I rarely wake up not worried these days. The threat of fascism is too significant not to do so.
I think it is getting very much more obvious this week. As Edward Luce, hardly a left-wing commentator, noted in the FT this week:
At around noon on April 14 2025, America ceased to have a law-abiding government. Some would argue that had already happened on January 20, when Donald Trump was inaugurated. On Monday, however, Trump chose to ignore a 9-0 Supreme Court ruling to repatriate an illegally deported man. He even claimed the judges ruled in his favour. The US president's middle finger to the court was echoed by his attorney-general, secretary of state, [and] vice-president.
The rule of law in the USA has ended.
Or rather, the rule of law that Trump does not like has ended, which amounts to much the same thing.
I think this is going to get very much worse, very quickly, for two reasons, leading to one consequence.
The first reason is noted in this Politico article:
A federal judge on Wednesday found probable cause to hold Trump administration officials in criminal contempt for what he said was a “willful disregard” of his order to stop transferring deportees to El Salvador for imprisonment in a notorious maximum security prison.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg found that the government last month rushed to fly two planes carrying hundreds of passengers to the Salvadoran prison in the hours after the judge barred the government from doing so.
“The Constitution does not tolerate willful disobedience of judicial orders — especially by officials of a coordinate branch who have sworn an oath to uphold it,” Boasberg wrote in a 46-page decision.
A judge is threatening the administration with allegations that usually result in a custodial sentence: judges do not like being ignored.
Then there is this, also from Politico:
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is suing Donald Trump over tariffs in an aggressive move to end the president's stranglehold on global commerce.
Newsom's lawsuit, announced Wednesday morning with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, is the first challenge from a U.S. state against Trump's signature foreign policy cudgel.
California, the world's fifth largest economy, stands to lose billions to tariffs with major state industries from Silicon Valley to agriculture heavily dependent on global trade.
I do, of course, welcome both these moves. But so too will Trump.
Almost three months ago, he instructed Vice President J D Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hesgeth to consider whether a state of emergency existed in the USA requiring that the President invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807. That Act says this:
Section 333 appears key here. Trump will, no doubt, consider that the actions of the above-noted judge and Governor Newsom in California to be actions that "so hinders the execution of the laws ... of the United States ... or (2) opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws" that the Insurrection Act can be invoked.
That creates martial law in the USA.
He does, of course, have to take the Army and National Guard with him on this, but note he can also call up a militia. He may do just that.
This is looking very dangerous, and Vance and Hesgeth are due to report this weekend.
America may have given up all appearance of being a democracy by next week.
Then, begin to expect the disappearances to begin, very quickly.
And meanwhile, Starmer will continue to pursue a trade deal pursuant to our 'special relationship'.
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Amusing stuff.
I understand that the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) will undergo a name change reflecting these dire times: “Supreme Court Republican Of The United Maga”. Gentle readers can work out for themselves the new acronym. It then follows that judges will be erm…
Not Amusing stuff
Executive orders and the state of emergency were/are clearly part of a plan for one group of people to seize control of the USA. The last part of the blog points in one direction: civil war. Weeks? months? Anybody with sense will vacate the USA asap.
On a related note, if/when the USA laspes into civil war (or something like it) & given Ruzzia is losing circa 40,000 troops per month, every month, the latter will reach a point where it will start going backwards. With the USM incapacitated, you can expect Ruzzia to give a “demonstration” of a tactical nuke – possibly Ukraine, possibly an EU country (NATO Article 5> dead). I have long passed the point where I give a stuff about the USA – they were never a friend, & anybody in the UK gov that thinks so is deluded – sure keep up pretenses – but I wonder what (if any) preparations are underway to deal with a USM collpase. We are heading for a very changed world.
Ridicule. We must never forget ridicule – for our sanity alone. Well done Mike!
It is the contradictions in a society that determine what happens next under such a change-onslaught as this. The future of America is in its history, how it was formed and made. The answers lie there as to what happens next. It will get ugly close up and personal I think , with a battle between coastal and fly-over state points of view. Those two sides exist already.
Any President of the U.S. knows this history and knows that they are sitting on a powder keg at any time. Trump – who is not presidential material nor a good businessman for that matter – is so full of hubris and self serving that he ignores this. It could bring him down and to book yet. America is full of surprises because we only really get to see one side of it over here.
