Fascism Tracking: First Week in Office
Breaking down each executive order congressional legislation in the context of fascism
Introduction:
During the first week of the Trump Administration, the U.S. Government has made sweeping decisions which could lead us in the direction of fascism. I’ve outlined Trump’s Executive Orders as well as legislation which was introduced by Congress and provided my opinion about their context within fascist regimes.
I’ll be breaking each policy down into 4 categories of fascist legislation:
Centralization of Power: Consolidation of authority into a small group of individuals
Suppression of Dissent: Restriction of free speech or expression, criminalization of protests or opposition
Targeting political opponents Promotion of Nationalism Prioritization of pro-nationalist propaganda, militarization, or loyalty
Economical/Societal Control: Increasing power of industries or labor, regulation of personal behaviors
Discrimination and Marginalization: Targeting of specific groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, or ideology
Executive Orders
Name: Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
Date: January 21—First Full Day in Office
What it Does: Bans Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Accessibility programs in federal contracting and directs federal agencies to investigate companies that implement DEIA.
Context in Fascism: Fascist regimes gain control over their population by removing protection and suppressing power of marginalized groups. Typically, they target groups which side against the fascist regime. In this case, those who benefit from DEIA are disproportionally likely to vote for progressive or liberal politicians and stand against conservatives.
Name: Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
Date: January 23—Third Full Day in Office
What it Does: Revokes AI restrictions and mandates a national strategy for AI development.
Context in Fascism: The removal of these restrictions allow companies to monitor citizens, censor oppression, enforce propaganda, and can also allow for state control over technological applications.
Name: Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization
Date: January 27—Sixth Full Day in Office
What it Does: Withdraws the United States from World Health Organization and Instructs the CDC to halt collaboration with them.
Context in Fascism: Fascist regimes have historically distanced themselves from international standards of human rights and health. This executive order also allows the United States to gain control over public health policies and lower standards of human rights without international consequence.
Legislation
Name: H.R. 23 -Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
Date: 01/03
State of Bill: Passed House
Votes for: 198 Republicans and 45 Democrats
Votes against: 140 Democrats
What it Does: Imposes sanctions against foreign entities or individuals who assist the International Criminal Court in investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting certain individuals. In other words, if the United States deems someone a “Protected Person” it will sanction any individual or entity who condones consequences for potentially illegal behavior of that person.
Context in Fascism: Fascist regimes gain more power throughout the world by pressuring other countries or individuals from holding allies accountable. This bill provides harsh punishments for anyone who assists with holding “protected individuals” accountable for their actions in international court.
Link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/23
Name: S.5 -Laken Riley Act
Date: January, 6th
State of Bill: Passed Both Chambers, Needs Trump’s Signature
Votes for:
House: 217 Republicans and 46 Democrats
Senate: 55 Republicans and 10 Democrats
Votes against:
House: 156 Democrats
Senate: 34 Democrats and 2 Independents
What it Does: Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain undocumented migrants who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. Since this bill does not require a conviction to be detained, this bill provides a back door to detain migrants who have committed no crime.
Context in Fascism: This bill allows a backdoor to detain migrants and limit their civil liberties.
Link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5
Summary:
Centralization of Power: 5 Steps Toward Fascism
Laken Riley Act, Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization
Suppression of Dissent: 2 Steps Toward Fascism
Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
Promotion of Nationalism/Militarism: 2 Steps Toward Fascism
Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization
Discrimination/Marginalization: 2 Steps Toward Fascism
Laken Riley Act, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity