Authoritarian Consolidation Through State Violence and Propaganda - Episode Hero Image

Authoritarian Consolidation Through State Violence and Propaganda

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams · · Listen to Original Episode →
Original Title:

TL;DR

  • The administration's strategy to normalize state violence involves mislabeling victims, misleading the public with false narratives, and misdirecting attention from systemic issues, ultimately consolidating power without accountability.
  • The politicization of fraud and DEI is a tactic to prosecute disdain for opposition, using consumer protection statutes to force companies to shutter diversity programs or face baseless fraud charges.
  • Attacks on DEI are central to an authoritarian agenda, as these laws promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are antithetical to white supremacy and Christian nationalism.
  • The administration is aggressively assaulting independent government institutions like the Federal Reserve and the Supreme Court, aiming to restructure government and consolidate executive power, not just for short-term political gain but for long-term authoritarian control.
  • The Supreme Court's capture and willingness to overturn precedent, coupled with the executive branch's disregard for established norms, signals a fundamental shift towards minority rule and an imperial presidency, undermining democratic principles.
  • The normalization of state violence, exemplified by ICE's actions and the lack of accountability, demonstrates a dangerous erosion of civil liberties, where citizens are expected to accept state demands or face deadly consequences.
  • The strategy of attacking DEI and civil rights era laws aims to prevent cross-cultural understanding and empathy, thereby hindering collective action and maintaining social segregation that benefits authoritarian rule.

Deep Dive

The core argument is that the Trump administration and its allies are systematically employing state violence and a propaganda strategy of mislabeling, misleading, and misdirecting to normalize authoritarianism and consolidate power. This approach is not merely reactive but a deliberate infrastructure play to dismantle democratic institutions and establish unchecked executive authority, with significant downstream consequences for civil liberties and the rule of law.

The administration's use of state violence, exemplified by the killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer, serves as a stark warning against dissent. This act is then systematically obfuscated through a three-pronged propaganda strategy. First, by mislabeling victims and recasting them as threats, the administration erodes public empathy and justifies aggressive enforcement actions. Second, by misleading the public with alternative theories or by downplaying evidence, they avoid accountability and prevent demands for action. Finally, by misdirecting attention from systemic issues to scapegoats, they maintain public focus away from their broader agenda of power consolidation. This tactic is evident not only in immigration enforcement but also in the politicization of fraud investigations, targeting specific communities and DEI initiatives under the guise of preventing financial malfeasance.

The implications of this strategy are far-reaching. The normalization of state violence, coupled with assertions of absolute immunity for federal officers, fundamentally undermines accountability and erodes trust in law enforcement. The administration's aggressive assault on independent institutions, such as the Federal Reserve, and its attempts to redefine legal precedents regarding executive authority, indicate a long-term play to restructure government in favor of an imperial presidency. This is further compounded by the weaponization of legal processes, like the use of fraud charges against DEI programs, which coerces compliance without due process. The underlying ideology driving these actions is a deep-seated antipathy towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, rooted in a desire to maintain white supremacy and Christian nationalism, which directly conflicts with the principles of a pluralistic democracy. The erosion of DEI initiatives disproportionately harms marginalized communities, including those with disabilities and veterans, by limiting access to resources and opportunities.

Ultimately, the current administration is not just a cult of personality but is actively re-engineering the apparatus of government to solidify minority rule and dismantle democratic checks and balances. The focus on short-term political gains, such as manipulating economic indicators to win elections, masks a more profound, long-term agenda to fundamentally alter the structure of American governance, prioritizing executive power over democratic principles and accountability. The capture of institutions like the Supreme Court and the systematic challenge to established legal precedents suggest that the fight for democracy extends beyond individual elections and requires a sustained effort to protect and rebuild power at state and local levels, alongside a critical re-evaluation of the Constitution's capacity to protect a truly democratic society.

Action Items

  • Audit ICE encounter protocols: Identify 3 critical failure points in citizen rights knowledge and lawful filming practices.
  • Create local government advocacy template: Draft 5 talking points for city council meetings on ICE cooperation and public statements.
  • Track 5-10 legislative actions per state: Monitor proposed bills related to outlawing mass law enforcement or creating legal causes of action against ICE.
  • Measure congressional budget leverage: Analyze 3-5 budget appropriations that could be used to force changes to ICE operations.

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

"That's fine, dude, I'm not mad." Those were the words Renee Nicole Macklin Good offered in conciliation to the government agent who would shoot her dead moments later in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot her in the face in an act of extraordinary cowardice that was documented on the scene and has been replayed millions of times since the murder. This was a graphic, grotesque example of state violence, step seven in the ten steps to autocracy and authoritarianism which I've laid out in the Ten Steps campaign.

