Authoritarian Tactics Undermine Justice, Require Active Support for Truth

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams · December 04, 2025 · Listen to Original Episode →

Original Title:

TL;DR

The alleged extrajudicial killing of two survivors by the US military, under the guise of drug interdiction, highlights the dangers of granting loyalists unfettered authority with scant oversight, as outlined in "10 Steps to Autocracy."
The potential presidential pardon for a convicted drug trafficker, contrasted with the summary execution of unconvicted individuals, reveals a pattern of autocrats protecting each other, undermining the US legal system's integrity.
The weaponization of events like the shooting of National Guard members to advance anti-immigrant policies demonstrates how authoritarian tactics leverage fear to dismantle protections and advance a restrictive vision of national identity.
Neutralizing critical language, such as "witch hunt" or "hate speech," is a deliberate strategy to prevent accountability by making it impossible to accurately describe and condemn harmful actions.
A razor-thin congressional majority, particularly when led by figures who prioritize power over constitutional adherence, increases the risk of further authoritarian consolidation and potential challenges to democratic processes.
The normalization of divisive symbols and the rollback of policies against hate incidents, even if temporarily reversed, signal a dangerous erosion of civil rights protections and a disregard for established norms.
Supporting local journalism through subscriptions is crucial for combating information vacuums and holding power accountable, as these outlets provide essential, practical information about governance at state and local levels.

Deep Dive

The core argument is that the current political moment demands active engagement against rising authoritarianism, which is manifesting through the weaponization of language, the erosion of democratic norms, and the exploitation of crises. This necessitates understanding the human stories behind policy decisions and actively supporting institutions that uphold truth and accountability to counter these trends.

The alleged order by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for a second strike on survivors of a U.S. missile attack reveals a dangerous pattern of extrajudicial killings under the guise of combating illicit drugs. This action, potentially a war crime, is contextualized by the pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, a convicted drug trafficker, illustrating a pattern of autocratic solidarity and the subversion of justice. The episode highlights how this administration weaponizes events, such as the shooting of National Guard members, to advance anti-immigrant policies and suppress dissent, while also targeting pro-democracy organizations and attempting to stifle free expression.

Alex Wagner's new podcast, "Runaway Country," aims to counter this by focusing on the human element behind the headlines, believing that storytelling is crucial for re-engaging a public numbed by the rapid pace of news. This approach is exemplified by discussions on the Epstein files, where the focus shifts from political gamesmanship to the experiences of survivors, and by dissecting the complex narrative surrounding the shooting of National Guard members, revealing how such events are used to fuel anti-immigrant agendas and undermine asylum processes.

A critical implication is the deliberate neutralization of language used to describe wrongdoing. Terms like "witch hunt," "weaponization," and even "hate speech" are deliberately rendered meaningless, stripping away the ability to accurately describe and condemn authoritarian actions. This linguistic subversion is a key tactic, alongside litigation and legislative maneuvering, to dismantle protections and prevent the establishment of new ones.

The razor-thin Republican majority in Congress is presented not as a sign of impending democratic capitulation, but as a potential catalyst for more aggressive, desperate tactics. Speaker Mike Johnson's consistent pivot to the party's right flank, enabling and amplifying extremist impulses, serves as a prime example of how individuals with compromised principles enable authoritarian slides. The episode stresses that democrats must secure a substantial majority in 2026 to counter potential election denial and challenges to democratic outcomes, as the current administration explicitly signals intentions to subvert electoral processes.

The takeaway is that vigilance and active participation are paramount. Supporting local journalism is identified as a critical homework assignment, as it provides the essential information needed to understand and counter policy decisions and hold power accountable. This act of supporting truth-telling institutions is framed as a direct countermeasure to the information vacuum and deliberate obfuscation employed by authoritarian forces.

Action Items

Audit language neutralization: Identify 3-5 instances where critical terms (e.g., "witch hunt," "hate speech") have been diluted and propose re-anchoring them to their original, impactful meanings.
Create local journalism support plan: For 1-2 local newspapers, outline a strategy to increase subscriptions or donations, focusing on their role in holding local officials accountable.
Analyze narrative weaponization: For 2-3 current events, map how opposing sides use storytelling to advance agendas and identify counter-narratives that emphasize factual complexity.
Draft accountability framework: Define 3-5 criteria for assessing when political rhetoric crosses into authoritarian tactics, focusing on actions that stifle dissent or delegitimize democratic processes.

