This Is Fascism; This Is the Litmus Test
The rise of Trump 2.0 is fascism. History will remember which side you chose.
Fascism isn’t coming. It’s here. It’s not creeping in the shadows or lurking at the edges of our democracy—it’s standing in broad daylight, bold and shameless. And it’s begging you to look away.
What’s worse, I’ve been watching Democratic leaders, political pundits, and social media influencers—virtually none of them seem willing or able to call this what it is. Whether out of fear, denial, or political calculation, they hesitate to use the word fascism. But refusing to name it only empowers it.
Let’s make this clear: If you can’t see what’s happening, if you can’t name it, if you can’t summon the courage to say it out loud, then you are helping it. You are on the wrong side of history. Period.
Because this isn’t just a political moment. This isn’t just about Trump. This may very well be the moment that defines how you’re remembered. It’s a test of your moral clarity, your courage, and your willingness to confront the darkest forces of human nature. What you do—or fail to do—right now will be remembered by your children, your grandchildren, and by history itself. The question is, what kind of story will they tell about you?
Trump 2.0: The Unmasking of Fascism
Let’s stop pretending this is normal. Trump’s second term isn’t just a return to his old authoritarian impulses—it’s an all-out embrace of fascism. No dog whistles, no plausible deniability, no fig leaves. This is full-blown fascism in action.
The January 6 Pardons: Greenlighting America’s Brownshirts
When Trump pardoned the January 6th insurrectionists, he wasn’t just excusing their violent attempt to overthrow democracy. He was signaling to every would-be thug in America: You can attack this country, and I will protect you. You can beat, maim, and even kill in my name, and I will call you a patriot.
This is straight out of the fascist playbook. Hitler had his Brownshirts, Mussolini had his Blackshirts, and now Trump has his mob. January 6 wasn’t the end. It was the beginning.
The Karon Hylton-Brown Pardon: State Violence Unleashed
On day one, Trump signaled that he would pardon two officers who killed Karon Hylton-Brown, a young Black man, after a needless and fatal police pursuit over the “crime” of riding a moped without a helmet. Two days later, he followed through.
This wasn’t just a pardon—it was a message: State violence is acceptable as long as it targets those I deem unworthy. Trump referred to Karon—a U.S. citizen—as an "illegal," weaponizing dehumanization to justify the unforgivable. It’s a chilling escalation of fascism’s reliance on state-sanctioned brutality.
Firing the Inspectors General: Dismantling Accountability
Trump’s purge of 18 Inspectors General wasn’t just a bureaucratic shake-up. It was a decapitation of oversight. Why? Because the first impeachment showed how dangerous accountability was to his power. A whistleblower went to an IG, and the truth came out. Trump removed them to ensure it wouldn’t happen again. If there are no IGs, there are no whistleblowers. If there are no whistleblowers, there is no accountability.
This is how fascist regimes consolidate power—by removing every mechanism that could hold them accountable.
Ending Birthright Citizenship: The Nuremberg Playbook
Trump’s push to end birthright citizenship is not merely about immigration policy. It’s about signaling that certain people don’t deserve rights, protections, or recognition. It’s about defining who is “American” and who isn’t, creating an underclass that will be targeted and exploited.
This mirrors the Nazi regime’s Nuremberg Laws, which stripped Jewish Germans of their citizenship. Once a group is denied its legal protections, the road to persecution and violence is wide open.
The Laken Riley Act: Legalizing the Police State
The Laken Riley Act gives federal agents the authority to imprison anyone they deem undocumented—without due process. No trial. No evidence. Just suspicion.
This is Gestapo territory. It doesn’t just criminalize undocumented immigrants; it creates a system where anyone can be targeted based on race, religion, or perceived disloyalty. It’s a mechanism for terrorizing communities into submission.
Schedule F: Loyalty Over the Constitution
Perhaps the most dangerous move of all is Trump’s plan to reinstate Schedule F, an executive order that reclassifies tens of thousands of federal employees as at-will workers who can be fired without cause. The implications are staggering: Trump will purge the federal government of anyone not loyal to him personally—regardless of their oath to the Constitution or the American people.
This isn’t speculation. The infrastructure is already in place, and Trump has openly declared his intent to use it. Under Schedule F, he will transform the federal government into an extension of his personal will. Independent agencies, scientific experts, legal professionals—anyone unwilling to bend the knee—will be removed and replaced with cronies who will serve not the nation, but Trump himself.
The consequences are catastrophic. Agencies tasked with protecting public health, safeguarding national security, and upholding the rule of law will no longer operate independently. Their mission has shifted from serving the American people to serving Trump’s political agenda. This is not a hypothetical scenario. This is a concrete plan to destroy the independence of our government and cement autocratic rule.
If You Believe in This Fight, Help Keep It Alive
There’s still more below, I just need a moment of your time.
