20 Lessons to Fight Trump's Tyranny Before It's Too Late

20 Steps To Stop Trump Donald Trump is unleashing dangerous policies that will tear America apart - but history has a few lessons on how to stop fascism. Thom Hartmann shares 20 lessons to fight Trump's tyranny before it's too late. MORE FROM THOM 📃 Thom's Hartmann's 'Daily Take' Newsletter: https://HartmannReport.com 🎦 Watch a full program re-run anytime: https://www.patreon.com/thomhartmann 🎧 Audio Podcast: https://thom.tv FOLLOW THOM 📕 AMAZON: https://amzn.to/2hS4UwY 📝 DAILY TAKE: https://hartmannreport.com 👥 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThomHartmannProgram/ 📸 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/Thom_Hartmann 🎦 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/thomhartmann 🐦 X: https://www.twitter.com/thom_hartmann Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hartmannreport.com 🌐 WEBSITE: https://www.thomhartmann.com 📺 YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=thomhartmann 👕 Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/thom-hartmann-program-2 🍺 Thom Merchandise: https://teespring.com/thom-hartmann-mug?pid=522&cid=101870 ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Thom Hartmann Program is the leading progressive political talk radio show for political news and comments about Government politics, be it Liberal or Conservative, plus special guests and callers. #MoreFromThom ✔ Amazon links are affiliate links TRANSCRIPT The lessons on tyranny from Timothy Snyder—this is from his Substack newsletter, which I strongly recommend you join. I subscribe to it: Snyder.Substack.com. I want to share with you his words, not mine, though I'll offer some commentary on what I think are probably the 10 or 15 best of his 20 suggestions. Number one: Do not obey in advance. He notes that most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. Don't do it. You might have noticed: I am not obeying in advance. We are not sitting here saying, "Well, he's going to do okay, let's give him some time." No. It's time to fight back. Number two: Defend institutions. He notes that institutions help us preserve democracy. Choose an institution you care about—a court, a newspaper, a law, or a labor union. I would add nonprofits fighting fascism in the United States, whether it's Indivisible, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), Move to Amend, MoveOn, environmental groups, or others. Find one whose work resonates with you and join. Number three: Beware the one-party state. He says we must defend the rules of democratic elections. Vote in local and state elections while you can. Consider running for office. I would add: Join the Democratic Party, because right now it's the only political party in America capable of winning national elections and opposing fascism. Number four: Take responsibility for the face of the world. Notice swastikas and other symbols of hate these GOP-aligned groups are displaying. Remove them yourself and set an example for others. I would also point out Elon Musk's Hitler salute yesterday—it was just over the top. Number five: Remember professional ethics. It's hard to subvert a rule-of-law state without lawyers or to hold show trials without judges. Authoritarians need obedient civil servants, concentration camp directors, and businessmen interested in cheap labor. If you're in one of these institutions—especially if you're an attorney—this is your opportunity to resist. Number six: Be wary of paramilitaries. When pro-leader paramilitary groups and official police or military forces intermingle, the end has come. I think we're months away from that. Keep a close eye on it. He says, "Be reflective if you must be armed," which applies primarily to those who carry weapons as security guards, police officers, etc. Number eight: Stand out. He says, "Remember Rosa Parks. The moment you set an example, the spell of the status quo is broken, and others will follow." Number nine: Be kind to our language. Avoid using the phrases everyone else does. In other words, don't use the language of oppressors. Number ten: Believe in truth. To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. We live in a post-truth world—the "alternative facts" of the Trump administration are a prime example. Number fifteen: Contribute to good causes. Be active in organizations, political or otherwise, that express your values. In one of my articles—possibly the Saturday Report on HartmanReport.com—I noted that I’ve started making monthly donations. They’re small—$15, $30, $50—but they add up. I'm supporting groups like the ACLU that are fighting to preserve democracy. If you don’t have money, you can contribute your time. Reach out and get involved. Number seventeen: Listen for dangerous words. Be alert to fatal notions like "emergency" and "exception." Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic language. These people are not patriots—they're fascists, trying to destroy democracy. We must be clear about that.