BLITZKRIEG

As an historian of Europe between the wars, I have a bad feeling about this

The death and destruction have come of our government has come quickly; has it really only been three weeks since Donald took Power? .  The chaos is deliberate, however; Trump and Musk are seeking absolute power and money – e.g. power over the economy and the government, and the ability to further their  riches through corruption and greed. The Republicans in Congress, unfortunately seem more than willing to abdicate power to the president. They have no intention or desire to oppose him, even if it means saving democracy. The Democrats and other forces, such as the media, are in shock and confusion; only now are they are beginning to develop a strategy opposition. Unfortunately, Trump’s blitzkrieg has so far overwhelmed the opposition. [see below;  I am using the term “blitzkrieg” on purpose.

The impact of Trumps’s quest for power will be worse if guardrails on presidential power, the checks and balances of our system are demolished. The structures of democracy–: a division of power, the rule of law, a free press and protection of minority rights—are difficult to reclaim once they have been lost. Decades of crisis are invariably required.

From an historical view, he tactics of Trump’s attempt to gain absolute power bear an eerie similarity to the period in German history over the Winter of 1932-33. During this period the Nazi’s won two legislative elections and became the leading party in the Reichstag. After Hiler was declared chancellor [e.g., the prime minister] they used the mechanism of  government to destroy democracy from within.  If that appears familiar, perhaps it is because the goals and the methods are the same.  

Most Americans do not remember that Hitler and the Nazis gained their power, not at the point of a gun, but by winning not one but two democratic elections in 1932 and 1933; They did not seize power—the voters gave it to them. After the 1928 putsch, the Nazi party recognized that in order to adapt to and infiltrate the existing system, i.e. before Hitler could become the murderous dictator, they had to act like a normal political party to gain access to power.

The Nazis obtained political power by presenting themselves as a normal political party.  By doing so they began to win elections to seats in the Reichstag [the equivalent of congress, but in a parliamentary system] They became the leading party in the Reichstag by winning parliamentary elections in 1932 and 1933. Hiler expanded the political power of the chancellor, then used that power to dismantle democracy. He used a fake crisis to neuter the legislature, while using violence from his fillers and threats to intimidate the press and his opponents. He also put opponents in jail. Shock and awe were his strategy;  shockingly it took only two months to destroy democracy and gain absolute power. Mussolini used similar tactics.

The voters who elected them  were not Nazis; they were ordinary persons, frustrated by economic crisis and the weakness of the opposing parties. Democracy is often inefficient and slow; a charismatic demagogue who blames “the other” for the countries’ woes, and promises a quick restoration of former glory, is very attractive to many voters. Invariably, the demagogue claims to be the sole voice of “:the people,” and their protector; he will vanquish their enemies and the enablers of their enemies—the government. Those in America who are paying attention, will recognize that the same tactics have been adopted by Donald Trump and his apparatchiks.      

The Nazi Party did not invent these tactics; they have been used for centuries, including contemporaneously by Mussolini [Who was also elected] Hitler and the Nazis were just better at it.  .

Does any of this sound familiar? Shock and awe to overwhelm the opposition; blitzkrieg speed to obtain power quickly; [this is the reason Trump has not relied on the Republican Congress; it takes too long]; complete disregard, if not intentional violation, for either the law or constitution; declaring that President has extraordinary power prohibited by the Constitution; the proclamation of fabricated emergencies [an “invasion” by immigrants, massive crime in cities, even where crime is at historical lows]. These were Trump’s tactics during just the first three weeks.

Perhaps more dangerous is the emotional underpinnings of the seizure of power. Like Hitler and many dictators before, Trump has learned the method of demonizing the other [Jews for Hitler, immigrants for Trump]. The “other” are evil, “poisoning the blood of the nation; [Hitler’s phrase, adopted by Trump]. Similar descriptions are given about of political opponents –radical Marxists destroying the nation, giving power to undeserving minorities {Hitler also attacked Communists as the enemy]. Most importantly, declaring that the “other” and political opponents as the sole cause of the nations fall from greatness; “they have betrayed you  and must be punished.”. Finally, the exhortation and approval of violence to intimidate anyone [hang Mike Pence] who challenges the leader. There is a reason why 500 violent criminals, including many who attacked police, in the mass January 6 pardons; they provide a force to be relied on.

