Fascism Part One

In the recent past the word ”fascist” has been bandied about in reference to the actions of the present federal administration.  I thought it would be a great idea to determine how people arrived at the accusation about our own government, namely, President Trump. 

• fascism | ˈfaSHˌizəm | (also Fascism) noun an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
  • [derogatory] extremely authoritarian, intolerant, or oppressive ideas or behavior: 
  • [with modifier] very intolerant or domineering views or practices in a particular area: 
  • Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one national or ethnic group, a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach

The primary characteristics of fascism include:

1. Opposition to Marxism. 
2. Opposition to (parliamentary) democracy. 
3. Opposition to political and cultural liberalism. 
4. Totalitarian ambitions. 
5. Conservative economic programs. 
6. Corporatism. 
7. Imperialism. 
8. Military values. 
9. Leadership principle. 
10. Struggle against decadence. 
11. Extreme nationalism. 
12. Sexism and misogyny. 

To be sure, there are other interpretations of what Fascism may be, but for my belief, this about covers the definition of the idea of Fascism.  While I will write about these, I will not attempt to cover all in one article.  I shall describe four in a series of three articles.  I will provide well known facts, some current, some from the past to help explain what is meant, and then leave you to your own conclusion.  

To borrow a line from Vonnegut, “And so it goes…”

Opposition to Marxism. Modern fascists try to use socialism as a boogeyman to scare people. 

This is particularly true in the US.  Why?  Because most all citizens of the United States love their country, their freedom to make a choice, and to participate in government.  However, beginning in 1950, Senator Joe McCarthy became the most visible public face of a period in the United States in which Cold War tensions fueled fears of widespread communist subversion.  He alleged that numerous communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers had infiltrated the United States federal government, universities, film industry, and elsewhere. Ultimately McCarthy was censured by the Senate in 1954 for refusing to cooperate with and abusing members of the committee established to investigate whether or not he should be censured.

Are there any actions of the present-day administration that is comparable to McCarthyism? 
 
What about the recent attacks on Social Security, claiming it will bankrupt the US?  What about the threat of cutting Medicare and Medicaid claiming it will contribute to the bankruptcy of the US?   All of these programs are Socialistic in nature.  But, it is also the charge of the national government to protect man’s right to life…and that is what these programs help to do.  Mentioning these three programs being cut, causes many voters concern and consternation.  Trying to sell these programs as bad will not fly.

Opposition to democracy. You will see this in attempts to make it difficult for people to vote, often under the guise of “preventing voting fraud” even when they cannot produce evidence of fraud.  

At the conclusion of the 2020 Presidential Election, Trump claimed there was voter fraud and the election was “rigged” and “stolen” from him.  Over sixty (60) lawsuits were filed in various jurisdictions alleging voter fraud.  All cases were tossed out of court for a lack of evidence.  However, there is criminal litigation pending in the States of Georgia and Arizona against the “fake electors” for Trump.  Here is a portion of an article concerning the 2020 election lie:

Politics Dec 15, 2023 4:46 PM EDT
 
WASHINGTON (AP) — A jury awarded $148 million in damages on Friday to two former Georgia election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani for defamation over lies he spread about them in 2020 that upended their lives with racist threats and harassment.
The damages verdict follows emotional testimony from Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, who tearfully described becoming the target of a false conspiracy theory pushed by Giuliani and other Republicans as they tried to keep then-President Donald Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election.

During the recent Presidential Campaign, Trump stated, as early as the summer of 2024, he should win the election, if the election wasn’t rigged or stolen from him.  The rhetoric regarding election integrity didn’t stop after Trump won his re-election bid.  On March 25, 2025, Trump issued an Executive Order, “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.”  In essence, the order requires the states to require documented evidence of citizenship before the citizen may register to vote.  This EO isn’t necessary. 
 
The following was taken directly from the USA.Gov website:

Who can vote?
You can vote in U.S. federal, state, and local elections if you:

• Are a U.S. citizen (some areas allow non-citizens to vote in local elections only), including: 
  • U.S. citizens living outside of the United States. Learn more from the U.S. Department of State about voting as a U.S. citizen abroad.
  • U.S. citizens who were born abroad and have never lived in the United States. Your eligibility to vote is based on the state where your parents last lived or were registered to vote. Find out what states may permit you to vote absentee.
  • Dual citizens living in the United States or abroad
• Meet your state’s residency requirements
  • You can be experiencing homelessness and still meet these requirements.
• Are 18 years old on or before Election Day
  • In almost every state, you can register to vote before you turn 18 if you will be 18 by Election Day. 
  • Some states allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 by Election Day to vote in primaries.
• Are registered to vote by your state's voter registration deadline. North Dakota does not require voter registration.  (Former governor Doug Burgum is now serving as the Secretary of the Interior.  I certainly hope the EO President Trump issued regarding voter registration is now enforced in North Dakota.)

 
So, whom exactly is being left out in the cold, not being able to vote?  Once again, taken from the USA.Gov website:
Who cannot vote?

• Non-citizens, including permanent legal residents, cannot vote in federal, state, and most local elections.
• Some people cannot vote after being convicted of a felony or if they are currently serving time for other types of crimes. Rules are different in each state. Check this guide from vote.gov to understand the laws in your state.
• Some people who have a mental disability may not be able to vote. Learn about your voting rights. Rules vary by state.
• U.S. citizens residing in U.S. territories cannot vote for president in the general election.

It would appear,  if there is a problem with election integrity as indicated by the MAGA Republicans, it is unfounded.  Unless, of course, the states are not discharging their duties when conducting elections in a lawful matter.  But over 60 lawsuits claiming this to be true, were thrown out of court for a lack of evidence.

