Nothing about any of this comes as a surprise. Trump has been broadcasting his love of authoritarianism for years. To convince the clueless, he even launched a coup attempt. This is what Americans voted for. Meanwhile the GOP, which controls both houses of Congress, has cravenly lay down and rolled over in hopes of getting a nice tummy rub instead of a kick. Any doubts? Their latest project is to begin re-writing history by ridding the Smithsonian of “wokeness.” In their view, slavery wasn’t so bad and the Confederates were patriots.
I do take exception to Trump being depicted as a “strongman.” He’s a madman, and those who support him are as crazy as he is. "Evil appears as good in the minds of those whom god leads to destruction." ---Sophocles
I bought multiple copies of On Tyranny when it first came out, carried and gave away many. I saw a lot of interviews with him--looking tired at three or four in the morning in Vienna. He's really tired now, but the fight's still not gone.
Next week, we have a vote in Wisconsin for a Supreme Court justice that will determine whether abortion is illegal in that state and whether political gerrymandering will continue to tilt toward the Republicans. Next week, there are special elections to replace Florida's Republican former U.S. Reps. Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz. They will be held in GOP strongholds, but the polls show it too close to call for one of them. Elise Stefanik bailed out of her confirmation hearings because Trump felt they could lose her seat and one or two in Florida. It could be a great week!
One could say that Tim Snyder is obeying in advance. I realize his situation is more complex, because it affects an institution he cares about. Whatever the reason, people are taking actions preemptively that the Trump administration will force on them at some point. They're anticipating what's coming.
Yeah I noticed too that he is "obeying in advance." Is he not following his own advice? I read his book Bloodlands. Very good. Will have to check out On Tyranny.
I wonder if it is worse than you say, not only Yale's hopefully short term interests, but threats of violence. Surely institutions which resist Trump will gain enormous dividends in the long run. Republican members of Congress have said in private they are afraid for themselves and even their families if they oppose Trump's agenda. As Snyder has said dictators can punish opponents via official government actions and via unofficial thugs protected from prosecution. If so this is not "competitive authoritarianism" as some claim, but full on dictatorship and there is only a short time to stop it.
Nothing about any of this comes as a surprise. Trump has been broadcasting his love of authoritarianism for years. To convince the clueless, he even launched a coup attempt. This is what Americans voted for. Meanwhile the GOP, which controls both houses of Congress, has cravenly lay down and rolled over in hopes of getting a nice tummy rub instead of a kick. Any doubts? Their latest project is to begin re-writing history by ridding the Smithsonian of “wokeness.” In their view, slavery wasn’t so bad and the Confederates were patriots.
I do take exception to Trump being depicted as a “strongman.” He’s a madman, and those who support him are as crazy as he is. "Evil appears as good in the minds of those whom god leads to destruction." ---Sophocles
Mr. Snyder is smart to get out while he can.
Watch out, Peter, they’re coming for bloggers next! (I’d put a laughing emoji here, except it’s not funny anymore)
I own and have read Snyder's books. Not familiar with others in this report. Those who think Trump is bluffing are not following what is going on.
Here is John Lithgow reading On Tyranny:
https://open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p/twenty-lessons-read-by-john-lithgow?r=22nojg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
I bought multiple copies of On Tyranny when it first came out, carried and gave away many. I saw a lot of interviews with him--looking tired at three or four in the morning in Vienna. He's really tired now, but the fight's still not gone.
Next week, we have a vote in Wisconsin for a Supreme Court justice that will determine whether abortion is illegal in that state and whether political gerrymandering will continue to tilt toward the Republicans. Next week, there are special elections to replace Florida's Republican former U.S. Reps. Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz. They will be held in GOP strongholds, but the polls show it too close to call for one of them. Elise Stefanik bailed out of her confirmation hearings because Trump felt they could lose her seat and one or two in Florida. It could be a great week!
One could say that Tim Snyder is obeying in advance. I realize his situation is more complex, because it affects an institution he cares about. Whatever the reason, people are taking actions preemptively that the Trump administration will force on them at some point. They're anticipating what's coming.
Yeah I noticed too that he is "obeying in advance." Is he not following his own advice? I read his book Bloodlands. Very good. Will have to check out On Tyranny.
I wonder if it is worse than you say, not only Yale's hopefully short term interests, but threats of violence. Surely institutions which resist Trump will gain enormous dividends in the long run. Republican members of Congress have said in private they are afraid for themselves and even their families if they oppose Trump's agenda. As Snyder has said dictators can punish opponents via official government actions and via unofficial thugs protected from prosecution. If so this is not "competitive authoritarianism" as some claim, but full on dictatorship and there is only a short time to stop it.
Here's Snyder on Greenland:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/31/trump-greenland-us-morally-wrong-strategy-disastrous