The week in autocracy: February 24, 2025

Separating Signals and Noise with the help of Timothy Snyder’s “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century”

Hello Friends –

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been completely overwhelmed by the news of the last week. As a communications professional, it is my job to stay informed, and to categorize, prioritize and compartmentalize what is happening so that I can provide meaningful strategic counsel to my clients. I also generally refrain from broadcasting my own POV (beyond the confines of a few close friends and colleagues – and I suppose anyone who I am in close physical proximity to who asks me for my POV). I’m not a Twitter guy, not a social media guy.

I also have a very unhealthy obsession with fascism. I think about it a lot even on a good day, and these are not good days. I currently unwind by alternating between a meditation on life and freedom after decades of confinement in a Soviet Gulag and a diary written during Hitler’s rise to power in the mid 1930s. So maybe it should come as no surprise that I recently read (or, more accurately, listened to) Yale history professor Timothy Snyder’s profound book “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century” and then, upon finishing, read (listened to) it a second time. The book is a summary of thelessons he has learned over a lifetime pondering the worst calamities of thetwentieth century and how they can be instructive to us, today, at the precipice that we seem to be hanging over in the U.S. Across 20 lessons, he both diagnoses the conditions where seemingly invulnerable democracies can evaporate, bit by bit, into authoritarianism and dictatorship AND provides practical advice for living in such times, where space for privacy, liberty, civility and resistance is shrinking in both obvious and imperceptible ways. While written in the aftermath of the 2016 election and perhaps a bit hyperbolic for that moment, it is stone sober for this moment – and I encourage those looking for some perspective to purchase a copy. It is a small book. Importantly, it provides a framework for understanding what is important, and what an ordinary person can do when confronted with overwhelming circumstances. It was the ballast that I needed to sort through the chaos of a week like the last seven days.

Most importantly, he urges us not to turn away, not to sedate ourselves through entertainment and the distraction of our private lives, but to engage and connect – with neighbors, colleagues, old friends, family, strangers, anyone and everyone. The authoritarian project is accomplished with far less friction when social ties are strained or minimal. So here I am, engaging and connecting. I might do this periodically in the coming period, but I might not. It felt like the right thing to do this week.

As you’ll see below, I’ve sorted the week’s news into the twenty lessons that Prof. Snyder describes in his book. I’ve included a little arrow as a shorthand – if pointing down, our democracy is weakened; if pointing up, we have made some small but worthwhile progress. Some point in both directions – for many regressions, a brave individual or organization is pushing back against the tide of autocracy and cruelty.

I’ve also included a fun/depressing AI text, written in the style of a future encyclopedia volume seeking to understand the tumult of the 2025s inretrospect. Another helpful lens/exercise to make sense of the present (after the three alarm emojis).

I am trying to offer this without (too much) judgement. If you’d prefer that I remove you from the list, please just let me know. Alternatively, if you find yourself in a news story filed under lessons 8, 13, 19 or 20 and need some help, don’t hesitate to reach out for free PR advice. And please reach out if you'd like to connect and catch up.

1. Do not obey in advance - Anticipatory obedience empowers authoritarians before they fully take control

⬆️⬇️AP: Former defense chiefs call for congressional hearings on Trump’s firing of senior military leaders

⬇️ The New Republic: Republicans Cheer on Trump as He Bullies Zelensky out of White House

2. Defend institutions - They help preserve democracy and need active protection

⬇️ Mike Lee (X): “Corrupt judges should be impeached And removed”

⬇️ The Washington Post: Trump officials start dismantling civil rights offices, as part of DOGE's secret plan

⬇️ FT: How the Tate brothers won US backing for their release

3. Beware the one-party state - Support multiparty systems and democratic processes

⬇️ Semafor: Trump push to control independent regulators could hit the Fed

⬇️ Politico: DOGE reps will fan out across the government

4. Take responsibility for the face of the world - Notice symbols of hate and remove them

⬇️ NY Post: GOP Rep. Joe Wilson wants to feature Trump’s face on new $250 bill: ‘Most valuable bill for most valuable President!’

5. Remember professional ethics - Maintain professional standards despite political pressure

⬇️ Rosa Brooks (@brooks_rosa): Trump also firing the Army, Navy and Air Force JAGs. In some ways that's even more chilling than firing the four stars. It's what you do when you're planning to break the law: you get rid of any lawyers who might try to slow you down.