Consider the mass deportation of people accused of being associated with a terrorist group or terrorist activist, or an alleged member of the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang.  I’m not doubting the validity of the actions, but, due process was not followed, as well as no real evidence presented.  The Judiciary may find this difficult to swallow, because it is the court’s job to interpret the law and hand down decisions and court orders to ensure due process be followed.

The Trump administration has said Mr. Ábrego García's deportation to El Salvador was an "administrative error", but they have also alleged he has ties to the MS-13 gang, a group it designates as a foreign terrorist organization.  Trump has ignored the court order to “facilitate” the return Garcia who was wrongfully detained and deported to Venezuela.
 
The important item to understand is this:  If a ruling body can unilaterally declare a class of people to be terrorists, hard line criminals…whatever, without any form of proof provided for the electorate to see, without respect for the judiciary branch of the government, then there may be an opposition to democracy.

Opposition to political and cultural liberalism. Fascists will often claim that liberalism undermines traditional values and morality.  In order to understand this segment, one must identify traditional values and morality. 

Let’s begin with “rule of law”.  According to this idea, those living in a democratic society operates under a system of laws that applies equally to everyone, including those in power.  When anyone has been aggrieved, the victim has the opportunity to seek retribution in a court of law, using law as the basis for the argument.  In a democratic society, anyone who is accused of a crime and arrested has the use of due process, which once again, brings in the court system to provide an opportunity for the accused to defend themselves.  And that idea alone, provides for the concept of “innocent until proven guilty” with the onus of proving guilt on the accuser.
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In essence, everyone must live and operate under the law, both civil and criminal.  Now how does that apply to today?  Early in Trump’s administration, the Supreme Court gave the President immunity in anything he may perform, as long as it was in an official capacity.  In my view, this unfortunate decision circumnavigates the impeachment provision of the Constitution.  And, just as important, states the President is above the rule of the law.

How does that undermine the rule of law concept for other people?  If one person can be above the law, why can’t others?  In a scenario where the President is above the law, the President may (and has done it) restrict the due process of others as provided by the Constitution.  The 5th Amendment of the Constitution provides for this “due process”.  “No person… nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…The 5th Amendment does not stipulate “citizen”; on the contrary, it says “person”, indicating one doesn’t need to be a citizen to have due process in the United States.

Another tradition value held by the United States is the Protection of Human Rights.  Those Human Rights include freedom of speech, assembly, and religion which are all guaranteed and protected.  I believe that even these rights have come under attack.  In recent times, any form of speech that doesn’t agree with those in power comes under attack with innuendo and sarcastic response.  We have seen an insurrection called a peaceful demonstration.  That was no more a peaceful demonstration than pigs can fly.  And now, religion has been attacked.  Certain religions have been identified as a religion of terrorists.
 
So here is my question to all…do you have the right to make decisions that concern your existence or not? We make decisions regarding whom we marry (even though at times there were some who tried to legislate a marriage is between a man and a woman), where we live, where we work, what occupation to chase…without governmental intervention.  Do we really get to think independently?

What about making medical decisions such as abortion or determining to not prolong life for a person who has suffered a catastrophic accident, or suffered a heart attack or stroke?  What about those who wish to marry a member of the same sex?
  
As we know, President Trump has taken full credit for getting rid of Roe v. Wade.  His claim is the people wanted the decision overturned and he got it done for the people.  The argument about abortion is simply about ending life.  I understand that.  But if the mother is in danger of losing her life, if the fetus is abnormal and will have a difficult time surviving on its own as time passes, if the mother is victim of rape or incest…why do some politicians and citizens say an abortion cannot be performed?  Compare that decision to the family or loved one that “pulls the plug” on a victim of a horrendous accident which leaves the victim in a vegetative state, or, a patient who has suffered a heart attack or stroke which leaves them in a vegetative state.  Isn’t the decision about abortion and “pulling the plug” the same?

​Totalitarian ambitions. Fascists want to control all political power and will tell you that only they can set things right. 

With the Supreme Court granting immunity to the President when acting in “an official capacity as President”, it is my opinion the check and balance of the Congress on the President has been eliminated.  This certainly allows the Executive branch, namely President Trump unbridled power.  If Trump is ever questioned about his actions, he can merely say he was acting in an official capacity and I have immunity.  About the only thing left for Congress as a check on the President is to not pass legislation he wishes to pass, or to not pass a budget.  Other than that, I am not aware of any other measure Congress could take to limit the President’s power.
  
In recent weeks we have seen the President ignore rulings from federal courts, including the Supreme Court.  The President is using a “spin machine” to construct carefully worded answers to questions indicating he cannot comply with federal court orders.
  
This is a power grab unseen before in our country.  The President is doing what he wants to do, and the hell with the rest of the government.  How is it the President can appoint an outside the government person to cut programs and people without a plan?  I’m not against cutting fat in the budget, finding wasteful spending, creating a smaller government, BUT to do so without criteria or plan, without accountability is, okay?  There is no regard for what has happened, and at best, it could be surmised, because Trump is the President, he believes he can do what he wants, with no check or balance from the other two branches of government, which, ironically are supposed to be equal in nature to the Executive Branch.  And this can all be wrapped up in Trump’s statement, “I know what I’m doing”
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I disagree with that.
 
https://www.usa.gov/who-can-vote
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/preserving-and-protecting-the-integrity-of-american-elections/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/jury-awards-148-million-in-damages-to-georgia-election-workers-over-rudy-giulianis-2020-vote-lies
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fifth_amendment