Thomas Zimmer
@thomaszimmer.bsky.social
Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https://democracyamericana.com - Podcast: Is This Democracy https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/is-this-democracy
Pinned
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s weaknesses and ideological blind spots
steady.page
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
My new piece:
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
My new piece:
The first part of this piece is free for everyone. If you want to read more than the preview or gain access to the audio/podcast version of the essay, please consider becoming a paid member of Democracy Americana, which is solely funded by readers:
steady.page/en/democracy...
steady.page/en/democracy...
Democracy Americana
A newsletter on U.S. politics and history - and the ongoing struggle over how much democracy, and for whom, there should be in America
steady.page
February 9, 2026 at 2:19 PM
The first part of this piece is free for everyone. If you want to read more than the preview or gain access to the audio/podcast version of the essay, please consider becoming a paid member of Democracy Americana, which is solely funded by readers:
steady.page/en/democracy...
steady.page/en/democracy...
Here is the spirit of the “neighborism”: Solidarity with those targeted by the regime is imperative. For we bear responsibility. We are not just all at risk. We are all implicated.
Outside a city council meeting in Surprise, Arizona, a woman held up a sign: “Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
Outside a city council meeting in Surprise, Arizona, a woman held up a sign: “Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
February 9, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Here is the spirit of the “neighborism”: Solidarity with those targeted by the regime is imperative. For we bear responsibility. We are not just all at risk. We are all implicated.
Outside a city council meeting in Surprise, Arizona, a woman held up a sign: “Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
Outside a city council meeting in Surprise, Arizona, a woman held up a sign: “Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
That is why the Trumpists have been raging against liberal white women like Renee Good (who not only betrayed her duty to submit to male authority, but also her obligation as a *white* women to sustain the ethno-state); why thex have been deriding Alex Pretti as a “race traitor.”
February 9, 2026 at 2:15 PM
That is why the Trumpists have been raging against liberal white women like Renee Good (who not only betrayed her duty to submit to male authority, but also her obligation as a *white* women to sustain the ethno-state); why thex have been deriding Alex Pretti as a “race traitor.”
For MAGA, this form of cross-racial solidarity and anti-authoritarian “neighborism” is acutely dangerous. Trumpism as a political project stipulates that whiteness would override other forms of solidarity. If not, then what do they have to offer with their vastly destructive policies?
February 9, 2026 at 2:14 PM
For MAGA, this form of cross-racial solidarity and anti-authoritarian “neighborism” is acutely dangerous. Trumpism as a political project stipulates that whiteness would override other forms of solidarity. If not, then what do they have to offer with their vastly destructive policies?
Even if millions of white Americans understood the authoritarian nature of the threat, there is a visceral quality to the realization forced by the images of the public executions in the streets of Minneapolis that is different: We are all at risk. And if we don’t act, we are all implicated.
February 9, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Even if millions of white Americans understood the authoritarian nature of the threat, there is a visceral quality to the realization forced by the images of the public executions in the streets of Minneapolis that is different: We are all at risk. And if we don’t act, we are all implicated.
In fact, authoritarianism is always distributed unequally – and therefore experienced very differently by various groups, depending on their status in society and their relationship towards the regime.
February 9, 2026 at 2:10 PM
In fact, authoritarianism is always distributed unequally – and therefore experienced very differently by various groups, depending on their status in society and their relationship towards the regime.
The reality of American life is that white people, certainly middle- and upper-class whites, are generally more protected and insulated from state violence than other groups. Generally speaking, that didn’t change when Trump returned to the White House.
February 9, 2026 at 2:09 PM
The reality of American life is that white people, certainly middle- and upper-class whites, are generally more protected and insulated from state violence than other groups. Generally speaking, that didn’t change when Trump returned to the White House.
This does in no way invalidate the acts of heroism and sacrifice we witness out on those streets. But if we want to properly understand what is happening here, and why these developments are so acutely threatening to the regime, we must examine why these events broke through.
February 9, 2026 at 2:06 PM
This does in no way invalidate the acts of heroism and sacrifice we witness out on those streets. But if we want to properly understand what is happening here, and why these developments are so acutely threatening to the regime, we must examine why these events broke through.
The racial makeup of the protests, the fact that they are coded as white middle class, and the identity of the victims of state murder make it more difficult for white Americans to distance themselves from what is happening here.
February 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
The racial makeup of the protests, the fact that they are coded as white middle class, and the identity of the victims of state murder make it more difficult for white Americans to distance themselves from what is happening here.
In Minnesota, the MAGA regime must now reckon with the fact that a lot of white “heartlanders,” who Trumpist intellectuals love to idealize as “authentic Americans,” are not willing to let race and religion define the boundaries of their solidarity.
