Here's what I just wrote in our November cover story, which I'm sure some folks would argue was alarmism until a few hours ago, when Trump threatened to use the National Guard and the military against American citizens. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

I never thought that was alarmist. Our country has always depended on people acting honorably and obeying the traditions that have kept us going. It doesn’t help that there’s no functioning mechanism to enforce what few laws we have.

In the last democratic vote in Germany pre WWII only 38% voted for Hitler’s party- by the time the majority worked out what was going on it was too late as laws and state mobilised to support

Can you think of any organizations -- any publications, say -- that are directly responsible for softening the ground in order for us to get to this point? What does Yascha Mounk think?

I own a small online political t-shirt store. I have wondered if we would be targeted (not by the military but by the DOJ). Would simple dissent be cracked down on? Trump is the most fragile man I've seen. Fragile men use their weapons to shore up their weakness. No one should underestimate that.

Those same folks will just ignore what he said and continue to say we are overreacting and being alarmist. We are being gaslit by the media.

The hand-waving dismissiveness from the Rs is maddening. I expected better.

One of your best ever…and I wish it hadn’t needed to be written

Thank you for such an informative article. As a Canadian I now understand that Washington by his actions not only defeated us Red Coats militarily, but also changed our political trajectory for the better. If I may ask for one more favour, please make sure Trump loses.

Jared Golden is one of the only electeds I’ve read calling trump fear alarmism. It’s practical and DHS CWMD must be working on something. Mary Ellen is too damn smart not to be.

Thank you Tom. Well said & my biggest fear.