The similarity between the political tactics of Trump and the Nazis is almost supernatural. As someone who once read and watched Hitler’s speeches in the  original German, I have always been struck by the similarity of Hitler’s rallies to Trump rallies; if you changed “jews” to “immigrants” it would be difficult to determine who was giving the speech. Even Trump’s habit of hugging the flag resembles Hitler’s celebration of the homeland.      

Let me emphasize let me emphasize at the beginning that Trump is not Hitler, one of the most evil persons in world history.  Some people will die because of Trump‘s actions, but death is not the intent, he is just indifferent.  The difference between them lies in the ends to which the absolute power will be used. Hitler’s goal was to murder, destroy and demonize all who stood his path—to transform Aryan Germans into the Master Race and to expand power to all of Europe. In contrast, Trump’s primary goal  appears to be making money and serving his ego, not world domination. Hitler’s hatred of the “other” — particularly Jews—was sincere and deep rooted—he wanted to commit mass murder. In contrast, Trump’s demonization of immigrants and appeals to racism were merely . a political tactic—not a deep-rooted belief. I do not even believe Trump is personally a cist; he merely recognizes that appeals to racism have always a powerful political tool in America. Trump may be amoral, but he is not evil.  .   

Trump is more akin to the bully who wants to run the school yard and exhort lunch  money than a malicious dictator he wants power to commit heinous acts. His utilization of these tactics is largely transactional –a means to meet his own needs, to make money and be adored. He wants power—it does not matter much what he does with it. Unfortunately, these tactics have proved historically very effective; if they were not effective, Trump would not use them.  

[unfortunately, some of Trumps advisors may be more dangerous—they actually believe this stuff. His nominee for Chair of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Voight—has declared that American Democracy is dying and must be replaced. He was also the principal author of the 2025 Project, which advocates for the end of modern democracy]

Let me also emphasize that I am not comparing the Republican Party to the Nazi Party or any of its historical predecessors, such as in Italy. Obviously, they have been using some of these tactics—particularly the appeals to racism and creating an alternative reality –since the 1990s. As with Trump, however  the tactics are merely transactional. . They are not intent on world domination—they merely wish to preserve political power and reward their donors with tax breaks. In my opinion, no one in the republican Congress has malicious intent; in many cases they are merely cowards who lack the guts to confront Trump, even to save democracy.

The same is largely true of Trump’s wealthy backers, such as Elon Musk. Their primary goals are making money and the hobbling of federal regulators who reduce their wealth by such silly requirements as environmental protection and worker safety. It is no coincidence that the first three agencies shut down, AID, CFPB and the National Labor Relations Board [MLRB} —were the same Agencies who were investigating Musk for violating the law in a large number of cases. The NLRB alone had 32 cases against him.   

So where does the democratic Party go from here? I am not an expert, but I have a few suggestions. The first and foremost is publicity – shouting to the World what Trump and Musk are doing. They cannot rely on the Press alone; for example, few media outlets have broadcast Musk’s enormous conflicts of interest. The Press also seem unwilling to declare Trumps actions illegal, even when blatant.  The Democrats must also recognize that, in a social media age—press conferences are passe. The Democrats need to be loud and disruptive.

Second, continue to use the Courts, which are universally prohibiting Trumps action. While JD Vance and others have suggested defying the courts, I sense that that is a bridge too far even for a Republican Congress.

Third, Democrats must leverage the power they do have to  obstruct Trump. No democrat should be voting to confirm Trump’s nominees,

Finally, for ordinary citizens, publicity and public pressure. Call your Congresspersons and local officials; write letters to the editor. Have a sense of history, and do not despair.  America has survived far worse times than this.  . .     .