Trump's Reactionary Attacks & How to Fight Back

Donald J. Trump’s first round in office was an unmitigated disaster. This term threatens a perfect storm, unfolding against a backdrop of economic pain, unending war, and climate catastrophe. Who better to lead capitalism’s reactionary journey than a 34-count convicted felon, who has Supreme Court approval to do whatever he wants?

Last time, strong man Trump was challenged by the Black Lives Matter upsurge. Since then, the pro-Palestine movement has emerged. And restive workers, from baristas to delivery drivers, are showing resistance is alive.

To quash these opponents of profits and privilege, ruling elites are dumping U.S. capitalism’s veneer of democracy for more fascistic methods, such as mass deportations of people of color and political witch-hunts of radicals.

Openly bankrolling Trump’s ascent are billionaires like Elon Musk. Corporations such as ABC-Disney signal obedience. Meanwhile, Congress, the courts, state legislatures, and right-wing think tanks generate laws to enable Trump’s wrecking ball.

Against all this, what are regular folks to do? Fight! When Trump filed a harassment lawsuit against the Des Moines Register, the Iowa newspaper declared its determination to defend the First Amendment. Resistance is alive at the grass roots.

But to deflate this juggernaut will require all the super-oppressed and disenfranchised within the working class standing together and winning to their side everyone else. Organized labor, which is definitely a target, has a crucial role to play.

A long hit list

In speeches leading up to his election, Donald Trump promised to imprison journalists who don’t reveal sources, call out the military and national guard against “radical left lunatics” (read protesters) and jail people who criticize the Supreme Court. His threats against Democratic Party elites dominate headlines. But his big guns are aimed primarily at ordinary people and movements for change. Many attacks already coming are bipartisan.

One list of “enemy within” scapegoats is from the ultra-right think tank, Capital Research Center (CRC), based in Washington, D.C. CRC’s donors include the Koch family. CRC monitors progressive and left groups and media. In “Marching Toward Violence,” it labels over 150 organizations as “pro-terrorism.” Named are civil liberties defenders such as the National Lawyers Guild. Black Lives Matter, Jewish Voice for Peace, pro-Palestinian groups, and Muslim organizations feature prominently. So do socialist groups like Workers’ Voice and Tempest Collective.

CRC offers numerous “options” to persecute these groups. There are federal racketeering and sedition laws, and domestic terrorism laws at the state and local level. Georgia, for example, used Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) laws to prosecute 60 activists involved in Defend Atlanta Forest/Stop Cop City (see “Don’t look away: Cop City protesters are still threatened”).

Weaponizing government

In November, the House of Representatives passed the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. This would empower the Internal Revenue Service to investigate and strip the tax-exempt status of organizations deemed terrorist or “terrorist-supporting,” with no appeal process.

Initially 52 Democrats supported this draconian bill. After progressive and left forces counter-mobilized, support dwindled to 15 Democrats. HR 9495 is now in the Senate. A major battle will be coming soon.

Trump’s pick for head of the IRS is Billy Long, a former Missouri congressman. Long once demanded the IRS investigate the Humane Society! Currently, he wants the IRS to go after the Voter Participation Center.

Other immediate fights will include immigration and China bashing. On Dec. 23, 2024, America First Legal sent letters to officials of sanctuary cities and jurisdictions across the U.S. It threatened criminal, financial, and civil penalties awaiting safe harbor jurisdictions — and RICO charges.

Trump’s choice for CIA Director is John Ratcliffe. He served as co-chair for American security at the America First Policy Institute, created in 2017 to promote Trump’s policies.

Fight the fascist threat!

Fortunately, there are plenty of lessons from U.S. history on how to fight back. Solidarity, protest, firing up free speech, and building united fronts of all those under attack is crucial.

So is dispelling any illusion of hope in the Democratic Party. Too many rights have been lost under their rule, while people waited for them to do the right thing. This isn’t to say Democrats can’t be pushed.

Trump and his ilk plan to divide and conquer. The job of radicals is to offer working and poor people an alternative: class solidarity and defense of the most vulnerable in U.S. society and internationally. Beyond that, eradicating the virus of fascism means getting rid of its host, capitalism. Socialism offers a brighter future. Let’s fight for it, humanity and the planet.

>> The article above was written by Linda Averill, and first appeared under the headline of Trump Targets 'Enemy Within'.  It is reprinted from the awesome folks at
Freedom Socialist newspaper.