Breakdown:
- The Coup: This method involves a violent, sudden overthrow of the government, typically by a radical group or military faction. It quickly installs a new government through force.
- Advantages: The speed of the takeover makes it hard for the opposition to respond, and it prevents them from regrouping.
- Disadvantages: Governments formed this way are unstable and prone to infighting, making them vulnerable to collapse over time.
- The Internal Legislative Coup: This is the method currently employed by Donald Trump. It involves using the existing democratic framework to gradually dismantle democratic systems and replace them with authoritarian rule.
- Advantages: It moves slowly, making it difficult for citizens to recognize the shift until it’s too late. Additionally, it’s harder for people to oppose because the leader appears legitimate, having been elected through the democratic process.
- Disadvantages: In the early stages, this method is vulnerable because it takes time to implement, and opposition can build momentum to resist it.
Trump’s Approach: Trump is using the internal legislative coup strategy by leveraging democratic institutions to erode checks and balances. By removing opposition and installing loyalists in key positions, he is gradually undermining the system. The key to stopping this type of coup is early, vocal resistance, especially from the media, to prevent the government from consolidating power. The media plays a vital role in keeping the public informed, challenging the narrative that these shifts are just part of the normal democratic process, and highlighting any actions that undermine democracy. If this resistance is strong and persistent, it can prevent the government from consolidating power and ultimately preserve democratic systems.