I do not see an epiphany ever happening in the crusty old UK in my time – l’ancien regime and all that. Power here is exerted here in more subtle and cunning ways – high level fascism to me.
I was having a bleak conversation with a friend where I predicted there would be at least one nuclear detonation in anger before the end of this decade. I said things are becoming too unstable, and so many checks and balances have been removed that someone, probably Russia, will get backed into a corner and feel they have to use one. I’m not sure how serious I was at the time, but I’m feeling more confident in my prediction now.
The obvious weakness of any democracy is the inability of the Courts to enforce their orders of the Government doesnt want to play nicely.
I would love to be a ‘fly on the wall’ around senior officers in the Military, FBI, US Marshalls etc
I watched the White House Press Conference live yesterday evening. (Sad, I know). Karoline Leavitt “doubled down” on the deportation case…. what else did we expect.
However, I had to turn off when her “special guest” was introduced – a mother of a daughter murdered by an immigrant. The exploitation of her misery for political gain was too much for me and I switched off before she spoke. I was appalled.
I watch these too sometimes
I am glad I missed last night
Did anyone see the social media video clip showing Leavitt in the Green Room about to go out the door to meet the press, where she recited a prayer out loud to ‘Dear Lord Jesus’ to give her strength’ etc, before proceeding to the lectern to tell syncophantic lies and display thoroughly unchristian cruelty?
I’ve said several times in comments that Trump and his cronies have to come up with a plan to stop the mid terms next year – which they’d lose badly, and thus their control of the US. Martial law was always the obvious way, as was complete control of the voting apparatus – although that would be difficult in blue states unless they controlled the technology. So martial law it is.
This is entirely consistent with what Trump said at least twice in the election campaign – both times as far as I recall to ultra religious group – that if he won the Presidency again there would be ‘no more elections.’
We’ll soon see what the military thinks to this. If there’s a split within the military, or between the regular army and the national guard, state police, etc, etc, I think we can expect far worse. I suspect Alex Garland’s 2024 film ‘Civil War’ may well be very prescient.
I greatly fear so
You say:
” Martial law was always the obvious way, as was complete control of the voting apparatus – although that would be difficult in blue states unless they controlled the technology”.
mm -they DO control the technology.
Trump admitted it.
Typo in title: second i should be an o.
Changed
Thanks
Full report on this from Rachel Maddow (top segment).
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show
I’ll bet serious money that Trump and his cronies will not comply and thus, to quote Rachel, the constitution is torn up and the US goes over the abyss.
However, on the way down the Supreme Court will intervene, but even if they offer a parachute will Trump take it?
I suspect not.
Thanks
Will watch later
Taxes and tariffs are the responsibility of Congress with some authority having been delegated to the President. Governor Newsom clearly thinks the President is acting outwith his powers. He’s not an insurrectionist (but Trump is). He’s perfectly entitled to seek a ruling through the Courts for the damage done to California and its people by the actions of an out of control Executive. He’s merely asking the Courts to interpret the law and to rule accordingly.
Judge Boasberg and the other Judge, Judge Xinis, involved in the case of the Mr Garcia, unlawfully – and this is accepted by the Trump administration – removed from the US to the El Salvadorean concentration camp, are doing their jobs without fear or favour as per their oaths.
The Supreme Court will take a dim view of Trump trying to impose martial law for the chaos he and his Cabinet have themselves caused. He may still have his immunity from prosecution for any criminal actions he takes whilst in office but his Deputy Dopes do not and they’re the ones who will, at least initially, be facing the Judges to explain their illegal actions.
Trump imposing martial law in the US openly establishing a full fledged dictatorship would also green flag open aggression against all Americans abroad by those who have long resented the postwar US political or cultural global hegemon as well as increasing attacks upon those seen to be its loyal fellow travellers. It will be fascinating (perhaps the wrong word) to witness how the MAGA Trump political fanclub that is the DUP negotiate this development here in Ireland.
If you had the opportunity to meet Trump for dinner as Bill Maher and kid Rock recently did, would you take it?