This work isn’t backed by corporations. There are no ads, no paywalls, no billionaires funding it.
It’s just one person, fighting like hell to expose the truth and give you the weapons to push back.
If you value this work—if you want this movement to keep growing, keep calling out fascism without fear, and keep fighting for the future we deserve—then I need your support.
Join the fight. Become a supporter. Every contribution keeps this mission alive.
Because silence is surrender. We do not surrender. We are #TheRelentless.
No Sidelines, No Excuses: The Litmus Test of Our Time
Fascism doesn’t take over a country because everyone agrees with it. It takes over because most people do nothing to stop it. It thrives on appeasement, normalization, and denial. It feeds on the excuses of the comfortable: It’s not that bad. He doesn’t mean it. This is just politics.
But let’s stop pretending. Trump’s second term has embraced the defining traits of fascism:
A Leader Above the Law: Trump has made it clear he is not bound by the Constitution or the rule of law. Pardoning January 6th insurrectionists and purging Inspectors General are just two examples of his absolute disregard for accountability.
State Violence Against Marginalized Groups: From the Karon Hylton-Brown pardon to the Laken Riley Act, Trump has weaponized state violence to target, dehumanize, and terrorize those he deems unworthy.
The Dismantling of Accountability: By firing Inspectors General and planning to weaponize Schedule F, Trump has systematically destroyed the systems of oversight that protect democracy and the rule of law.
The Glorification of Political Violence: His pardons of insurrectionists and rhetoric celebrating political violence echo the playbook of fascist strongmen who use thugs to enforce their will.
The Dehumanization and Scapegoating of Enemies: Policies like ending birthright citizenship and referring to citizens as “illegals” create an underclass to blame and punish, justifying repression and violence.
The Destruction of Truth: Trump’s attacks on the media and efforts to flood the public with lies about elections and institutions are a direct assault on reality itself, the cornerstone of any functioning democracy.
This is not politics as usual. This is fascism. It demands more than passive resistance. It demands action.
If you find yourself saying, It’s not that bad, stop. Look in the mirror. Ask yourself: Am I the kind of person who would have stood up to fascism in the 1930s, or would I have gone along with it, pretending everything was fine? Because that’s what this moment demands.
Conclusion: The Importance of Naming Fascism
The first step in fighting fascism is naming it. Denial is its greatest ally. Fascism thrives when people soften their language, pretend it isn’t happening, or convince themselves it can’t happen here. But it is happening here. And if we can’t even say the word, how can we fight it?
This is the moment here you decide what side of history you’ll stand on. Refusing to name this as fascism is appeasement. Refusing to act against it is complicity. History doesn’t just remember the heroes who stood against tyranny—it remembers the cowards who enabled it.
But this is not just about your own decision. It’s also about those around you. Look at the people in your life—friends, family, coworkers—and even those you follow on social media or in public life. Are they acting like it’s business as usual? Are they downplaying what’s happening, ignoring the dangers, or pretending everything is fine?
For those who are starting to wake up, help them cross the line. Have the hard conversations. Show them what’s at stake and push them to see the truth. For those who are ready to name this what it is—fascism—The American Manifesto is here as a hub of resistance. This is a place for all who are willing to confront the darkest forces of our time and work toward a future built on truth, justice, and democracy. You are not alone. Join us.
You can take the first step by sharing this article with someone you feel could benefit from its clarity. Share it with those who are teetering on the edge, unsure of what to believe. Share it with those who have the courage to stand up but need to hear that they’re not alone. Every voice matters in this fight, and you can amplify this message by spreading it.
Finally, if this article resonates with you and you believe in our mission, consider becoming a paid subscriber to The American Manifesto. By doing so, you’ll help us keep this message free from paywalls and corporate influence, ensuring it can reach as many people as possible. Your support fuels our commitment to clarity, truth, and resistance. Together, we can drive this message even farther.
There are no sidelines. There is no neutral ground. The fight against fascism is the fight for democracy, for truth, and for human dignity. It is happening right now.
So, which side are you on?
Fighting Fascism: How We Push Back and Win
If you've made the right choice and are ready to take on the challenge ahead of us, you might want to read this article next for strategies on how we fight back against fascism.
If there is one thing we learned from Trump’s first week in office, it’s that there is no crime or act of violence too heinous to get away with as long as you are wearing a MAGA hat, a Camp Auschwitz t-shirt and chanting “we want Trump!”
I am so happy that I stumbled upon your substack. Honestly, your approach is one of the very few approaches that makes any sense. I spent the entire morning reading through almost all of your substacks. Somehow, you have to figure out a way to get your messages amplified. I wish you could set up a meeting with at least one of the Dems or Independent Senators or Congressmen/women. AOC might even be receptive to meeting with you. I have not felt any direction since Election Day, until now. Thank you! If and when you start an organized movement, I would love to be a part of it, in whatever capacity I can be of assistance.