For the sake of both principle and precedent, and for the long-term preservation of our society, our country must bring the perpetrators of Trump administration crimes to justice.
1/8
But the difficult reality is that justice will be damaging if we do not first establish truth. In a society with two different conceptions of reality, efforts toward justice, no matter how legitimate, will only be interpreted as vengeance by the opposing side.
2/8
The result will be to drive further division and hasten social collapse. The bifurcation of the country and the current rightwing reaction reflects this troubling fact.
We may tell ourselves that we are being righteous in pursuing justice, only to simultaneously see our actions jeopardize our very existence.
4/8
So what is the solution?
One key priority will be to focus efforts on rooting corruption out of our system of government—a profound concern that contributes to the disillusionment of many Americans.
5/8
But even that will be challenging, since Americans have been divided into tribes related to whom exactly they deem corrupt.
Therefore, re-establishing shared truth will remain paramount.
6/8
It will not be easy. It will only be possible with an astutely designed Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission, with action to beat back the hyper-polarized media landscape, with courageous leadership, and with a simultaneous focus on policies to improve livelihoods.
7/8
Bottom line: only if justice is instituted thoughtfully—not impulsively, not tribally, not vindictively—will we be able to channel accountability toward true healing.
8/8
In government, the people are the ultimate institution where power lies, serving as the backstop against tyranny when all other systems fail.
1/
When those in office refuse a peaceful transition of power, it is the duty of the people to ensure a proper transition.
When the checks and balances in the system of government fail to function properly, it is the duty of the people to restore the social order.
2/
When truth does not prevail and instead becomes perverted in the interest of oppression, it is the duty of the people to reestablish shared reality, community, and trust.
3/
Let me tell you the story—the nightmare—of Idi Amin in Uganda. Because it is about time that Americans start learning a few things from Africans.
1/
In 1971, Amin, as the head of the Ugandan military, was facing likely prosecution for the misappropriation of army funds.
So he decided to launch a military coup to seize power. The coup was hardly the first time that Amin’s elite status enabled him to escape justice.
2/
While Amin had only a 4th-grade education and was repeatedly derided as “stupid,” he was doubtless a good fighter.
In the 1950s and 60s, he had ascended the ranks of the British Colonial Army and later the Ugandan Army, culminating in his 1970 appointment as military chief.
Round 1 of Trump’s coup was the election, while Round 2 has been his efforts to discredit the election’s outcome and contest it in court.
Now, we are entering Round 3—the much darker and far more dangerous phase of the coup.
1/
Trump’s attack on America is hardly over. But ever since the General Services Administration authorized the release of transition funds—which was probably only a strategic concession by the Trump administration—many Americans have checked out.
2/
But as the recent events in our capitol should demonstrate, the coming weeks may well be the most perilous stretch that our country has ever faced.
Before highlighting what we must expect in this period, let’s review some background, including the current state of the coup.
3/
If Trump's coup fails, many people will erroneously conclude that "the system worked," rather than that "the system is on the verge of collapse."
1/5
This flawed reasoning will have the troubling effect of reinforcing beliefs in American exceptionalism, setting us up for potentially greater danger in 2024.
2/5
Yet it is amply clear that Trump's attempted coup has already set profoundly damaging precedents—by normalizing efforts to endlessly and baselessly contest elections and by introducing new and even more extreme tactics for electoral theft.
3/5
Although everything currently unfolding has been predicted far in advance, denialism continues to flourish. Many people are drawing incorrect conclusions with regard to Trump’s strategies and discounting the crisis before us.
1/
But now, more than ever, we need a clearsighted approach to defeat Trump.
This thread is meant to clear up key questions and to highlight crucial strategic considerations at play.
2/
Let’s first be clear about the two distinct but interrelated problems facing our country: (1) a potentially successful coup by Trump and (2) the risk of civil conflict. I will address each of these issues in turn.
3/
While Biden’s victory is thrilling, the difficult truth is that our country remains as polarized as ever. Take a moment to review the rhetoric emanating from the opposing side, and this fact will be obvious.
1/20
Moreover, while we keep hearing that “the people have spoken,” Biden won with just 51 percent of the popular vote. Many citizens who did not vote for Biden remain adamantly opposed to him.
2/20
While it is enticing to gloat in the victory of one’s political tribe, we also need to swallow a dose of reality and remain focused on the road ahead.
The electoral triumph is a critical first step in paving a better future—but that is all.