The Rise of American Fascism: A Deep Dive into the Trump Administration's Authoritarianism

How Trump's America is following the authoritarian playbook — and why we must draw the line now.

In my opinion — and by any honest assessment of the definition — the current Trump administration is a fascist, authoritarian regime.

This isn’t just about political differences or policy debates.

It’s about the intentional dismantling of democracy, the concentration of power, and the calculated use of fear and force to control the population.

What pushed me into action more than anything was learning about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison — a dystopian, maximum-security facility notorious for human rights violations.

Garcia, who had no criminal record, was thrown into a violent prison system without trial, without justice, and with no way to appeal.

That deeply disturbed me.

We’ve seen this before: authoritarian regimes don’t start by targeting everyone — they start with the marginalized.

With the voiceless.

With the ones least likely to be defended.

But if we allow a government to disappear people without due process, it is only a matter of time before that same power is used against any of us, regardless of race, gender, religion, or politics.

This was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. This was when I drew my line in the sand. 👉 Here’s where I stand.

In this post, I’ll walk through the 11 pillars of fascism — as defined by historians and political theorists — and provide concrete proof points that show how each one is manifesting under the Trump administration.

These are not hypotheticals. These are happening now.

Let’s get into it.

1. Authoritarianism: Centralized Power and Suppression of Dissent

Fascist Pattern: Consolidation of power by a single leader or ruling party, often accompanied by the suppression of opposition and the erosion of checks and balances.

Proof Points:

• Retaliation Against Legal Professionals: The Trump administration has targeted law firms representing political opponents, revoking security clearances and initiating investigations, thereby undermining the independence of the legal system.¹

• Utilization of the Alien Enemies Act: The administration invoked this rarely used act to deport individuals without due process, exemplifying authoritarian overreach.²

• Project 2025: A comprehensive plan by The Heritage Foundation aiming to consolidate executive power and replace civil servants with loyalists, effectively dismantling the administrative state.³

2. Ultra-nationalism: Elevating the Nation Above All

Fascist Pattern: Promoting a sense of national superiority, often at the expense of marginalized groups and international cooperation.

Proof Points:

• "America First" Policies: The administration's rhetoric and policies prioritize national interests, leading to strained international relations and the alienation of allies.

• Immigration Crackdowns: Aggressive deportation strategies, including the deportation of individuals to countries where they face persecution, reflect a disregard for international human rights norms.

3. Militarism and Violence: Glorification of Strength and Force

Fascist Pattern: Emphasizing military power and the use of violence to achieve political ends.

Proof Points:

• Deployment of Federal Forces Against Protesters: The use of federal agencies to suppress domestic protests demonstrates a militaristic approach to civil dissent.

• Advocacy for Harsh Law Enforcement Measures: Endorsements of aggressive policing tactics and the pardoning of officials convicted of violent actions signal an acceptance of violence within governance.

4. Scapegoating and Propaganda: Blaming 'The Other'

Fascist Pattern: Attributing national problems to specific groups, often minorities, to divert attention from governmental shortcomings.

Proof Points:

• Targeting of Immigrants: Labeling migrants as criminals or terrorists without substantial evidence, leading to policies like mass deportations to dangerous environments.⁴

• Discrediting of Media Outlets: Frequent accusations of "fake news" aimed at undermining the credibility of independent journalism.

5. Anti-democracy and Anti-liberalism: Undermining Democratic Institutions

Fascist Pattern: Erosion of democratic norms and institutions, often through the delegitimization of electoral processes and the judiciary.

Proof Points:

• Challenging Election Legitimacy: Persistent claims of electoral fraud without evidence, aiming to erode public trust in democratic processes.

• Defiance of Court Orders: Ignoring or circumventing judicial rulings, such as the refusal to comply with orders to return wrongfully deported individuals.⁵

6. Cult of Personality: Elevating the Leader

Fascist Pattern: Creating an idealized and heroic image of the leader, often demanding unwavering loyalty.

Proof Points:

• Personalization of Political Power: The leader's name and image are prominently used in political campaigns and government communications, emphasizing personal loyalty over institutional allegiance.

• Attacks on Critics: Public denunciations and threats against political opponents, former allies, and dissenting voices within the administration.⁶

7. Control of Information: Censorship and Manipulation

Fascist Pattern: Manipulating or controlling media and information to suppress dissent and promote the regime's narrative.

Proof Points:

• Defunding Independent Media: Cutting funds to organizations like Radio Free Asia and Voice of America, jeopardizing journalistic independence.⁷

• Surveillance of Journalists: Implementing measures that intimidate and suppress investigative journalism.

