Many believe Trump's implausible lie that he won,
"because it takes a tremendous amount of work to educate citizens to resist the powerful pull of believing what they already believe, or what others around them believe, or what would make sense of their own previous choices..."
As far back as *Aristotle* there are warnings of the acute risk "a wealthy and talented demagogue could all too easily master the minds of the populace, [so] the framers of the Constitution instituted a system of checks and balances..."
...That is why it's crucial America understand... "the responsibility for Trump’s push to overturn an election *must* be shared by a very large number of Republican members of Congress."

Historian @TimothyDSnyder

nytimes.com/2021/01/09/mag… (overlaps @ezraklein )
Snyder argues *some* elected Republicans may side with Trump as a "political" way to win over voters, but *others* aim to "actually break the system and have power without democracy" - abusing temporary power in Congress on a path to permanent power in an authoritarian regime.
"An elected institution that opposes elections is inviting its own overthrow."

nytimes.com/2021/01/09/mag… @TimothyDSnyder
For some Republicans, the Capitol invasion "must have been a shock or a lesson...

For the breakers, however, it may have been a taste of the future. *Afterward,* 8 senators and more than 100 representatives voted for the lie that had forced them to *flee their chambers*"
"Truth defends itself particularly poorly when there is not very much of it around..

Social media is no substitute: It supercharges [how] we seek *emotional* stimulation and comfort... losing the distinction between what feels true, and what actually is true."
"A conspiracy theory makes its victim look strong-Trump as resisting the Democrats, the Republicans, the Deep State..

A focus on alleged “irregularities”.. comes down to cities where Black people live.. a fantasy of fraud-A 'crime committed by Black people against white people'"
"Post-truth is pre-fascism."

nytimes.com/2021/01/09/mag…

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More from @AriMelber

12 Jan
There still "hasn't been an official briefing or press conference from the Capitol Police since the attack." ( @alexi )

Remember, law enforcement briefings are *routine* for far smaller security breaches and investigations.
Law enforcement briefings are *supposed* to provide transparency, deterrence against would-be offenders, and public safety information that can be vital when a crime or plot may pose future risk.
A reminder of the obvious:

Even if Donald Trump were *not* involved in encouraging the criminal rioters, *any* massive, deadly breach of the U.S. Capitol would still be one of the greatest homeland security failings of any modern administration.
Read 5 tweets
6 Jan
Many people at the Capitol right now have legal exposure for committing federal crimes.

Here is some of the relevant law...
It is a violation of federal law to trespass -- entering or remaining in a building that a person is not licensed to enter.
It is a violation of federal law to enter a restricted government building, or to engage in disorderly contact near it that impedes government business.
Read 9 tweets
6 Nov 20
MSNBC cut away from The President's remarks tonight for a fact check...



(1/x)
And we continued reporting the facts and law about the counting process, and then heard from a Secretary of State about the counting process -- and the actual legal requirements for when there are legitimate legal questions regarding the vote.
There are also some important points about President Trump's current legal position - *apart* from what he claimed tonight (some of which does not bear repeating)...

#Thread ...
Read 12 tweets
4 Nov 20
As I just reported on air in our Election Coverage...
What we just heard from The President is horrific for democracy.

Mark down the time: The President of the United States declaring, We want all voting to stop.
Constitutionally, that is *not* how it works. It is wrong, legally.
Read 15 tweets
29 Oct 20
Our new special report:

Why America's systemic racism goes far *beyond* police brutality or just the criminal justice system:
(pt1)
Our new special report:

Why Trump-era racism is on the ballot this year and every voter must answer -- Are you for or against *this*?...

(pt2)
The question for voters considering Trump now, with everything documented, is do you support this?—
Read 4 tweets
20 Oct 20
NEW: Presidential Debate Commission announces it will add a #MUTE button for each of the "two minute" opening remarks sections of the debate...

... but then both candidates' mics will still be open during the remaining 13 minutes of each section.
So, that's a little more mute button than before - but for the bulk of the final debate, a candidate who insists on talking over the other candidate's time will not be prevented from doing that under the rules, sanction or technology.
Commission:
"The only candidate whose microphone will be open during these 2-minute periods is the candidate who has the floor under the rules. For the balance.. both candidates’ microphones will be open..."
Read 4 tweets

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