini’s Blackshirts may be a necessary ingredient to aid an authoritarian-minded Vance, Hawley, Cruz, et cetera in obtaining power. But once in power, the dictator-to-be needs allies to run the government. Unfortunately, there may be no shortage of personnel available to fill the ranks of a right-wing government.
Robert Draper reported in The New York Times this week on a right-wing group that is training the next generation of Trump loyalists and developing policies for the next conservative-led administration. Headed by Jim DeMint, a former U.S. senator from South Carolina, with that fine and upstanding former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows as a senior advisor, the Conservative Partnership Institute trains staff members for state legislators in developing right-wing policies, instructs legislators in how to badger witnesses in hearings, and helps politicians raise funds. Much of this work is done to aid a second Trump administration, but there is no reason that Trump’s successor could not take advantage of the organization’s experience and services. And, of course, all the planning Trump and his allies have undertaken — including deploying the military to quell demonstrations and setting up concentration camps as a prelude to deporting millions of immigrants — would be available to the next Trump. Many of those allies involved in concocting plans for a second Trump administration — Stephen Miller and Steve Bannon, among others — could easily slide into the camp of a Trump successor.
Trump has taken over the Republican National Committee and Republican state parties have fallen under the sway of Trump loyalists. As one state former GOP chair, from Georgia, put it: “There has been an emphasis on ideological cleansing instead of electioneering.” Loyalty to Trump has become the litmus test for advancement within the Republican Party. Will those loyalists simply fold up their tents when Trump leaves public life? I doubt it! More likely, they will be waiting by the phone for J.D. Vance’s call.
Right-wing zealots (a minority) call the tune in the House of Representatives, and even, as well, in the Senate, where Mitch McConnell’s legendary control of the Republican conference has floundered in recent months (see the fate of the recent border bill, demanded by Republicans until Trump squashed it). MAGA-leaning House members — the Marjorie Taylor Greenes and Matt Gaetzes — represent safe Republican districts. They are not going anywhere, ready instead to do the bidding of the next MAGA don. Or, who knows, perhaps they have ambitions in that direction and are merely waiting for the right time.
The courts have fallen largely under the sway of Republicans, with right-wing, ultraconservatives in a solid majority in the Supreme Court. Already they have done great damage, overturning the constitutional right of reproductive choice, weakening voting protections for minorities, eviscerating affirmative action, and moving to end the administrative state. The ripple effect of the Supreme Court’s decisions was driven home this week — with a vengeance — when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are people.
All of this was made possible because Trump put three ultra right-wingers on the Supreme Court. But Republicans have been packing the federal bench for years. McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, has made it his mission to confirm conservative judges. He has succeeded in putting judges of his ideological stripe on district and appellate courts. How many of these judges might aid a Trump heir in the consolidation of dictatorial power?
Defeating Trump is the heavy lift for now. But once the quadruple-indicted former president departs for Mar-a-Lago — which cannot be soon enough — progressives and all those who wish to preserve American democracy must not let down their guard. The virus of authoritarianism has infected the national body politic. It is up to us to insure that the virus spreads no further.
Posted February 23, 2024
Yes, there are others in the wings. We must be vigilant.