February 9, 2026 at 2:04 PM
In Minnesota, the MAGA regime must now reckon with the fact that a lot of white “heartlanders,” who Trumpist intellectuals love to idealize as “authentic Americans,” are not willing to let race and religion define the boundaries of their solidarity.
What we’re seeing are not “protests,” but what Adam Serwer has so aptly called “neighborism”: Acts of democratic solidarity that directly confront the political project that is fueling the violent occupation and defy the MAGA vision of terrorizing those who don’t “belong” into isolation.
February 9, 2026 at 2:03 PM
What we’re seeing are not “protests,” but what Adam Serwer has so aptly called “neighborism”: Acts of democratic solidarity that directly confront the political project that is fueling the violent occupation and defy the MAGA vision of terrorizing those who don’t “belong” into isolation.
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
ICYMI yesterday: A reflection on the anatomy of the resistance and the regime’s response - on “neighborism,” cross-racial solidarity, and the responsibility we bear for what happens in our community.
ICYMI yesterday: A reflection on the anatomy of the resistance and the regime’s response - on “neighborism,” cross-racial solidarity, and the responsibility we bear for what happens in our community.
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s weaknesses and ideological blind spots
steady.page
February 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
ICYMI yesterday: A reflection on the anatomy of the resistance and the regime’s response - on “neighborism,” cross-racial solidarity, and the responsibility we bear for what happens in our community.
ICYMI yesterday: A reflection on the anatomy of the resistance and the regime’s response - on “neighborism,” cross-racial solidarity, and the responsibility we bear for what happens in our community.
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
“For MAGA, this form of cross-racial solidarity and anti-authoritarian “neighborism” is acutely dangerous.”
Constantly impressed by @thomaszimmer.bsky.social sharp analysis of the racial dimensions shaping/constraining MAGA’s fascistic ambitions.
democracyamericana.com/posts/d7e07d...
Constantly impressed by @thomaszimmer.bsky.social sharp analysis of the racial dimensions shaping/constraining MAGA’s fascistic ambitions.
democracyamericana.com/posts/d7e07d...
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s weaknesses and ideological blind spots
democracyamericana.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:17 PM
“For MAGA, this form of cross-racial solidarity and anti-authoritarian “neighborism” is acutely dangerous.”
Constantly impressed by @thomaszimmer.bsky.social sharp analysis of the racial dimensions shaping/constraining MAGA’s fascistic ambitions.
democracyamericana.com/posts/d7e07d...
Constantly impressed by @thomaszimmer.bsky.social sharp analysis of the racial dimensions shaping/constraining MAGA’s fascistic ambitions.
democracyamericana.com/posts/d7e07d...
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
Here is the spirit of the “neighborism” that is resisting Trumpism: Solidarity with those targeted by the regime is imperative. For we bear responsibility. We are not just all at risk. We are all implicated.
Outside a city council meeting, a woman held up a sign:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
Outside a city council meeting, a woman held up a sign:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
February 8, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Here is the spirit of the “neighborism” that is resisting Trumpism: Solidarity with those targeted by the regime is imperative. For we bear responsibility. We are not just all at risk. We are all implicated.
Outside a city council meeting, a woman held up a sign:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
Outside a city council meeting, a woman held up a sign:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
Sunday reading:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
A reflection on the anatomy of the resistance and the regime’s response - on “neighborism,” cross-racial solidarity, and the responsibility we bear for what happens in our community.
Please consider subscribing:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
A reflection on the anatomy of the resistance and the regime’s response - on “neighborism,” cross-racial solidarity, and the responsibility we bear for what happens in our community.
Please consider subscribing:
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
steady.page/en/democracy...
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
steady.page/en/democracy...
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s weaknesses and ideological blind spots
steady.page
February 8, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Sunday reading:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
A reflection on the anatomy of the resistance and the regime’s response - on “neighborism,” cross-racial solidarity, and the responsibility we bear for what happens in our community.
Please consider subscribing:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
A reflection on the anatomy of the resistance and the regime’s response - on “neighborism,” cross-racial solidarity, and the responsibility we bear for what happens in our community.
Please consider subscribing:
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
steady.page/en/democracy...
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
steady.page/en/democracy...
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s weaknesses and ideological blind spots
steady.page
February 8, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
steady.page/en/democracy...
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
steady.page/en/democracy...
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
🧵; MAGA struggles with the reality of politics due to its interrelated problems of (1) lack of theory of mind for those who disagree with them and (2) governing style that is beholden to content creation by & for a subpopulation that has epistemically & normatively seceded from consensus reality
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
steady.page/en/democracy...
