Bogeymen and Trojan Horses How to identify and call out Trump and Musk’s fascist tactics

In today's The Big Picture, Jay Kuo identifies and calls out the classic fascist tactics Trump and Musk are deploying, so that we can fight back against them more effectively.

"This is the appeal to history, to morality, to the public....what is at stake is your liberty. We are here."

@gtconway.bsky.social discusses the Reagan-appointed Judge Wilkinson’s stark words and the stakes of our constitutional crisis with @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social:

So, if I understand correctly, the President of the United States is saying that the Supreme Court of the United States consists of nine “sick people,” including three whom he appointed.

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Photo of Senator Chris Van Hollen with Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.

After 21 years at my dream job, I’m very sad to announce my early retirement from the National Institutes of Health. My life’s work has been to scientifically study how our food environment affects what we eat, and how what we eat affects our physiology.

@maddow.msnbc.com
Honolulu #handsoff

@maddow.msnbc.com #Handsoff Austin, TX

@maddow.msnbc.com Boston was all out despite the rain!

Port Huron, MI. Blue Water Bridge to Canada in background. River on right, and protesters marching along metal railing on left. Fishing pole with bell on railing in center.

Port Huron, MI. Blue Water Bridges to Canada in background. Wide shot of protesters marching toward bridge, red heart shaped art to the left.

@maddow.msnbc.com
Port Huron, Michigan! We marched our river border with Canada to the Blue Water Bridge that connects us, and waved at our friends protesting on the other side. 500+, in a very red county! #HandsOff

Great crowd and fantastic vibe from the Baltimore gathering! 1/6 #baltimore #handsoff @maddow.msnbc.com

I'm nearly in tears seeing all of these #handsoff protest pictures posted by @maddow.msnbc.com and @indivisible.org . Such a momentous day!

Here we are in #dallas
#texas

Fountain square in Evanston IL for the hands off protest. Probably about 1000-1500 people.

Sign at a protest reading “You know shit’s dire if GenX rolls up (hands off our democracy)

Another view. Fountain square in Evanston IL for the hands off protest. Probably about 1000-1500 people.

Evanston, IL showed up. Probably 1500 people who couldn’t make it to downtown Chicago. @maddow.msnbc.com

Great crowd and fantastic vibe from the Baltimore gathering! 5/6 #baltimore #handsoff @maddow.msnbc.com

Great crowd and fantastic vibe from the Baltimore gathering! 6/6 #baltimore #handsoff @maddow.msnbc.com

A woman stands in front of the Washington Monument with a sign that says "Too Many Things Wrong To Fit On One Sign." Which is just objectively true.

Couldn't even begin to narrow it down
#HandsOff2025 #HandsOff #HandsOffDC #WashingtonDC @maddow.msnbc.com

#HandsOff Talkeetna, Alaska
photo credit Wendy Battino

Protest in Buffalo today. #handsoff
@maddow.msnbc.com

What a day. What a country! 💪

Trump’s Third Term Talk Defies Constitution and Tests Democracy The 22nd Amendment is clear: President Trump has to give up his office after his second term. But his refusal to accept that underscores how far he is willing to consider going to consolidate power.

Trump's talk of defying the two-term limit to hold onto power underscores the uncertainty about the future of America’s constitutional system with a president whose commitment to rule of law is under question. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/u...

Anti-Trump Protests Get Underway Across the Country Demonstrators packed the streets in cities and towns to rail against government cutbacks, financial turmoil and what they viewed as attacks on democracy.

From St. Augustine, Fla., to Salt Lake City to rainy Frankfort, Ky., and across the nation, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators take to the streets to protest Trump and Musk. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/05/u...

BREAKING: Judge denies Trump administration's request to stay order compelling return of man wrongfully deported.

During the campaign Trump told farmers—his only supporters who fully understand tariffs—that he was going to do this.

This was….five months ago

This. We give elected Dems a lot of guff, but this one is not the Dems' fault. Dems in the House held the line and did all they could.

After 3 surgeries, a blood clot, infection & being hospitalized for over a week, the moment I was discharged I rushed to the airport so I could get on a plane to DC & vote NO on Republicans’ disastrous budget plan.
Rep. Pettersen traveled from Colorado with her newborn son so she could vote NO. 🧵

Before asserting that something like this is happening because he says he can do it, journalists should ask what the statutory authority is, and if it is unclear or nonexistent, the headline and story should reflect that.

Had a conversation with a non political person whose buddy works for the forest service and was 10 months into his job supplying hard to reach parts of a national forest and was fired. The guy talking to me was like “I don’t really think my buddy’s $50,000 salary is gonna balance the budget.”

Bobby is a must-follow progressive budget wonk.