Plan for Fully Authoritarian Rule?
“Project 2025” by the right-wing Heritage Foundation and 100 other right-wing groups has become a well-known blueprint for an incoming Trump administration. It is a far more organized plan than the one in 2016 and far more reactionary. The general slant is the 'unitary executive theory' – meaning a dictatorial president has the most power. It is 'philosophically' aimed at 'woke' and 'cultural Marxism' - actually DEI, multi-culturalism & 'political correctness.' "Cultural Marxism' is a favorite target of fascist bombers all over the world as well. It's a plan by a wing of capital for almost total control of state power based on politics. Gathered from various sources, its features include:
The most worrisome is indications they will set up many camps to imprison immigrants without papers in the U.S., then initiate mass deportations. Police, DEA, BATF will all be deputized to help.
Gutting the civil service and experts in various government departments and replacing them with 20,000 loyal MAGA zealots.
Abolishing, 'dismantling' or chopping certain departments like FBI, DHS, USAID, Education, Commerce, Energy, BLM and Interior.
Immediately using the 1807 'Insurrection Act' to quash any protests of any kind using the U.S. Army and a nationalized National Guard.
Using a politicized DOJ to go after opponents in media, education, politics, corporations, the internet and the legal system.
Environmental and climate change regulations and treaties will be unenforced or canceled. The EPA and NOAA will be gutted. Carbon sources will be promoted. "Drill baby, drill!"
Recruiting thousands of loyal MAGA Republicans to fill civil service positions by firing thousands of skilled workers and experts in AFGE, NFFE and APWU union positions.
Inserting theocratic rationales into law, as they just did in Alabama, and supporting white Christian nationalism.
Politicizing the military as a physical club against opponents and 'the deep state' - which is really just the administrative state.
Making sure political appointees are loyal to the plan and Trump, not any law.
'Marxists' and dark-skinned people will be the first targets, especially inside the government.
Outlaw Mifepristone, Misoprostol and institute a national anti-abortion law while tracking anyone who has an abortion. No birth control will be promoted except the rhythm method or abstinence.
Change the census to apply to only U.S. citizens.
Remove the fight against unemployment as a goal of the Federal Reserve.
Reduce the corporate tax rate again.
Eliminate the independence of the DOJ, FCC, FTC and other agencies, putting them under direct presidential control.
Rescind prohibitions against discrimination of LGBT people in government and law.
Outlaw pornography.
It also recommends the gold standard as their 'solution' to the federal debt. No shit.
This Project reflects a split between two factions of the bourgeoisie. Carrying out some of these points could result in widespread violence and a hard battle between corporate factions - but especially against the proletariat. Project 2025 functions as a reactionary 'wish list' but it is also an 'action plan.' What is not mentioned is that a display of government force against the Left and some Democrats will encourage extra-legal fascist and ultra-nationalist militias to physically attack leftists and anyone else they can.
Can this reactionary program be achieved? There are real roadblocks in the way, but as we've found before, Trump and the government do unexpected things and sometimes 'quantity leads to quality.' Trump will put his own megalomaniacal, vicious stamp on this program and speed it up as fast as possible. According to trackers he's made 250 suggestions on how to limit or upend U.S. bourgeois democracy. Complacency is not a solution, nor is simplistic 'both sidesism.'
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| British anti-fascist painting against Mosely in 1930s |
The answer is unity between unions, political, community and socialist organizations, along with all other anti-fascists, to form an Anti-Fascist Front in the worst case scenario. The AFF would defend the class against fascists first of all. It would recruit in the military and national guard and field its own political representatives to run in local elections. It would form armed defense units. It would recruit from the ranks of Democratic Party voters, and even some political reps of the DP - but not form a political block with the leadership of the DP. It would gather the majority of independents and recruit worker voters from the Republican Party who would soon feel the damage. It would become an uncompromising left pole of attraction for every force opposed to Project 2025.
From my information Project 2025 has nothing yet explicitly attacking unions except those in federal agencies. There is nothing about international policy - yet. Not a word about Bannon's 'Chinese Bio-Weapons.' There nothing yet about new rules for Wall Street or eliminating rules for Wall Street, as perhaps Wall Street already has everything it wants. There is no mention of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or other 'safety net' programs - as yet. But this is only a matter of time. One of the authors, Stephen Moore, is a fervent supporter of privatizing social security for Wall Street. The wish and fantasy is for the Far Right to thoroughly control the military, the legal system, the media, the educational system, the police, the financial system, welfare programs and every branch of government through 'semi-gradual' means – small, medium and large shocks short of a real coup. Victor Orban's rule in Hungary is a partial example, though he is heavily funded by the EU and usually sells his politics for a dime. Other authoritarians like Putin and Netanyahu do not. This plan actually reflects weakness of an astounding kind - a crisis of the capitalist form of bourgeois democracy and profit economics that is happening across the globe - and now in the heart of the world capitalist system.
In response, the most Left elements in the AFF can promote a transitional approach to socialism as the only way out in their bid to defend the great majority of workers, unemployed, self-employed, retired, students, minorities, small businessmen and farmers in the U.S. But any AFF will come under increased attack by the police and government entities. Just look at the violent threats and actions already against anyone the hard right dislikes. This will not be pretty if it comes to pass, especially in its worst form. Be prepared!
P.S. - Trump just said he'd cut Social Security, the plan of his Wall Street backers. He also promises 'a bloodbath' if not elected.
Prior blog reviews on this subject, use blog search box, upper left, to investigate our 17 year archive, using these terms: “Fascism,” “Trump,” “Who Were the January 6th Rioters?” “Capitol Riot,” “Anti-Fascism Series,” “In the Red Corner,” “Transitional Program,” “United Front,” “Anti-Fascist Front,” “It Can't Happen Here” (S. Lewis), "The Shock Doctrine" (Klein).
May Day Books has many books, newspapers and pamphlets on the fight against fascism and its variations. Buy one and educate yourself.
Red Frog
February 28, 2024
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