Fifty Three Days and the Death of Democracy

On January 30, 1933 Adolph Hitler became chancellor of the Weimar Republic and immediately began an assault on that constitutional republic. As recounted by Timothy Ryback's fascinating history, "How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days" published in The Atlantic, Adolph Hitler "systematically disabled and then dismantled his country’s democratic structures and processes in less than two months’ time—specifically, one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes. The minutes, as we will see, mattered." 

Hitler swore an oath to uphold the constitution but almost from the beginning began talking about his mandate from the German people to carry out his plans. He began firing government officials and replacing them with loyalists and withdrawing from international commitments. The chancellor wanted to purge the county of foreigners, revive the economy, and drain the 'parliamentarian swamp." 

Before long Hitler's opponents and skeptics began to fall in line or remain silent. They barely protested when National Socialists convicted of crimes and treason were released and became heroes. Concerns about an independent judiciary, press freedom, and citizens rights were brushed aside, after all, Hitler was building the economy and securing the borders. One politician expressed concerns about the dictatorial powers being granted to Hitler under the enabling act, but the announced, to laughter, that he and his party would be supporting it.

In less than two months Adolph Hitler had destroyed democracy. And we all know what came next...!

Fifty three days. Donald Trump's inaugural address with filled with lies and angry threats directed at political opponents and other nations such as Panama.

Fifty three days. Donald Trump has been in office less than a week and he's already pardoned January 6 rioters and insurrectionists who committed treason by storming the Capitol and interfering with the constitutional duties of Congress. Many of them attacked, injured, and even cause deaths of police offices. Trump has regularly praised these criminals and now has his brownshirts ready to act on his every utterance. 

Fifty three days. Donald Trump has illegally fired dozens of inspectors general in a number of different agencies. These watchdogs are tasked with assuring the agencies follow the law, don't waste taxpayers money, and meet ethical standards. The inspectors general are Senate approved and can be removed only with 30 day notice to that body.

Fifty three days. Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship is an attempt to rewrite the United States Constitution. Fortunately a federal judge... a Reagan appointee... has blocked the illegal order for now, but it is bound to end up before a Trump-friendly Supreme Court.

Fifty three days. Already nearly every Republican (including lapdog Ben Cline) in the House of Representatives is licking his boots and doing what is puppet Speaker Johnson wants. Most Republican Senators are marching in lockstep or keeping their views under wrap – evidence – nearly every Republican Senator voted to approve Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Never mind that Hegseth is clearly unqualified and corrupt, there are serious questions about his commitment to women's role in our armed forces, his alcoholism, abuse of women. His only qualification, it seems, is being a total Trump toady. 

Stay tuned as we count down fifty three days... we are under a week into the second Trump atrocity. Trump's billionaire buddies are jockeying for position of influence in the Trump White House. Elon Musk gives the Nazi salute. There is indeed "Rot at the Top."