Probably not
I could not guarantee I’d get back
I hoped I was wrong but it does look like the USA is heading for civil war. With more than 300 million guns in private hands it could get nasty very quickly. The outcome may depend on whether the US military observe their oath to protect the constitution or side with Trump. 🙁
“expect the disappearances to begin, very quickly.”
There have been hundreds if not thousands of ‘disappearances’ in places like China, North Korea and Russia. It’s a daily occurrence. Human Rights abuses are actually happening in these countries, not the fantasy projections you make about the USA.
Why don’t you ever comment on those? Why aren’t you worried about those?
Politely, if you think I do not have concerns about the abuses in those places you really are very, very stupid.
Perhaps there is less said in all posts because there is little we can do about these unfortunate countries, however, they stand as a warning, as we sleep walk into autocracy, then totalitarianism.
Whereas there is a lot we can still do to help ourselves and each other who live in democracies. Talk about it.
Democracy by Margaret Atwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFkxJSCzjcw
This claim – that I am a hypocrite by not condemning all abusee when condemning a new abuse – because I must mention everything all the time – is a standard far right trolling tactic
The worry that Richard and the rest of us have is that the US, up till now a democracy (albeit a highly imperfect one) where the rule of law counted, is rapidly heading towards being a dictatorship like the countries you mention.
How else do you explain a president who acts completely illegally? Ignoring a unilateral decision against him by a Supreme Court packed with pro conservative judges by that same President in his first term. That is the action of a dictator.
Who knows how this will end, but some kind of internal conflict seems highly likely. It’s already happening via legal means, let’s see how long it is before it escalated into violence.
Jim – if that is indeed your name?
The abuses in places like ex-soviet and post soviet Russia and China are well documented by history and other outlets.
That is why we are where we are Jim. It encourages you to think that these things only happen in other places and not on your own doorstep, right under your nose. Well, you are wrong.
You Jim are under the spell of capitalism, telling you that you are free. The only fantasy here is your complete faith in a dreamland and a distinct lack of critical consciousness on your part.
Let’s get this straight. You are not free matey boy. You are a prisoner of capitalism. You live in world where there are car adverts everyday lying to you about uncongested roads, and uncongested lungs, selling you the open road (ignoring the pot holes and poor upkeep) and guilt free pleasure; telling you to spend money on making your toilet smell nice for no good reason other than you are not cleaning it enough; selling holidays abroad encouraging you to increase your carbon footprint at the cost to the planet; promoting a diet that will kill you with saturated fat and sugar; encouraging you to gamble – ‘responsibly’ (Ha Ha Ha) and also encouraging to go into debt.
So, the U.S. and U.K. don’t actually kill people (are you sure, plenty of BME victims of American policing, and we’ve had one of two nasty blood scandals in the UK ?) – no you may be right – what they both have already is an overcrowded and burgeoning prison system where they remove people to that will and is being filled with people who just have different opinions.
Free Jim? You think you are free?
Wake up man. Stop dreaming. Stop being fodder for liars. If you want to be free, you don’t swap one idea for an idea that is just as bad.
Thanks
I don’t that ‘Jim Hanson’ cares too much about the points you raise or the point of this blog PSR.
As Richard says, his spiel is a standard troll tactic. Doesn’t even attempt to address the point of Richard’s post re what’s currently happening in the US, just points out what we already know about China, Russia etc.
The use of Jim Hanson as the idiot’s supposed name is a giveaway. Leading climate change scientist who’s been attacked by far right morons like our poster for years. Ho ho ho, how very witty.
I read an article yesterday, the first of a series of 5, and it scared me so much that I didn’t have the heart to go on and read the rest. I’ll read at least 1 more today and see how I go! I don’t recall where I found the link, it might well have been from someone here.
https://medium.com/@aletheisthenes/on-april-20th-2025-the-united-states-will-cross-the-point-of-no-return-0aecac04cfc3
It’s by someone called Aletheisthenes, who says “Call me Aletheisthenes. Truth (‘aletheia’ ) without strength (‘sthenos’) is fragile. Strength without truth is tyranny. I’m here to create more of both.”
Hard to believe this is happening, but it is.
Margaret Atwood was prescient in 1984 when she began writing the Handmaid’s Tale – a nasty virus, collapse of US democracy into a patriarchal theocracy, right-wing military dictatorship, war on women’s bodies….seemed implausible at the time.