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s structural weaknesses and ideological blind spots.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
steady.page/en/democracy...
Why the Resistance Matters
Anti-authoritarian “neighborism” and cross-racial solidarity from below are a massive problem for the regime, exposing Trumpism’s weaknesses and ideological blind spots
steady.page
February 8, 2026 at 2:39 PM
🧵; MAGA struggles with the reality of politics due to its interrelated problems of (1) lack of theory of mind for those who disagree with them and (2) governing style that is beholden to content creation by & for a subpopulation that has epistemically & normatively seceded from consensus reality
Here is the spirit of the “neighborism” that is resisting Trumpism: Solidarity with those targeted by the regime is imperative. For we bear responsibility. We are not just all at risk. We are all implicated.
Outside a city council meeting, a woman held up a sign:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
Outside a city council meeting, a woman held up a sign:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
February 8, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Here is the spirit of the “neighborism” that is resisting Trumpism: Solidarity with those targeted by the regime is imperative. For we bear responsibility. We are not just all at risk. We are all implicated.
Outside a city council meeting, a woman held up a sign:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
Outside a city council meeting, a woman held up a sign:
“Be a neighbor, not a Nazi.”
All the shrill raging from the Right against white “race traitors” can’t change the fact that the type of solidarity that has been on display in Minneapolis is not at all confined to Minnesota.
In Surprise, Arizona, for instance, people are protesting DHS plans to build a detention center.
In Surprise, Arizona, for instance, people are protesting DHS plans to build a detention center.
February 8, 2026 at 2:39 PM
All the shrill raging from the Right against white “race traitors” can’t change the fact that the type of solidarity that has been on display in Minneapolis is not at all confined to Minnesota.
In Surprise, Arizona, for instance, people are protesting DHS plans to build a detention center.
In Surprise, Arizona, for instance, people are protesting DHS plans to build a detention center.
For MAGA, this form of cross-racial solidarity and anti-authoritarian “neighborism” is acutely dangerous. Trumpism as a political project stipulates that whiteness would override other forms of solidarity. If not, then what do they have to offer with their vastly destructive policies?
February 8, 2026 at 2:37 PM
For MAGA, this form of cross-racial solidarity and anti-authoritarian “neighborism” is acutely dangerous. Trumpism as a political project stipulates that whiteness would override other forms of solidarity. If not, then what do they have to offer with their vastly destructive policies?
Even if millions of white Americans understood the authoritarian nature of the threat, there is a visceral quality to the realization forced by the images of the public executions in the streets of Minneapolis that is different: We are all at risk. And if we don’t act, we are all implicated.
February 8, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Even if millions of white Americans understood the authoritarian nature of the threat, there is a visceral quality to the realization forced by the images of the public executions in the streets of Minneapolis that is different: We are all at risk. And if we don’t act, we are all implicated.
In Minnesota, the MAGA regime must now reckon with the fact that a lot of white “heartlanders,” who Trumpist intellectuals love to idealize as “authentic Americans,” are not willing to let race and religion define the boundaries of their solidarity.
February 8, 2026 at 2:34 PM
In Minnesota, the MAGA regime must now reckon with the fact that a lot of white “heartlanders,” who Trumpist intellectuals love to idealize as “authentic Americans,” are not willing to let race and religion define the boundaries of their solidarity.
Finally, the Trumpists conceive of power entirely in the categories of domination and subjugation. They lack an understanding of exerting influence that incorporates persuasion, co-optation, and tactical compromise. Any resistance they meet they seek to break with brute force.
February 8, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Finally, the Trumpists conceive of power entirely in the categories of domination and subjugation. They lack an understanding of exerting influence that incorporates persuasion, co-optation, and tactical compromise. Any resistance they meet they seek to break with brute force.
That there might be millions of white American citizens who are animated by a deeply felt solidarity with their neighbors, a sense of commitment and responsibility that can’t be extinguished with a bit of violent intimidation, is not something the regime properly accounted for.
February 8, 2026 at 2:32 PM
That there might be millions of white American citizens who are animated by a deeply felt solidarity with their neighbors, a sense of commitment and responsibility that can’t be extinguished with a bit of violent intimidation, is not something the regime properly accounted for.
Secondly, ideological hardliners like Stephen Miller simply don’t believe there is such a thing as an authentic, organic protest. If MAGA is the embodiment of “real America,” then by definition those who object are not actually “American.” They can be identified and purged from the “Volk.”
February 8, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Secondly, ideological hardliners like Stephen Miller simply don’t believe there is such a thing as an authentic, organic protest. If MAGA is the embodiment of “real America,” then by definition those who object are not actually “American.” They can be identified and purged from the “Volk.”