Summary Protecting Criminals is Now the GOP's Job as an Autocratic Party open.substack.com
1,462 words - html page - View html page
One Line
The GOP's actions suggest a commitment to autocracy as they protect criminals, erase evidence, and manipulate institutions to shield them.
Slides
Slide Presentation (8 slides)
Key Points
- Protecting and promoting criminals is a priority for authoritarian parties and governments.
- Speaker Mike Johnson of the GOP has stated that House Republicans will blur footage from the Jan. 6 attack to help participants avoid being brought to justice.
- The GOP has normalized impunity by making the methods and philosophy of the Jan. 6 attempted coup into party dogma.
- Johnson's statement sends a message that the Republican party will defend MAGA thugs and fanatics if they engage in acts of political violence.
- Authoritarian leaders have historically used pardons to corrupt people, hide their crimes, and free up criminal elements for service to the party and the state.
- The GOP's intention to blur faces and protect those who engaged in violent actions on behalf of an autocrat aligns with authoritarian traditions.
- The GOP aims to remake the DOJ to serve autocratic goals, protecting criminals rather than holding them accountable.
Summaries
17 word summary
The GOP shields criminals, erases evidence, and reshapes institutions to protect them, demonstrating their commitment to autocracy.
55 word summary
The GOP protects and promotes criminals, normalizing impunity and reshaping institutions to serve their autocratic goals. Blurring faces in footage and shielding participants in the January 6 attack are steps towards consolidating power. By erasing evidence and reshaping the DOJ, they aim to protect criminals instead of holding them accountable, highlighting their commitment to autocracy.
334 word summary
The GOP's role as an autocratic party involves protecting and promoting criminals, turning their actions into patriotic endeavors. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's statement that House Republicans will blur footage from the January 6 attack to help participants avoid justice exemplifies this behavior. The party has normalized impunity by declaring the assault on the Capitol as “legitimate political discourse,” providing a rationale for undermining democracy. Johnson's statement not only shields participants in the coup attempt but also sends a message to future potential perpetrators of political violence that the Republican party will defend them.
Authoritarian leaders use pardons to corrupt individuals, hide their own crimes, and recruit unscrupulous elements into service. Johnson's declaration aligns with this strategy, aiming to consolidate a revisionist narrative about January 6 for campaign purposes. The GOP aims to cleanse the DOJ if they regain power, erasing evidence of incriminating actions. Blurring faces is a temporary measure until they can reshape the DOJ to serve autocratic goals.
In an autocracy, crime and the law take on different meanings. Leaders like Trump justify corrupt and violent acts to attain and maintain power. The promise and reality of pardons play a role in incentivizing such behavior. Historical examples illustrate this strategy.
If Trump and the GOP have their way, the DOJ would be remade to protect criminals rather than hold them accountable. The altered footage serves their campaign purposes, while the unaltered footage held by the DOJ preserves evidence of their crimes. The GOP's ultimate goal is to reshape the DOJ to serve autocratic goals, ensuring protection for criminals.
In conclusion, the GOP's role as an autocratic party involves protecting and promoting criminals, normalizing impunity, and reshaping institutions to serve their goals. Blurring faces in footage and shielding participants in the January 6 attack are steps towards consolidating their power. By erasing evidence and reshaping the DOJ, they aim to protect criminals rather than hold them accountable. The GOP's actions highlight their commitment to autocracy and the erosion of democratic principles.
412 word summary
The GOP's role as an autocratic party involves protecting and promoting criminals, turning their actions into patriotic endeavors. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's statement that House Republicans will blur footage from the January 6 attack to help participants avoid justice exemplifies this behavior. The party has normalized impunity by declaring the assault on the Capitol as "legitimate political discourse," providing a rationale for undermining democracy. Johnson's statement not only shields participants in the coup attempt but also sends a message to future potential perpetrators of political violence that the Republican party will defend them.
Authoritarian leaders use pardons as a means to corrupt individuals, discourage dissent, hide their own crimes, and recruit unscrupulous elements into service. Johnson's declaration aligns with this strategy, as he seeks to consolidate a revisionist narrative about January 6 for campaign purposes. While the Department of Justice retains the unaltered footage, the GOP aims to cleanse the DOJ if they regain power, erasing evidence of incriminating actions. Blurring faces is a temporary measure until they can reshape the DOJ to serve autocratic goals.
In an autocracy, crime and the law take on different meanings. Leaders like Trump justify corrupt and violent acts to attain and maintain power. Creating an environment conducive to violence is essential in preparing for and managing autocracy. The promise and reality of pardons play a role in incentivizing such behavior. Historical examples, such as Mussolini's pardoning of political criminals and Pinochet's amnesty for human rights abusers, illustrate this strategy.
If Trump and the GOP have their way, the DOJ would be remade to protect criminals rather than hold them accountable. This aligns with the autocratic tradition of shielding participants in violent actions and discrediting democratic institutions. The altered footage serves their campaign purposes, while the unaltered footage held by the DOJ preserves evidence of their crimes. The GOP's ultimate goal is to reshape the DOJ to serve autocratic goals, ensuring protection for criminals.
In conclusion, the GOP's role as an autocratic party involves protecting and promoting criminals, normalizing impunity, and reshaping institutions to serve their goals. Blurring faces in footage and shielding participants in the January 6 attack are steps towards consolidating their power. By erasing evidence and reshaping the DOJ, they aim to protect criminals rather than hold them accountable. This behavior aligns with historical examples of authoritarian leaders using pardons to corrupt individuals and recruit unscrupulous elements. The GOP's actions highlight their commitment to autocracy and the erosion of democratic principles.