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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPublic Notice: Lisa Murkowski reveals the ugly nature of Trump's rule
It's not about persuasion. It's about fear.
Stephen Robinson
Apr 25, 2025
Every day it seems as if Donald Trump is inflicting new horrors on the nation catastrophic trade wars, the undermining of public health, mass deportations without due process. Fear is an understandable response to this ongoing nightmare, but its even scarier when our elected representatives share that emotion.
We are all afraid, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski admitted last week at an event in Anchorage. Its quite a statement. Were in a time and place where I dont know, I certainly have not I have not been here before. And Ill tell you, Im oftentimes very anxious myself about using my voice because retaliation is real. And thats not right. But thats what youve asked me to do and so Im going to use my voice to the best of my ability. (Watch below.)
Murkowskis remarks are alarming because theres no reason she should fear retaliation in any normal political sense. She held off a primary challenge in 2022 and isnt up for reelection until 2028. But everyone understands that defying Trump can bring dangers more grave than well-funded primary challenges.
After all, on January 6, Trump sicced a violent mob on his own vice president when he wouldnt follow his illegal orders, and since returning to office, Trump has behaved more like a mob boss than a commander in chief. Indeed, Murkowski sounds sadly resigned to this fact, like someone bravely fighting a terminal illness with no hope of a cure.
Trump is not a normal president who governs through persuasion and political savvy. He constantly resorts to coercive threats. A system where that becomes normal isnt a democracy. Its a reign of terror.
/snip
et tu
(2,387 posts)but we need action!!!
Hotler
(13,747 posts)Lokee11
(417 posts)Helped the R's create a Monster and now is afraid . . . . I weep for you -

✊FDT!
StarryNite
(12,170 posts)They need to band together and call out tyranny. Things will get a whole lot worse if they cower down. That's why I believe the protests are so important. They are expecting us to just give up...we can't. Too much is on the line.
Martin68
(28,080 posts)MagickMuffin
(18,362 posts)Switch parties or become an independent. We need all hands on deck. Your party is lost in the wilderness and they dont have their moral compass. They lost it and they forgot where they left it.
Oneironaut
(6,322 posts)They want the perks of supporting Trump while also not wanting to be associated with the horrid things hes doing. Not buying it.
Uncle Joe
(65,547 posts)Thanks for the thread Dennis Donovan
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