6. Be wary of paramilitaries - Groups with weapons outside official structures threaten stability

⬇️ CNN: Elon Musk’s private security detail gets deputized by US Marshals Service

7. Be reflective if you must be armed - Understand the responsibility if you are in law enforcement

⬇️ NYT: Before Ascending to Top Tier of F.B.I., Bongino Fueled Right-Wing Disbelief

⬇️ WSJ: Inside Kash Patel’s Whirlwind Start at the FBI

8. Stand out - Someone has to set an example of courage

⬇️ FOX: Fact Check Team: Title IX investigation into Maine's DOE launched after Trump, Gov. clash

9. Be kind to our language - Maintain clear communication; resist propaganda and meaningless phrases

⬇️ The Hill: Trump’s No. 2 Pentagon pick won’t say if Russia invaded Ukraine

⬇️ The New Republic: The Nature Conservancy’s Embarrassing Capitulation to Trump

⬇️ NY Times: Bezos Orders Washington Post Opinion Section to Embrace ‘Personal Liberties and Free Markets’

10. Believe in truth - Seek and defend factual reality

⬇️ NY Times: DOGE Quietly Deletes the 5 Biggest Spending Cuts It Celebrated Last Week

⬇️ Axios: White House briefs conservative influencers on Epstein files

11. Investigate - Read beyond your comfort zone; learn from varied sources

⬇️ Politico: White House seizes control of press pool, will decide which outlets cover events with president

12. Make eye contact and small talk - Create the social bonds that sustain democracy

⬇️ WSJ: Trump to Sign Executive Order Making English Official U.S. Language

⬇️ NBC News: Immigration battle spilling into classrooms

13. Practice corporeal politics - Protect your body and advocate for others' physical needs

⬇️ The Washington Post: Iowa lawmakers vote to remove trans people's civil rights protections

14. Establish a private life - Defend your privacy and personal data

⬇️ NYT: Trump Administration Plans to Require Undocumented Immigrants to Register

15. Contribute to good causes - Support civil society organizations

16. Learn from peers in other countries - Connect with people facing similar struggles elsewhere

⬇️ Guardian: Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ debacle is no joke – this is how authoritarians get started

17. Listen for dangerous words - Be alert to rhetoric that signals tyrannical intent

⬇️ NY Times: Under Trump, America’s New Friends: Russia, North Korea and Belarus

18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives - Maintain composure in crisis

⬇️ WSJ: Trump-Zelensky Meeting Implodes, Threatening Peace Talks

19. Be a patriot - Love your country in a meaningful way that upholds its best values

⬆️ New York Times: Judge Blocks Trump Executive Order to Suspend Refugee Program

⬆️ Politico: 23 Dem AGs think they’ve cracked the code to fighting Trump

20. Be as courageous as you can - Ordinary individual choices can change history

⬆️ The Washington Post: Apple shareholders reject proposed ban on DEI programs

⬆️­ Reuters: Investors in farm equipment maker Deere reject anti-DEI resolution

⬆️­ Dr. Levi Cowan (@TropicalTidbits): I never publicly comment on political matters because they are usually irrelevant to my work of providing hurricane data and forecasts to people in my personal capacity. Today though, it is highly relevant, and as a member of themeteorological community, I am angry…

And now, for the future…

"There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen." Lenin's observation aptly characterizes the week of February 24-28, 2025. Less than two months after President Trump's second inauguration, this period represented a critical juncture in what historians would come to recognize as a troubled and complex chapter in American governance. The rapid pace of institutional change during these early weeks necessitates isolating and examining them individually to comprehend thebroader transformation underway.

Military Leadership Changes

Five former secretaries of defense issued a formal letter calling for congressional hearings following the dismissal of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several service chiefs and Judge Advocates General. Theletter warned of efforts to "politicize the military" and remove "legal constraints on the president's power." These actions correspond to Snyder's first lesson, "Do not obey in advance," which warns against anticipatory compliance with authoritarian tendencies.

Civil Rights Office Dismantling

Multiple civil rights enforcement offices across federal agencies were systematically reduced or eliminated, including:

• The Social Security Administration's Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (150 employees)

• The Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (90% staff reduction)

• Similar units at the Federal Trade Commission and NASA

This restructuring relates to Snyder's second lesson, "Defend institutions," which emphasizes that democratic safeguards require active protection.

Regulatory Independence Challenges

The Justice Department formally announced it would not defend safeguards preventing the president from firing heads of independent regulatory commissions without cause. An executive order subsequently required all independent agencies to submit proposed regulations to White House review. These developments relate to Snyder's third lesson, "Beware the one-party state," which identifies the consolidation of power as a warning sign of democratic erosion.

Symbolic/Linguistic Controls and Media Restrictions

A presidential directive ordered the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." The Associated Press maintained the historical designation and was subsequently excluded from White House press events. The White House then announced it would directly control which outlets had access to the press pool, removing this function from the independent White House Correspondents' Association. Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, announced a major shift in the newspaper's opinion section, declaring it would now advocate "personal liberties and free markets" and not publish opposing viewpoints on these topics. Opinion editor David Shipley resigned inresponse. The Nature Conservancy, among other organizations, modified its website to adopt the new terminology, while outlets like the Associated Press maintained the historical name. As the Guardian noted, such renaming efforts echo how "authoritarian leaders start out with seemingly harmless verbal imperialisms" that gradually normalize greater control. These actions correspond to Snyder's fourth, ninth, and eleventh lessons regarding symbolic control, linguistic manipulation, and the importance of independent information sources.