A brilliant short analysis of democracy with Atwood, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFkxJSCzjcw&ab_channel=FinancialTimes
Connect with the 30% of authoritarians and their need for oneness is key, if we want things to change. The right understands this psychology well, seems social democrats not so well.
(The authoritarian disposition is just a another way of being human, partly inheritable. You can’t educate them out of this, this will shame them. Maybe authoritarians are here because they had an important function for a tribe’s survival – industrial society being a recent happening.
I see them as the hardworking backbone of our society. You’ll find them in schools, church groups, youth groups, charities, unions, street party committees; upright citizens, who roll-up their sleeves, work to make sure everyone is alright. A bit like worker bees, their unity and ability to swarm around a queen, ensures the hive survives. There’s wisdom to be found there.
30% of any population have an authoritarian disposition; it’s a spectrum; they are from the political left and right; will switch from left to right, if they find a ‘strong leader’ who is offering ‘oneness’ e.g. Make America Great Again. The leader is usually delivered by the political right, as the right seem to have drilled into this psychology, democrats (small d) show little idea how to connect with this group, or understand how key it is to connect, to protect democracy.
Authoritarians dislike deviance (can topple autocracies when deviance is discovered), as well dislike difference and complexity, what they want is ‘a more simple life’; ‘oneness’ a sense of unity, where we all have a ‘place at the table’, and then get on with life. They can embrace difference, when someone seen as different comes to the cause of oneness.
Libertarianism has pushed this group to their limits, hence threats to democracy.
Feeling marginalised and extruded, (after decades of neoliberalism) they’re turning to the strong-armed leader wrapped up in a flag, it’s usually a man. Trump, Johnson, Farage, Vance, Orban, Hitler, Mussolini, all these men are/were good at connecting and activating this key group.
Leaders like Trump are not authoritarians by disposition, in fact quite the opposite as they are deviant and don’t play by anyone’s rules, they just want dominance and control. So covertly continue to dispossess and divide, blaming their economic problems on outsiders (the normative threats) – the EU, Brussels, brown people in boats, immigrants, wokerati, chatterati, experts, civil servants, leftie teachers, universities etc . Apply the problem then apply the solution: ‘MAGA’, ‘build a wall’, ‘stop the boats’, ‘taking back control’, ‘get Brexit done’ etc )
As usual, an excellent analysis of Trump’s unconstitutional actions with regard to tariffs, starting with comparison with Nixon (for some historical context), just to show how absolutely outrageous Trumps action are, and then the constitutional stuff – with reference to the court case you refer to between California and Trump.
I’m coming to the view that Lawrence O’Donnell may be MSNBC’s equivalent to our very own Richard Murphy – certainly in terms of gravitas and thinly concealed anger 🙂
As usual, watching this segment is well worth 20 minutes of anyone’s time.
https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-as-criminal-as-nixon-was-he-had-more-respect-for-the-constitution-than-trump-237681221866
Thanks
Don’t forget Shamima Begum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamima_Begum. A politician has only to say the magic phrase “National Security” and their word becomes the law. In my lifetime we have regularly had imprisonment without trial (internment). If Richard’s unflattering opinions of KS and RR gain traction, he might well become a threat to “National Security”.
I am, I’d say…
How can this possibility be even discussed. It must be fiction but it isn’t.
Things are so unreal.
Last night’s Newsnight giving a lengthy uninterrupted platform – ‘interview’ to Douglas Murray almost explicitly calling for elimination/reduction of ‘death cult’ Muslims in Britain. His logic – blaming all Muslims for any jihadist suicide bombing would also blame all jews for Israel’s genocide/starvation in Gaza. Completely unchallenged.
So if this is our ‘public service broadcaster’ – can we be a democracy?
Good question
I had never heard of Douglas Murray before these comments about the Newsnight interview, so of course I Googled him. I must admit now, that I thought something when I saw his profile photo… but then I read that his father was a Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Lewis -the very same place that Donald Trump’s mother hailed from, so I realised that— -what, I don’t know?
It seems disappearances may already have already been happening:
https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/03/computer-scientist-goes-silent-after-fbi-raid-and-purging-from-university-website/
And there’s an interesting whistleblower about what DOGE have been doing. Brave man – hopefully he will get the chance to testify at some point..