Stacey Abrams highlights this quote to underscore the tragic irony of Renee Good's final words, emphasizing the extreme nature of the state violence that followed. Abrams uses this to illustrate her point that such acts are a deliberate tool for authoritarians to enforce compliance.

"You see, state violence is a key tool for authoritarians. Its purpose is clear: it's a stark, deadly reminder to not resist, not protest, simply accept their demands or face the consequences. And at this stage of democracy's collapse, state violence becomes a regular feature of government."

Stacey Abrams explains that authoritarians use state violence as a primary method to suppress dissent and enforce obedience. Abrams argues that as democratic systems weaken, the normalization of such violence becomes a characteristic of governmental control.

"They begin by mislabeling, starting with who Renee Good actually is, in order to strip her of her humanity. We're told to ignore her identities: that she's a mother, a wife, a poet, an activist, a US citizen. Instead, we're told to recast her as a danger to America, a troublemaker, a domestic terrorist, a criminal."

Stacey Abrams details a tactic used by authoritarian regimes to dehumanize victims and justify their actions. Abrams explains that by mislabeling individuals and focusing on perceived negative traits, the regime aims to strip them of their humanity, making it easier for the public to accept or ignore violence against them.

"And ultimately, the goal is to misdirect us, to misdirect us from what is actually happening around us. Let's be clear, the United States government now operates a masked paramilitary that is armed and believes it has the absolute right to operate with presumed absolute immunity."

Stacey Abrams asserts that a key strategy of authoritarian governments is to divert public attention from their actions. Abrams describes the current U.S. government as operating like an unaccountable paramilitary force, suggesting a dangerous expansion of unchecked power.

"So when Vice President Pence made that statement about this particular officer having absolute immunity, and he said it is so or a fact of law, it, it's not. I mean, certainly there is immunity, often qualified immunity for law enforcement officials who have done something in the course of their duties. But again, qualified is not the same as absolute, which is what he is talking about, just sort of a broad license to do whatever you like."

Melissa Murray clarifies the legal concept of immunity for law enforcement officials, directly refuting Vice President Pence's claim of "absolute immunity." Murray explains that while qualified immunity exists for actions taken within official duties, it is distinct from absolute immunity, which would grant an unchecked license to act.

"And that leads into one of the predicates for authoritarianism, this normalization of state violence. And one of the ways you normalize state violence is by asserting that state violence is not only permissible, it cannot be held accountable. And I think one thing that feels incredibly ominous right now is the way this administration, this regime has very intentionally escalated state violence and normalized it."

Stacey Abrams connects the normalization of state violence to the rise of authoritarianism. Abrams argues that the current administration has deliberately escalated and normalized state violence, making it seem permissible and unaccountable, which she finds deeply concerning.

"I, I have no defense of Ashley Babbitt storming the Capitol on that day. I'm sorry that she was killed in that. And I mean, I think anyone whose lives were lost, the officers who later committed suicide, the officers who hurt, like it was all an incredibly regrettable, preventable tragedy that unfolded five years ago on January 6th. I think though the difference in treatment of Ashley Babbitt and Renee Nicole Good by this administration reflects something really profound about what they're doing and the discourse with which they are doing it."

Melissa Murray contrasts the reactions to the deaths of Ashley Babbitt and Renee Good, highlighting a perceived disparity in how the administration treats individuals based on their political alignment and identity. Murray acknowledges the tragedy of Babbitt's death but emphasizes that the administration's differing responses reveal a deeper pattern in their political discourse.

"The legal question here is about the President's constitutional authority to remove officers of multi-member agencies. And this has been an issue since Franklin Roosevelt. You know, Congress creates these multi-member agencies like the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Reserve, and they're meant to operate independently of politics. Like so they're not supposed to be buffeted by politics."

Melissa Murray explains the legal precedent regarding the President's authority to remove members of independent agencies. Murray notes that these agencies, such as the Federal Reserve, are designed to operate independently of political influence, a principle established in cases dating back to Franklin Roosevelt's presidency.

"And so like if you don't get that, I don't know what to say to you. Also about racial hierarchy and white supremacy and not really about merit is the fact that for 200 years, you had these guys who basically had an artificially limited pool of competition. Like they were only competing against other guys like themselves. Like they didn't have to compete against any women. They didn't have to compete against any people of color. And they thought that was merit. Like you weren't playing on the field with all of the available players. I mean, like they tell themselves constantly. I mean, it's not about merit. It's about hoarding resources. It is about racial hierarchy. And the sooner we all just like understand that that's what they're dealing with, the better."

