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Robert Reich: How to Describe this Catastrophe?

Link: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/regime-change
Words matter. When describing a government, they inevitably carry moral weight.
Over the last 16 months, Trump and his appointees have so profoundly undermined the United States government that we should use different words to describe these people than weve used to describe all previous administrations.
To begin with, they shouldnt be called an administration at all. They should be referred to as a regime.
The Trump regime has flagrantly defied court orders. In February 2026, a federal judge (appointed by President George W. Bush) identified approximately 200 orders from the District of Minnesota alone that ICE had ignored since the start of the year, concluding that ICE had likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence. The regime has also vilified judges who rule against it and demanded their impeachment.
The regime has usurped Congresss powers to declare war, issue tariffs, and appropriate public funds. It is using tariffs as cudgels for Trumps political aims. The regime is seeking to stifle speech and silence criticism in universities, law firms, and the media.
Secondly, this regime is not headed by a president, as the Constitution of the United States and our laws and history have designated the head of the executive branch of the U.S. government. To put the term President before Trumps name defiles the Constitution. He is an authoritarian.
Trump has illegally fired more than 300,000 career civil servants. He has fired inspectors general who are charged with holding political appointees accountable. He punishes whistleblowers who protest abuses. He attacks marginalized groups and foments bigotry....
- more at link -
Over the last 16 months, Trump and his appointees have so profoundly undermined the United States government that we should use different words to describe these people than weve used to describe all previous administrations.
To begin with, they shouldnt be called an administration at all. They should be referred to as a regime.
The Trump regime has flagrantly defied court orders. In February 2026, a federal judge (appointed by President George W. Bush) identified approximately 200 orders from the District of Minnesota alone that ICE had ignored since the start of the year, concluding that ICE had likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence. The regime has also vilified judges who rule against it and demanded their impeachment.
The regime has usurped Congresss powers to declare war, issue tariffs, and appropriate public funds. It is using tariffs as cudgels for Trumps political aims. The regime is seeking to stifle speech and silence criticism in universities, law firms, and the media.
Secondly, this regime is not headed by a president, as the Constitution of the United States and our laws and history have designated the head of the executive branch of the U.S. government. To put the term President before Trumps name defiles the Constitution. He is an authoritarian.
Trump has illegally fired more than 300,000 career civil servants. He has fired inspectors general who are charged with holding political appointees accountable. He punishes whistleblowers who protest abuses. He attacks marginalized groups and foments bigotry....
Please read the rest on Robert Reich's substack (OP link). We're seeing the results of the "Project 2025" presentation that Chump told us he knew nothing about. WTF?!?
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Robert Reich: How to Describe this Catastrophe? (Original Post)
FakeNoose
10 hrs ago
OP
The Blue Flower
(6,584 posts)1. 'Authoritarian' has too many syllables
Call him a dictator. Stalin 2.0, who is actively trying to destroy his own country.
dweller
(28,657 posts)2. Even simpler
He is the enemy of the people
✌🏻
magicarpet
(19,401 posts)3. TYRANT,...
..... works too...
LymphocyteLover
(10,123 posts)4. I call him a corrupt disgusting pedo-rapist piece of shit