8. Suppression of Unions and Dissent: Silencing Opposition

Fascist Pattern: Cracking down on labor movements and any form of organized opposition.

Proof Points:

• Targeting Academic Institutions: Freezing federal funds to universities like Cornell and Northwestern under the guise of addressing campus protests, thereby stifling academic freedom.⁸

• Executive Orders Against Law Firms: Issuing directives that penalize law firms perceived as oppositional, undermining the right to legal representation.⁹

9. Corporatism / Crony Capitalism: Favoring Loyal Businesses

Fascist Pattern: Economic power is consolidated among favored corporations that align with the state, undermining fair competition.

Proof Points:

• Preferential Treatment for Allies: The administration has implemented policies that benefit certain businesses, often those with political connections, while sidelining competitors.

• Tariff Policies Impacting Small Businesses: The imposition of tariffs under the guise of national security has disproportionately affected small businesses, while larger corporations with government ties have navigated these challenges more effectively.¹⁰

10. Sexism and Gender Control: Enforcing Traditional Roles

Fascist Pattern: Traditional gender roles are aggressively enforced, with policies that marginalize women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Proof Points:

• Executive Orders Limiting Gender Recognition: The administration has issued orders defining sex strictly as male or female based on biological characteristics, effectively erasing recognition of transgender and non-binary identities.¹¹

• Restrictions on Gender-Affirming Care: Policies have been enacted to limit or prohibit gender-affirming care, particularly for minors, framing such care as harmful despite medical consensus on its benefits.¹²

11. Fear as a Tool: Maintaining Control Through Anxiety

Fascist Pattern: A constant state of crisis is maintained to justify authoritarian measures and suppress dissent.

Proof Points:

• Use of Emergency Powers for Trade Policies: The administration has invoked emergency powers to implement trade policies, such as tariffs, under the pretext of national security threats, fostering a climate of fear and uncertainty.¹³

• Rhetoric Targeting Marginalized Groups: Public statements and policies have often portrayed immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals as threats to societal values, fueling fear and justifying restrictive measures.¹⁴

These examples, which don’t include any presidential actions, illustrate a troubling alignment with the core aspects of fascism.

It's imperative to remain vigilant and advocate for democratic principles and human rights.

Where Do We Go From Here?

If you’ve made it this far, I want to say thank you — not just for reading, but for caring.

For paying attention.

For not tuning out in a time when tuning out is the easier path.

Yes, this is terrifying.

Yes, what we’re facing is real and unprecedented in modern American history.

But here’s the truth:

Fascism only wins when people give up. And we’re not giving up.

We are not powerless. We are not alone. And we are not without tools.

➡️ We can speak out. Share this post. Talk to your friends and family. Normalize telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

➡️ We can organize. Join or support movements defending democracy, civil rights, and human dignity.

➡️ We can prepare. Know your rights. Have a plan. Stay grounded, not panicked.

➡️ And we can vote like our lives depend on it — because they do.

I know it’s a lot.

I know it’s heavy.

But here’s your reminder, friend:

The darkness doesn’t stand a chance when enough of us shine our lights.

So keep going.

Keep showing up.

Keep being the kind of person this world needs more of.

And if you want to stay connected, hear more analysis like this, and get tools to help you take action — consider joining The Pathfinder Chronicles.

This is where I share the truth as I see it and the tools I believe will help us survive — and rebuild — a better world.

We are the resistance.

And we are just getting started. ✊

1. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-big-law-fight-firms-legal-dilemma-2025-3

2. https://www.them.us/story/andry-hernandez-romero-gay-makeup-artist-venezuela-el-salvador-detained

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_2025

4. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-records-show-about-migrants-sent-to-salvadoran-prison-60-minutes-transcript

5. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/apr/11/donald-trump-tariffs-health-check-immigration-el-salvador-us-politics-live-updates

6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_2024_presidential_campaign

7. https://apnews.com/article/084045acb927d5cc2ddc46b61d59a692

8. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/08/trump-administration-cornell-northwestern-funding

9. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-big-law-fight-firms-legal-dilemma-2025-3

10. https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-conservative-legal-advocates-working-to-kill-trumps-tariffs

11. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/transgender-influencer-takes-trump-legal-battle-over-passports-2025-04-10/

12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020s_anti-LGBTQ_movement_in_the_United_States

13. https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-conservative-legal-advocates-working-to-kill-trumps-tariffs

14. https://www.axios.com/2025/04/04/trump-child-abuse-prevention-month-executive-order-trans-youth