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/04/government-it-whistleblower-calls-out-doge-says-he-was-threatened-at-home/
Visitors to your site who are of a nervous disposition might want to skip this post. Here’s a snapshot of some aspects of our “Special Relationship” with the US. What could possibly go wrong?
U.S. investment and ownership in the UK’s critical infrastructure span several key sectors. Below are specific examples illustrating this involvement:
1. Energy and Utilities
Octopus Energy: In 2024, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest U.S. public pension fund, invested $370 million in Octopus Energy, a UK-based renewable energy supplier. This investment supports Octopus’s expansion in renewable energy and its proprietary technology platform, Kraken.
X-Energy: This U.S.-based nuclear technology company, backed by Amazon and Dow, has been in discussions to develop advanced modular nuclear reactors in the UK. However, it has threatened to withdraw due to regulatory and financial uncertainties in the UK energy sector.
2. Telecommunications
Google’s Grace Hopper Subsea Cable: In 2022, Google activated the Grace Hopper transatlantic submarine cable, connecting New York to Bude, Cornwall. This infrastructure enhances data transmission capacity between the U.S. and the UK, supporting internet services and cloud computing.
3. Transport and Logistics
AGS Airports: In 2025, U.S. private equity firm Blackstone acquired a 22% stake in AGS Airports, which operates Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Southampton airports. This investment reflects growing U.S. interest in UK transport infrastructure.
4. Water and Waste Management
Thames Water: Facing financial challenges, Thames Water, the UK’s largest water utility, has named U.S. private equity firm KKR as its preferred bidder for a £4 billion stake. KKR’s involvement aims to stabilise the company’s finances and infrastructure investments.
The United States maintains a significant military presence in the United Kingdom, primarily through the United States Visiting Forces (USVF) program. This presence is facilitated by agreements such as the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and the Visiting Forces Act, allowing U.S. forces to operate from various Royal Air Force (RAF) stations across England. As of recent data, there are approximately 11 RAF bases utilised by U.S. forces, all located in England.
Key U.S.-Utilized RAF Bases in the UK
RAF Lakenheath (Suffolk) Home to the U.S. Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath hosts F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning II aircraft. It serves as a central hub for U.S. air operations in Europe.
RAF Mildenhall (Suffolk) Adjacent to RAF Lakenheath, this base supports aerial refuelling and special operations missions. It houses units like the 100th Air Refuelling Wing.
RAF Fairford (Gloucestershire) The only U.S. Air Force base in Europe equipped for heavy bomber operations, including B-52 Stratofortress deployments. It also hosts the annual Royal International Air Tattoo.
RAF Croughton (Northamptonshire) Functions as a communications hub, supporting U.S. military operations across Europe and Africa.
RAF Menwith Hill (North Yorkshire) A joint U.S.-UK intelligence facility, it plays a crucial role in global communications and surveillance.
RAF Alconbury (Cambridgeshire) Hosts support units and serves as a base for various administrative functions.
RAF Molesworth (Cambridgeshire) Previously a significant intelligence centre, its current role is more limited but still supports certain U.S. operations.
RAF Welford (Berkshire) Serves as a munitions storage site, supporting U.S. Air Force operations in Europe.
RAF Feltwell (Norfolk) Supports various U.S. Air Force missions, including communications and housing.
RAF Barford St John (Oxfordshire) Used for communications and other support roles.
RAF Blenheim Crescent (London) Functions as an administrative and support facility for U.S. forces.
The United States will fly spy planes from Scotland in its first permanent military presence in the country since the Cold War. The US Navy has set up facilities for its Poseidon P-8A anti-submarine aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray amid growing concern about Russian activity in the North Atlantic and Arctic.
I should perhaps have added that the very heart of the “Special Relationship” is the UK’s Independent Nuclear Deterrent. It’s so independent that without close US involvement it wouldn’t exist. Go figure.
🙂
Presumably RAF Valley in Anglesey is too far from civilization for them to want to use it? 😉
To get the flavour of how many in the US see these moves by the Trump crew, you really need to tune into FoxNews and Fox Business Network.
It’s knuckle biting stuff.