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Trump’s pardons of the 1/6 insurrectionists, together with those that dedicated acts of violence, weren’t shocking. Trump has been saying that he’s going to pardon these folks for years.
Nevertheless, Rachel Maddow identified that the pardons and clemencies are boring for a special cause.
Maddow mentioned:
 In authoritarian Hungary, Viktor Orban’s authorities pardoned a far proper agitator who had set fireplace to the properties of Orban’s political rivals. In Turkey, Erdogan had pardoned the chief of a far proper nationalist paramilitary group that mobilized on his behalf and engaged in avenue violence. In Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe pardoned a whole lot of people that carried out election associated violence on his behalf.
Pinochet in Chile gave, and Fujimori in Peru. gave blanket amnesties to their safety forces. For those who’re on my aspect, the regulation does not apply to you. Do not even ask me in regards to the SA in Germany. Do not get me began.
However that is day one. Unfolding just about the best way we anticipated it to, and sure, that is novel in American historical past, however it’s also knowable in world historical past. As a result of it is the identical stuff each different can be authoritarian chief does in each nation that has needed to take care of a frontrunner like that. And As Individuals, you recognize, we have had unhealthy inaugurations earlier than, together with the one the place one of many principals was too drunk to face.
We have had blatant money in envelopes to the vice chairman corruption earlier than. We have had political violence earlier than. We have had civil struggle. However earlier than, every of these issues has been handled as a calamity and a scandal. This time, it is a platform. That is textbook authoritarian takeover 101 techniques. Which suggests right this moment and actually over the following few days, they are going to see what they’ll get away with and the way a lot they’ll cow folks into not opposing what they’re doing and never talking out about what’s improper with it.
Greater than ever, this isn’t a time to fake this is not taking place. You are going to need to have a very good reply if you get requested what you probably did to your nation when your nation began to take a flip this radical. We’re right here.
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One of many criticisms of Maddow’s exhibits from her viewers is that she has change into very darkish and miserable to look at.
If these exhibits are going to be 100 days of Rachel Maddow telling her viewers that America is doomed, this won’t be the tonic that many individuals are looking for.
None of what Trump did on day one was sudden and it’s a leap to get Trump pardons 1/6 insurrectionists to Trump kinds his personal paramilitary drive to finish democracy.
For sure, we aren’t there but. It’s not good that Trump pardoned and commuted these sentences, neither is it the top of democracy.
Trump desperately needs to rewrite the historical past of 1/6, and that’s possible his primary motivation for making the convictions of those that carried out a violent tried coup allegedly at his path disappear.
What do you consider the 1/6 pardons? Share your ideas within the feedback under.