The Fascism of Donald Trump it is NOT about “We the People”

The resurgence of right-wing populism in the United States, epitomized by Donald Trump’s Project 2025 and Agenda 47, signals an alarming shift toward authoritarianism. These initiatives, cloaked in the rhetoric of patriotism and traditional values, mask a deeply fascistic agenda that threatens to dismantle fundamental civil rights, roll back protections for marginalized communities, and relegate women to subservient roles reminiscent of a bygone era. This analysis will dissect these projects from a leftist perspective, exposing the underlying fascist ideologies and their dangerous implications for American society.

The Fascist Underpinnings of Project 2025 and Agenda 47

Project 2025 and Agenda 47 are not mere political platforms but blueprints for a radical restructuring of American society. They echo the tenets of classical fascism: a hyper-nationalistic vision, the vilification of minorities, and the suppression of dissent. Trump’s approach seeks to concentrate power in the executive branch, undermining democratic institutions and eroding the checks and balances that safeguard against tyranny (Stanley, 2018).

#### Authoritarian Power Grab

Central to both initiatives is the erosion of democratic norms. Project 2025 proposes sweeping changes to the civil service, aiming to purge career officials deemed disloyal and replace them with Trump loyalists (Milbank, 2023). This move parallels historical purges seen in fascist regimes, where political conformity was enforced through state apparatus (Paxton, 2004).

By attempting to replace independent civil servants with partisan loyalists, Project 2025 mirrors actions taken by autocratic leaders who seek to eliminate dissent and ensure unwavering support for their policies. The civil service, designed to be apolitical and serve successive administrations with impartiality, is a cornerstone of democratic governance. Undermining this neutrality threatens to politicize governance, eroding public trust and efficiency in government operations (Miller, 2022).

Moreover, Trump’s proposed loyalty tests and purges align with fascist strategies to consolidate power by creating an environment where dissent is not tolerated. This centralization of authority disrupts the balance of power and paves the way for unchecked executive actions, reminiscent of Mussolini’s and Hitler’s ascents to power (Ben-Ghiat, 2020).

#### Militarization and Police State

Agenda 47 outlines an aggressive expansion of military and police powers under the guise of law and order. This echoes the fascist valorization of military strength and the repression of political dissent through state violence (Griffin, 1991). The proposed deployment of federal troops to quell protests, as seen during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations, exemplifies this dangerous trajectory (Anderson, 2020).

The militarization of the police force is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes, which use state violence to suppress opposition and maintain control. Trump’s advocacy for increasing police funding and expanding their powers under the pretense of combating crime often targets marginalized communities and political opponents. The use of federal forces against peaceful protesters not only violates civil liberties but also instills fear and discourages political activism (Sampson, 2021).

Additionally, Trump’s call for a national stop-and-frisk policy and other aggressive law enforcement tactics disproportionately affects Black and Latino communities, perpetuating systemic racism and inequality. This approach aligns with historical fascist tactics where law enforcement is used as a tool for racial and political oppression (Giroux, 2017).

### Assault on Civil Liberties and Minority Rights

Trump’s initiatives pose a direct threat to civil liberties, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals, racial minorities, and immigrants. The rollback of protections for these groups is not an unintended consequence but a deliberate feature of a reactionary agenda.

#### Targeting LGBTQ+ Rights

Project 2025 aims to dismantle existing protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, framing such measures as a defense of “traditional family values” (Human Rights Campaign, 2023). Policies reminiscent of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era and the revocation of healthcare protections for transgender individuals highlight a systematic effort to marginalize this community (Miller, 2017).

Trump’s administration has consistently targeted LGBTQ+ rights through various policy changes and executive orders. For instance, the rollback of Obama-era guidelines allowing transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity, the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, and the support for religious exemptions that permit discrimination against LGBTQ+ people all indicate a concerted effort to undermine LGBTQ+ protections (Human Rights Campaign, 2020).

Moreover, Project 2025's potential to endorse conversion therapy practices, which have been widely discredited and condemned by medical professionals, underscores the administration’s intent to deny the legitimacy of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences. Such measures reflect a broader agenda to enforce heteronormative standards and marginalize those who deviate from them (Lambda Legal, 2019).

