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Trump's pardons of 1/6 rebels, including those who committed violent acts, were not surprising. Trump has been saying for years that he is going to pardon these people.
However, Rachel Maddow pointed out that pardons and apologies are boring for another reason.
Maddow said:
In authoritarian Hungary, Viktor Orbán's government has pardoned a far-right agitator who set fire to the homes of Orbán's political rivals. In Turkey, Erdogan pardoned the leader of a far-right nationalist paramilitary group that had mobilized on his behalf and engaged in street violence. In Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe has pardoned hundreds of people who committed violence in connection with the elections on his behalf.
Pinochet gave it in Chile, and Fujimori in Peru. gave widespread amnesty to their forces. If you are on my side, the law does not apply to you. Don't even get me started on Germany's SA.
But this is day one. It's developing pretty much as we'd expect, and yes, it's new in American history. Because it's the same thing that an authoritarian leader does in any country that had to contend with a leader like that. And as Americans, you know, we've had bad inaugurations before, including one where one of the directors stood up too drunk.
We've had open cash for the vice president's corruption before. We've had political violence before. We had a civil war. However, in the past, each of these things was seen as a disaster and a scandal. This time it's a platform. It's textbook authoritarian takeover tactic 101. This means that today and literally for the next few days, they're going to see what they can get away with and how much they can get people to not oppose what they're doing and not speak up about it.
More than ever, this is not the time to pretend it's not happening. You'll want to have a good answer when you're asked what you've done for your country as your country takes this radical turn. We're here.
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One of the criticisms of Maddow's shows from her audience is that she has become too dark and depressing to watch.
If these shows are going to be 100 days of Rachel Maddow telling her audience that America is doomed, it won't be the tone many are looking for.
None of what Trump did on day one was unexpected, and it's a leap for Trump to pardon the 1/6 rebels, for Trump to form his paramilitary force to end democracy.
Needless to say, we're not there yet. It's not good that Trump pardoned and commuted these sentences, nor is it the end of democracy.
Trump is desperate to rewrite the history of 1/6, and this is likely his number one motivation to erase the convictions of those who allegedly attempted a violent coup under his leadership.
What do you think about the 1/6 pardon? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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