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Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 3h

Authoritarian thugs.

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 3h

“…Texas isn’t authorized to operate its national guard in Illinois….Given that military conflict between states was the main thing the Constitution was supposed to prevent, I feel pretty safe calling such an interstate invasion unconstitutional.”

Why This Military Move Amid Trump's Crackdown Has Experts Sounding The Alarm

Law professors weigh in on what's most concerning about the recent National Guard deployments, with one emphasizing why the current situation is scary.

www.huffpost.com

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 12h

“” The United States cannot remain a federalist system when soldiers from one state are sent to police another state against the explicit wishes of its elected leaders and when the justification for it is a lie. . . .”

Emergency Triad: The Chicago Rubicon and What Comes Next

We aren’t at the worst-case scenario yet. But if you squint, you can see it looming out there, just over the horizon.

open.substack.com

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 17h

A “jailbreak,” with a number of Republicans deciding that they’re more afraid of their base than of Trump (doing what is right never has anything to do with it, of course), would be fun to watch. But I’ll believe it when I see it.

thehill.com

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 17h

Comey’s lawyer, legendary federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, is going to run circles around these lightweights.

1

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 17h

Since the Acting U.S. Attorney for the EDVA (maybe unlawfully appointed) doesn’t trust the remaining real lawyers in her office, & none of them want anything to do with this case, she had to bring in two AUSAs from EDNC (my home district). Resumes not impressive. Motions incoming.

Two NC lawyers join Trump-backed prosecution of former FBI director James Comey

Comey pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Wednesday morning.

www.newsobserver.com

2

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

All authoritarians abuse power to protect (Homan) & enrich themselves & their friends & benefactors, & punish their enemies (Comey & others).

1

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

“Miller plainly believes there’s a latent authoritarian majority out in the country that can be sleepwalked into authoritarianism.”

Inside Stephen Miller’s Secret Plan to Normalize Trump’s Dictator Rule

He wants to supercharge searing civil tensions to get low-information voters to embrace their inner authoritarian. Exactly two Democrats appear to fully grasp this.

newrepublic.com

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

Lawless thugs.

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

The explanation is simple:
Like all other authoritarians, these people view the opposition party as illegitimate. Which means that they have no intention of engaging in free & fair elections in 2026 or 2028. They plan to have troops in the streets to control elections.

Mike Johnson Struggles to Explain Delay in Swearing In Democratic Rep

The House speaker claims the delay in swearing in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva has nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. He can easily prove it.

newrepublic.com

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

Yeah well, count me skeptical.

1

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

Standing is required only for Democrats now.

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

HuffPost on Pam Bondi “testimony” before Senate Judiciary Committee:

“Sneer in the headlights”

These people, like all other authoritarians, view the opposition party as illegitimate. Which means that they have no intention of engaging in free & fair elections in or 2028.

It’s about power.

3

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

Arrogant authoritarians.

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

Arrogant authoritarians.

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

Question. Question these corrupt, dangerous authoritarians relentlessly.

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

Authoritarians.

3

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 1d

Evil.

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 2d

Amen. Accurate, concise & alarming.

So John, you want to be the last Chief Justice in a United States of America with representative democracy under the rule of law…particularly since you have enabled the downfall?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Terry Moran (@terrymoran)

This is the most important Supreme Court term in decades. At stake: The American system of government under a Constitution that was written by revolutionaries in large part to stop any one man from ...

substack.com

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 2d

Evil.

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 2d

Bat shit crazy is another variation.

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 2d

Barbara F. Walter, author of “How Civil Wars Start”:

“So here’s what I see, based on decades of research. You’re not going to like it.”
….
“Leaders anticipating defeat sometimes spark or exploit violence to justify emergency powers and consolidate control.”
….
“What we need now is…action.”

Defy

The Coming Instability

And Why We Know It's Coming

open.substack.com

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 2d

If their lips or fingers are moving, they’re lying.

1

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 2d

Miles Taylor quotes “The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude,” by Étienne de la Boé:

“He who thus domineers over you has only two eyes, only two hands, only one body... he has indeed nothing more than the power that you confer upon him to destroy you.”

Resist & defy.

READ: Trump's tyranny needs just ONE more thing to succeed

Even his best henchmen can't provide him with the most powerful tool needed for a military takeover.

open.substack.com

Ellis Hankins @forrepdemruleoflaw.bsky.social · 2d

Since the Maximum Leader is talking about invoking the Insurrection Act, here’s a reminder of what an actual insurrection looks like.