Melissa Murray argues that the concept of "merit" is often used to mask underlying issues of white supremacy and racial hierarchy. Murray contends that for centuries, a select group has benefited from an artificially limited competitive pool, leading them to believe their success is solely based on merit, when in reality, it is about maintaining power and resources within a racial hierarchy.

"And then, you know, finally, the first words of the Constitution are we the people. When everyone turned out for those no kings marches, they were shook. They were shook. They were genuinely shook. And when people turned out for elections in 2025 that weren't supposed to be anything but were literally people being like, F this, I hate it. They were shook. And they should be because this isn't popular. This is minority rule in every sense of the word."

Melissa Murray emphasizes the power of collective action and citizen engagement, citing public demonstrations and election turnouts as evidence

Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "While Justice Sleeps" by Stacy Abrams - Mentioned as Stacy Abrams' first legal thriller, featuring a character who heads the Office of Law Enforcement Coordination (OLAC).

Articles & Papers

  • "The Killing of Renee Good and the Normalization of State Violence" (Assembly Required podcast) - The primary subject of the discussion, detailing the death of Renee Good and its implications.
  • "Trump v. Slaughter" - Mentioned as a pending Supreme Court case concerning the removal of a Federal Trade Commission commissioner.
  • "Trump v. Lisa Cook" - Mentioned as a pending Supreme Court case concerning the removal of a Federal Reserve governor.
  • "Humphrey's Executor v. United States" - Referenced as a 1935 Supreme Court decision establishing that Congress can insulate members of multi-member commissions from removal without cause.
  • "New York Times" article - Mentioned as reporting on the President of the United States' objections to civil rights era laws and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

People

  • Renee Nicole Macklin Good - Subject of the discussion, a woman who was shot and killed by an ICE agent.
  • Jonathan Ross - ICE agent who shot Renee Good.
  • Stacy Abrams - Host of "Assembly Required" podcast, author, and political figure.
  • Melissa Murray - NYU Law Professor, host of "Strict Scrutiny" podcast, and guest on "Assembly Required."
  • Jon Bon Jovi - Mentioned in relation to his father's Alzheimer's, inspiring the creation of Mosh.
  • Maria Shreve - Co-founder of Mosh.
  • Patrick Schwarzenegger - Co-founder of Mosh.
  • J.D. Vance - Mentioned for announcing a new DOJ position to investigate fraud nationwide and for his potential role as an heir to a particular political movement.
  • Brett Favre - Former governor accused of engaging in widespread fraud.
  • Cash Patel - Former podcaster and Trump sycophant, mentioned in relation to the FBI.
  • Dan Bongino - Mentioned as a podcaster whose actions are contrasted with those of Melissa Murray.
  • Kirstjen Nielsen - Former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, mentioned in relation to domestic terrorism and ICE.
  • O.J. Simpson - Mentioned in the context of civil remedies for wrongful death.
  • Ron Goldman - Mentioned in relation to the O.J. Simpson civil case.
  • Nicole Brown Simpson - Mentioned in relation to the O.J. Simpson civil case.
  • Kamala Harris - Mentioned in relation to an advertisement concerning public resources and gender identity.
  • Erica Green - New York Times reporter who wrote an article about the President's objections to civil rights era laws.
  • Kennedy - Mentioned in relation to the initiation of affirmative action programs in the federal government.
  • George Floyd - Mentioned in relation to the racial reckoning of 2020.
  • Hugo Chavez - Former leader of Venezuela, mentioned as a comparison for authoritarian figures.
  • Nicolas Maduro - Current leader of Venezuela, mentioned in relation to authoritarianism.
  • Jerome Powell - Chair of the Federal Reserve, mentioned in relation to grand jury subpoenas and interest rate decisions.
  • Lisa Cook - Federal Reserve governor, mentioned in relation to a Supreme Court case seeking her removal and her identity as the first Black woman to serve as a governor of the Federal Reserve.
  • Frankin Delano Roosevelt - Former U.S. President, mentioned in relation to the precedent of removing officials from multi-member agencies.
  • Russell Vought - Mentioned as a figure attempting to restructure government and as a potential heir to a political movement.
  • Pete Hegseth - Mentioned as a figure attempting to restructure government.
  • Marco Rubio - Mentioned as a potential heir to a political movement.
  • Sherri Whitfield - Mentioned as a figure from "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" to illustrate a lack of concern.
  • Bill Clinton - Former U.S. President, mentioned in relation to the Republican party's strategy during his administration.