Diplomatic Realignments

The United States voted against a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, aligning with North Korea, Belarus, and Sudan rather than traditional Western allies. During his confirmation hearing, the nominee for Deputy Secretary of Defense repeatedly declined to acknowledge Russia's invasion of Ukraine as fact.

A meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy ended abruptly after a confrontational exchange. Following Zelenskiy's departure, Trump stated: "He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace." Senator Lindsey Graham, previously a supporter of Ukraine, subsequently stated that Zelenskiy needed to "resign or change." Multiple Republican lawmakers issued statements supporting the confrontational approach, with Representative Nancy Mace characterizing it as "peace through strength."

These diplomatic shifts relate to Snyder's lessons on dangerous rhetoric and maintaining calm during institutional disruption.

English as Official Language

For the first time in its nearly 250-year history, an executive order established English as the official language of the United States. The order rescinded a federal mandate issued by former President Clinton requiring agencies to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.
While over 78% of Americans speak only English at home, millions speak Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, and dozens of Native American languages. Thedirective represented a significant departure from the multilingual accommodation that had characterized federal policy since the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

This development relates to Snyder's twelfth lesson, "Make eye contact and small talk," which emphasizes how social bonds across differences sustain democratic communities. These bonds are likely to erode if all languages but one are demeaned through official proclamations

Law Enforcement Restructuring and Selectivity

The appointment of media personality Dan Bongino as FBI Deputy Director broke with the century-long tradition of selecting career investigators for this role. Within days, the new FBI Director had:

• Removed career staff from leadership positions

• Ordered the relocation of 1,500 employees without budget authorization

• Assumed simultaneous leadership of another federal agency

Concurrently, the U.S. Marshals Service deputized members of Elon Musk's private security detail, granting them federal law enforcement authority despite their lack of traditional credentials.

The administration intervened in Romania to secure the release of Andrew and Tristan Tate, social media personalities facing charges of rape, human trafficking, and organized crime. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, thebrothers received their passports and flew to Florida on a private jet. Richard Grenell, the president's special envoy, was identified as central to the effort, though he denied explicitly pressing Romanian officials.

These security modifications relate to Snyder's lessons on armed authority and paramilitary structures, as well as erosion of the rule of law.

Civil Rights and Vulnerable Populations

Iowa became the first state to explicitly revoke nondiscrimination protections for transgender people. The Republican-controlled legislature fast-tracked legislation removing gender identity as a protected class from the state's civil rights act, which had included these protections since 2007.

This development relates to Snyder's thirteenth lesson, "Practice corporeal politics," which addresses how political control often begins with regulating marginalized bodies.

Population Registry

The Department of Homeland Security announced plans to require undocumented immigrants age 14 or older to register and provide fingerprints to the government or face criminal prosecution. The plan would implement a rarely enforced law from before World War II.

This registration requirement corresponds to Snyder's fourteenth lesson, "Establish a private life," which warns about government collection of personal data from vulnerable populations.

Data Integrity Concerns

The Department of Government Efficiency removed its five largest claimed budget savings from public view after journalists identified significant errors, including:

• A $8 billion vs. $8 million discrepancy

• Triple-counting of a single budget action

• A $232 million claim that actually involved a $560,000 project

Despite these removals, the department simultaneously increased its total claimed savings to $65 billion without documentation.

These reporting issues correspond to Snyder's tenth lesson, "Believe in truth," which emphasizes factual accuracy as essential to democratic governance.

Institutional Counteractions

Several forms of resistance emerged during this period:

• A federal judge blocked the suspension of the refugee program, citing likely executive overreach

• Democratic state attorneys general established a coordinated legal response system that had successfully halted several federal actions

• Corporate shareholders at Apple and Deere rejected proposals to eliminate diversity programs despite political pressure

These actions exemplify Snyder's lessons on patriotism, courage, and theimportance of civil society.

Conclusion

The events of February 24-28, 2025 demonstrate how democratic erosion typically occurs not through dramatic constitutional ruptures but through theincremental reconfiguration of existing institutions. While operating within formal democratic structures, these simultaneous changes across multiple institutional domains created a substantial realignment of governmental power.

When viewed through Snyder's historical framework, this single week reveals patterns consistent with previous examples of democratic backsliding: institutional hollowing, linguistic control, security apparatus restructuring, and the concentration of authority. The velocity and coordination of these changes during the administration's early weeks created a watershed period that would shape American governance for years to come.

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If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Be well and stay safe.