#### Institutionalized Racism

Both initiatives exhibit overt and covert forms of racism. The emphasis on restrictive immigration policies and the rhetoric surrounding “law and order” serve as thinly veiled attacks on non-white communities (Sampson, 2021). The proposed increase in border security and the criminalization of undocumented immigrants echo historical fascist policies of racial purity and exclusion (Ben-Ghiat, 2020).

Trump’s immigration policies, including the construction of the border wall, family separations, and the Muslim travel ban, are rooted in xenophobic and racist ideologies. These measures dehumanize immigrants and perpetuate the narrative of immigrants as criminals and threats to national security, which fuels racial animus and division (López, 2019).

Furthermore, the administration’s efforts to undermine voting rights through voter ID laws, purges of voter rolls, and attacks on mail-in voting disproportionately affect Black and Latino voters. These tactics are reminiscent of Jim Crow-era strategies to disenfranchise non-white populations and maintain white supremacy (Berman, 2015).

#### Suppression of Women’s Rights

A critical aspect of these projects is the attempt to relegate women to traditional, subservient roles. By undermining reproductive rights and promoting policies that favor traditional family structures, Trump’s agenda seeks to institutionalize gender inequality (Smith, 2022).

Project 2025's focus on defunding Planned Parenthood, appointing anti-abortion judges, and promoting abstinence-only education are direct attacks on women’s autonomy and reproductive rights. These policies not only endanger women’s health but also aim to control women’s bodies and limit their participation in the workforce and public life (Guttmacher Institute, 2020).

Moreover, the emphasis on “traditional family values” often translates into policies that discourage women from pursuing careers and independence. Initiatives promoting tax benefits for stay-at-home mothers and reducing funding for childcare support aim to reinforce the idea that a woman’s primary role is in the home, thereby perpetuating gender stereotypes and economic dependency (Coontz, 2016).

### Economic Policies and Class Warfare

While projecting an image of economic populism, the economic policies under Project 2025 and Agenda 47 primarily serve the interests of the wealthy elite. Tax cuts for the rich, deregulation, and the dismantling of social safety nets exacerbate income inequality and class divisions (Krugman, 2019).

#### Deregulation and Environmental Destruction

Environmental regulations face severe rollbacks under these plans, prioritizing corporate profits over ecological sustainability. This deregulation not only threatens public health but also disproportionately affects low-income communities and people of color (McKibben, 2019).

Trump’s administration has systematically dismantled environmental protections, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, rolling back fuel efficiency standards, and easing restrictions on pollution from coal plants. These actions prioritize short-term economic gains for corporations over long-term environmental health and sustainability, contributing to climate change and environmental degradation (NPR, 2020).

The impact of environmental deregulation is felt most acutely by marginalized communities who often live near industrial sites and suffer from higher rates of pollution-related health issues. This environmental racism perpetuates existing health disparities and undermines the quality of life for low-income and non-white communities (Bullard, 2000).

#### Undermining Labor Rights

Trump’s labor policies favor deregulation and anti-union measures, undermining workers’ rights and collective bargaining. This approach weakens the power of the working class and consolidates corporate power, reflecting a broader trend of neoliberalism with fascist tendencies (Harvey, 2005).

The administration’s support for right-to-work laws, opposition to minimum wage increases, and rollback of workplace safety regulations weaken the labor movement and exacerbate economic inequality. By undermining unions, which have historically been a critical force for advancing workers’ rights and securing better wages and conditions, these policies favor corporate interests over those of ordinary workers (Lichtenstein, 2013).

Moreover, Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations exacerbate income inequality, with the benefits of economic growth accruing primarily to the top 1%. This concentration of wealth and power among the elite further entrenches the economic divide and undermines the prospects for upward mobility for the working class (Saez & Zucman, 2019).

### Conclusion

Project 2025 and Agenda 47 represent a profound threat to the foundational principles of democracy, equality, and justice. Their fascist underpinnings, manifested through authoritarian power grabs, assaults on civil liberties, and economic policies favoring the elite, call for vigilant resistance. The left must mobilize to protect the rights of all Americans and to preserve the democratic institutions that safeguard against tyranny.

References

• Anderson, C. (2020). *Law and Disorder: Trump’s Militarization of American Policing*. Journal of Contemporary Politics.
• - Ben-Ghiat, R. (2020). *Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present*. Norton.
• - Berman, A. (2015). *Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America*. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• - Bullard, R. D. (2000). *Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and