Charles Bass, a Republican ex-representative who previously voted for Trump, told the New York Times on Jan 16 that MAGA preferred authoritarianism over democracy. Bass’s comments came after Trump comfortably won Iowa’s Republican presidential primary.
Done With Democracy
“A lot of people that support Donald Trump really are fed up with democracy,” Bass claimed. “I don’t think they feel threatened by having somebody who at least has the trappings of being more authoritarian than past presidents.”
Dictatorial Ambitions
Over the last few months, Trump has repeatedly said that he would be a dictator on “day one” only if he is reelected. He also vowed to “root out” his enemies, who he said “live like vermin.”
Widespread Fears
Various individuals and groups, including Democracy Forward and Protect Democracy, are preparing plans to try and prevent Trump from dismantling democracy as president. One worry is that he will attempt to pressure the military to repress political opposition.
The Insurrection Act
“There are an array of horrors that could result from Donald Trump’s unrestricted use of the Insurrection Act,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal explained on Jan 14. “A malignantly motivated president could use it in a vast variety of dictatorial ways unless, at some point, the military itself resisted what they deemed to be an unlawful order. But that places a very heavy burden on the military.”
Not a Care in the World
While many are horrified by the prospect of the end of American democracy, Trump supporters “think that an authoritarian-style government would probably be preferable at this point,” Bass explained.
Correlation
In 2016, a study found that “inclination to authoritarian behavior” was the most significant predictor of a person’s support for Trump.
Saving or Destroying?
MAGA might be willing to sacrifice democracy “in order to save the nation or whatever,” Bass said. Trump’s leadership political action committee is called Save America.
Constant Refrain
Trump has long claimed to be the sole solution to America’s problems. In 2016, after speaking of the crisis facing America, Trump said, “I alone can fix it.”
Fight for Something
In his now-infamous speech before the Jan 6, 2021 riots, Trump urged his supporters to “fight like hell.” “If you don’t fight like hell,” he said, “you’re not going to have a country anymore.”
Ineligible for Office
These statements, as well as others made online, are the basis for multiple lawsuits seeking to bar Trump from the presidency. Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment states that individuals who engage in “insurrection or rebellion” against the US may not hold office.
Escalation
Maine and Colorado have found Trump ineligible to appear on the ballot. The Supreme Court has heard oral arguments on the Colorado case and will issue its final judgment on the matter soon.
Continued Success
Despite this and the dozens of other charges against Trump, he is still the leading candidate in the Republican presidential primary. He won Iowa’s primary with 51% of the vote. Only Nikki Haley continues to run against him.
Record-Setting
Trump was just shy of 30 points higher than second place Ron DeSantis. That margin of victory is a record in Iowa. DeSantis later dropped out.
More Than a Candidate
“Trump is not a candidate, he’s the leader of a national movement,” Newt Gingrich explained. “No one has come to grips with what it’s like to take on the champion of a movement.”
Remaining Doubts
However, the New York Times argued that Iowa’s results “suggest the party remains deeply divided over his return to power,” pointing to the fact that half of the state’s Republicans chose someone else. Entrance polls indicated that younger voters, moderates, and those who don’t believe in the unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was stolen, in particular, chose other candidates.
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