Organizations & Institutions

  • Paragold - Mentioned as a destination for luxury home furnishings.
  • Arizona State University (ASU) - Mentioned for offering online degrees.
  • ASU Online - Mentioned as the online learning platform for Arizona State University.
  • Crooked Media - Production company for "Assembly Required."
  • ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) - Agency involved in the shooting of Renee Good and subject of protest.
  • FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) - Agency investigating the ICE shooting, led by Cash Patel.
  • Department of Homeland Security - Agency overseeing ICE.
  • National Guard - Mentioned as being deployed in cities.
  • ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) - Law enforcement agency mentioned for comparison of use of force standards.
  • Department of Justice - Agency investigating fraud and DEI initiatives.
  • National Immigrant Justice Center - Organization providing information on immigrant rights.
  • Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) - Organization providing best practices for filming ICE activity.
  • Common Cause - Organization to find representatives and contact local officials.
  • Envision Freedom Fund - Organization that helps free people from immigrant detention.
  • Netflix - Presenting Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio.
  • Guillermo del Toro - Director and writer of Pinocchio.
  • Critics' Choice Awards - Award mentioned in relation to Pinocchio.
  • Acting Awards - Award mentioned in relation to Pinocchio.
  • The New York Times - Publication mentioned for reviews of Pinocchio and for an article about the President's views.
  • Jacob Tremblay - Actor in Pinocchio.
  • Esquire - Publication that reviewed Pinocchio.
  • Federal Reserve Bank - Institution facing investigation and pressure regarding interest rates.
  • Senate Banking Committee - Committee before which Jerome Powell testified.
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Agency mentioned in relation to removal of commissioners.
  • Merit Systems Protection Board - Agency mentioned in relation to removal of members.
  • National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) - Agency mentioned in relation to removal of members.
  • Supreme Court - Court mentioned in relation to several cases and its interpretation of the Constitution.
  • Princeton University - Institution where Kim Lane Scheppele is a scholar.
  • The Real Housewives of Atlanta - Television show mentioned.
  • The Washington Post - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Atlantic - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Wall Street Journal - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The New Yorker - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Nation - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The American Prospect - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Intercept - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Baffler - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Jacobin - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Socialist Worker - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The People's World - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Workers World - Publication mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Communist Party USA - Organization mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Party for Socialism and Liberation - Organization mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Green Party - Political party mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Libertarian Party - Political party mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Constitution Party - Political party mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Republican Party - Political party mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Democratic Party - Political party mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Progressive Party - Political party mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Working Families Party - Political party mentioned in relation to the President's actions.
  • The Black Lives Matter movement - Movement mentioned in relation to racial justice.
  • The MeToo movement - Movement mentioned in relation to gender justice.
  • The Women's March - Event mentioned in relation to protests.
  • The No Kings March - Event mentioned in relation to protests.
  • The 2025 Elections - Elections mentioned in relation to citizen participation.
  • The 2026 Midterms - Elections mentioned in relation to political strategy.
  • The 2028 Elections - Elections mentioned in relation to political strategy.
  • The Electoral College - System mentioned in relation to representation.
  • The Senate - Legislative body mentioned in relation to representation.
  • The House of Representatives - Legislative body mentioned in relation to representation.
  • The Judiciary - Branch of government mentioned in relation to accountability.
  • The Executive Branch - Branch of government mentioned in relation to power consolidation.
  • The Legislative Branch - Branch of government mentioned in relation to power.
  • The Judicial Branch - Branch of government mentioned in relation to power.
  • The Presidency - Office mentioned in relation to power.
  • The Imperial Presidency - Concept mentioned in relation to the presidency.
  • The Constitution - Governing document mentioned in relation to law and interpretation.
  • The Bill of Rights - Part of the Constitution mentioned in relation to rights.
  • The Civil Rights Act - Law mentioned in relation to integration and access.
  • The Voting Rights Act - Law mentioned in relation to civil rights.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Law mentioned in relation to disability rights.
  • The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) - Law mentioned in relation to family care.
  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act - Law mentioned in relation to federal funds and discrimination.
  • The 10th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to states' rights.
  • The 4th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to search and seizure.
  • The 5th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to due process.
  • The 14th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to equal protection.
  • The 15th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to voting rights.
  • The 19th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to women's suffrage.
  • The 26th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to voting age.
  • The 24th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to poll taxes.
  • The 23rd Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to Washington D.C. voting rights.
  • The 17th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to direct election of senators.
  • The 12th Amendment - Amendment mentioned in relation to presidential election procedures

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