Yes, It's Fascism (theatlantic.com)

Article summary

The article argues that the Trump administration's actions and policies have become increasingly fascist in nature, exhibiting characteristics such as the demolition of norms, glorification of violence, and politicized law enforcement. The author notes that Trump's style of governing has shifted towards a more ideological and aggressive form of fascism, with a focus on dominating politics and crushing resistance. The article cites examples of Trump's actions, including his support for the global far right, his deployment of paramilitary police, and his undermining of elections. The author concludes that the reluctance to use the term 'fascism' to describe Trump's regime has become perverse, given the totality of his actions.

Main themes

• Fascism in the US
• Trump administration policies
• Authoritarianism
• Politicized law enforcement
• Erosion of democratic norms

What commenters say

• The actions of ICE are comparable to those of fascist regimes, such as the Brown Shirts in 1930s Germany, and are a sign of a larger problem with authoritarianism in the US.
• The Trump administration's policies and actions are intentionally designed to undermine democratic norms and institutions, and are a threat to the rule of law.
• The problem with ICE is not just one of poorly trained agents, but rather a systemic issue with a culture that encourages violence and abuse of power.
• Some people argue that the agents involved in violent incidents are not inherently evil, but rather are products of a system that selects for and rewards aggressive behavior.
• The Stanford Prison Experiment is cited as an example of how ordinary people can become perpetrators of abuse when given power and a lack of oversight, but others argue that this experiment has been disputed and is not a reliable analogue for the situation with ICE.
• The recruitment of ICE agents from the federal prison system and the offering of large signing bonuses may be contributing factors to the culture of violence and abuse within the agency.
• The use of the term 'fascism' to describe the Trump administration is seen as justified by some, given the accumulation of evidence of authoritarian and anti-democratic tendencies, while others argue that it is an exaggeration or a form of hyperbole.