Act now before history repeats itself

On November 8–9, 1923, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party launched a bold attempt to overthrow Germany’s federal government in Munich, aiming to establish a nationalist regime. Known as the Beer Hall Putsch, this failed coup grabbed global headlines, shocking the world. Hitler and his associates were quickly arrested, and after a dramatic 24-day trial, they were convicted of treason. Despite being sentenced to prison, Hitler served less than a year before his release—time he used to lay the groundwork for his infamous future.

Fast forward to January 6, 2021: history echoed in eerie ways. Fueled by false claims of a stolen election, groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, with the backing of then-President Donald Trump, stormed the U.S. Capitol in a desperate bid to block Joe Biden’s certification as the newly elected President. The attack left the nation reeling, its democratic institutions shaken.

By August 2024, over 1,400 individuals had been charged with federal crimes related to the insurrection, and more than 900 had been convicted. Yet, in a shocking twist, Trump—returning to the presidency—undermined the justice system on his first day back in office. He issued sweeping pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals and commuted the sentences of 14 key allies connected to the Capitol attack.

Are we seeing echoes of 1930s Germany in today’s America? In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws stripped citizenship from anyone not deemed “Aryan,” cementing a dangerous precedent of exclusion and authoritarianism. Now on the first day in office, President Trump President Donald Trump’s executive order  that purports to limit birthright citizenship-

Fast forward to now: former President Donald Trump’s blanket clemency and pardons for Proud Boys and other January 6 participants seem to signal unconditional support for his loyal MAGA followers. The message is clear—carry out Trump’s agenda without fear of legal consequences because he’ll have your back. Could the Proud Boys become a modern-day equivalent of Hitler’s Brownshirts (Sturmabteilung, or SA)—used to protect Trump’s movement, suppress dissent, and disrupt political opposition? This question grows even more pressing in an age where social media wields enormous influence. With Elon Musk controlling X (formerly Twitter), critics worry about the platform’s role in shaping discourse. Musk’s actions and statements have led some to compare his influence to that of Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propaganda. My fears are heightened after Musk made gestures similarly to that associated with Nazi symbolism during Trump’s inauguration.

Read about the possible impact of the Trump policies in the New York Times,  “Donald Trump Is Running Riot” by David French, the outstanding New York Times’ opinion writer.

How Did We Get Here? A Warning from History

How could this happen? It might seem that the majority of Americans support Trump’s actions, but the numbers tell a different story. In reality, only about 33% of eligible voters cast their ballots for Trump. Over one-third of eligible voters stayed home, choosing not to vote at all. To put it in perspective, Trump’s 2024 total of 77,284,118 votes fell short of Biden’s 81,284,666 votes in 2020. The difference wasn’t that Trump gained overwhelming support—it was that fewer people showed up for Harris, and 36% did not vote.

This scenario isn’t unique to America. Take Brexit, for example: In January 2020, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, a decision driven by a passionate and sometimes misinformed minority. Now, just a few years later, many in England regret that choice, realizing the long-term consequences of their decision to leave the EU.

The truth is, in almost every major upheaval, it only takes about 30% of highly dedicated and committed individuals—some might even call them zealots—to shift the course of history. It was true for Brexit, it was true for Hitler, and is now true for Trump.

If you want to understand how this dynamic works, Malcolm Gladwell’s The Revenge of the Tipping Point offers invaluable insights into how a small but determined group can take control of the narrative and change the agenda for everyone.

Now is the time to act. It’s not too late to support democratic institutions and ensure the U.S. doesn’t slide into the abyss. Staying silent or staying home isn’t an option—democracy needs defenders–silence in the face of oppression is siding with the oppressor.