From Bleeding Kansas to MAGA: It’s time to sound the alarm over Trump | Opinion

Many historians will explain that history is not just a study of the past, but a harbinger for the future. Nowhere is this more evident than in cases where well-intentioned goals — such as democracy, equality and freedom — instead give rise to tyranny.

There are several salient examples of this, two among them worth mentioning:

The first is the French Revolution. Inspired by many of the same ideals as above, the Revolution, led by Maximilien Robespierre and Georges Danton, soon gave way to Robespierre stacking the courts with obsequious judges and prosecutors more willing to do his bidding and facilitate his lawlessness, rather than follow the law. This led to “The Reign of Terror,” during which up to 40,000 people were executed.

The second happened closer to home. In the years leading up to the Civil War, “Bleeding Kansas,” as Horace Greeley dubbed it, experienced firsthand the violence that can come when private militias, supported by those in power (in this case President Franklin Pierce) are exploited to influence, intimidate and silence their opposition. Abolitionist John Brown and his followers bravely fought those pro-slavery forces to defend Kansas as a free state — and their side ultimately won.

These events should stand as stark warnings about the fragility of democracy, equality and freedom in today’s America. While I am not comparing any specific individuals to those named above, I am saying that the events and tactics that allowed these people to rise to power are evident in our nation today.

For example, in the case of equality, the specter of Jim Crow segregation, thought to be long dead, has once again arisen as the federal courts — particularly the U.S. Supreme Court — eradicate civil rights progress that was gained through decades of courageous sacrifice and martyrdom.

Freedom is increasingly being lost as mass media and social media grow increasingly eager to create monolithic monopolies eager to put sycophancy and profit above their duty to provide essential and honest information to the people.

Trump’s $1.8 billion settlement fund

More recently, many have argued that democracy is threatened by the $1.8-billion settlement fund offered by Trump’s so-called Justice Department, ostensibly to compensate alleged “victims” of wrongful investigations and prosecutions, which — unsurprisingly — this same department has no compunction about engaging in itself.

Naturally, many may say this is now a moot point since a recent court decision blocked the distribution of these funds (at least for now). But is it really so far-fetched to recognize what the promise of this money may really be for, given that the 2028 presidential election is not far away, and that the Supreme Court’s orchestrated gerrymandering and other obstacles to voting do not ensure MAGA dominance? As history has shown, funding private groups to eliminate democracy is not inconceivable, nor is it inconceivable that merely promising to fund such groups can be just as potent, if not more so. After all, now members of the Trump administration can sophistically claim that a corrupt court system denied just compensation to those wronged by this system, and that these wrongs can be corrected only by ensuring MAGA perpetually remains in power.

But those who are now willingly, or cluelessly, being duped by this possible planned coup should remember how disposable they truly are to tyrants when they are no longer needed: Robespierre executed Danton. Granted, Robespierre (like John Brown) later met his own violent demise, but only after unimaginable devastation was unleashed.

If there were ever a time in America’s history, or indeed the history of the world, for American politicians to put country above party and principle above politics, this is it. Reform — true reform — is needed, from limiting the power of the Supreme Court through term limits or the creation of additional seats, to the banning of gerrymandering, to the restoration of the civil rights and liberties of everyone, not just those in the majority.

But most important, impeaching Trump is now a necessity, not just a political stunt. If it is not done soon, democracy itself may soon be impeached.

I realize some may call this alarmist. But if it is, history has raised the alarm, not me.

The question is: Will it be loud enough to wake our nation up before it is too late?

David R. Hoffman is a retired civil rights and constitutional law attorney. He lives in South Bend, Indiana.