Key Quotes

"Pete Hegseth, head of America's Defense Department, has been accused of ordering the extrajudicial killings of two survivors of an American missile attack on a fishing boat suspected of containing some undisclosed amount of drugs. The two dead are among more than 80 killed during an undeclared war being waged in the Caribbean under the guise of defending US citizens against the scourge of illicit drugs. This is what happens when step five of the 10 steps to autocracy and authoritarianism take place: step five is when loyalists are given unfettered authority and scant oversight."

Stacey Abrams argues that Pete Hegseth's alleged actions represent a dangerous escalation of unchecked authority, aligning with a pattern of authoritarianism. Abrams highlights that this situation, where loyalists are given significant power with minimal oversight, is a critical step in the progression towards autocratic rule.

"Men bobbing on boats off the coast of Venezuela who received neither due process nor trial have been summarily executed by the US military. Yet a proven drug trafficker serving 45 years in prison after proceeding fully through our legal system has been given a get out of jail free card as a favor because autocrats look out for each other."

Stacey Abrams points out a stark contradiction in how the US justice system is applied, contrasting the summary execution of individuals without due process with the potential pardon of a convicted drug trafficker. Abrams suggests this disparity reveals a pattern of solidarity among autocratic leaders, where personal favors override legal and ethical considerations.

"The idea that anybody can sit out the fight and that there's a kind of -- that there's a non-partisan -- it's not about partisanship. It is if you are in the business of journalism and truth-telling, you are in the fight. Like you are literally by virtue of wanting to tell stories and accurately report what's happening, you are a combatant against this administration because they are so intent on stifling dissent, stifling criticism, and stifling the truth."

Alex Wagner asserts that in the current political climate, journalists engaged in truth-telling are inherently participants in a struggle against an administration that actively suppresses dissent and truth. Wagner frames this not as a partisan issue but as a fundamental role of journalism in confronting authoritarian tactics.

"The other is like Pete Hegseth and his clownish pompador, lack of qualifications, and his history of being inebriated and unqualified and all sorts of other incompetencies that should never have allowed him to be in this position. ... here we have an example of someone who's just grossly unqualified for the job doing the thing the the most serious thing that the job demands, which is ordering the slaughter of people and using Seal Team Six to do it."

Alex Wagner criticizes Pete Hegseth's qualifications and conduct, arguing that his personal unsuitability for his role is starkly demonstrated by his alleged order for lethal action. Wagner emphasizes that Hegseth's alleged actions highlight a dangerous disconnect between his perceived unseriousness and the grave responsibilities of his position.

"The fact that they did, but also the reversal is equally disturbing because I think what has happened is, especially in the first couple months of this administration, they've done so many bad things so quickly, largely under cover of night and with, you know, so much sort of like not fastidiousness, but so rapidly that people haven't actually clocked what's happening, and I think they thought they could get away with this and nobody would really notice."

Alex Wagner expresses concern that the rapid pace of controversial actions by the administration, even when reversed, indicates a strategy of testing boundaries and normalizing problematic behavior. Wagner suggests that the administration's speed and method of implementation aim to evade public scrutiny and accountability.

"And when you neutralize language, when people can no longer say what happened here is wrong, and this is how I would describe it as being wrong, when you steal language from people, that's stealing the first way in which we hold people accountable. Is by the accusation. If you can no longer make the accusation itself, then that undermines the entire system of holding people accountable."

Alex Wagner argues that the deliberate neutralization of language, such as terms like "witch hunt" or "hate speech," is a tactic to undermine accountability. Wagner explains that by rendering descriptive language meaningless, the administration makes it impossible to accurately identify and condemn wrongdoing, thereby weakening the entire system of holding individuals responsible.

Resources

External Resources

Books

"Creation Lake" by Rachel Kushner - Mentioned as a current read, described as atmospheric, with elements of spy thrillers, socialist themes, love stories, political history, and anthropology.

Articles & Papers

"Runaway Country" (Crooked Media podcast) - Mentioned as Alex Wagner's new podcast, which tells stories behind headlines and provides analysis.
"The Beast" (TV show) - Mentioned as a show watched by Alex Wagner, which explores the idea of inner darkness.
"The Great British Bake Off" (TV show) - Mentioned as a holiday viewing tradition for Alex Wagner and her children.
"Assembly Notes" (Substack) - Mentioned as Stacey Abrams' Substack for deeper dives and thoughts on fighting authoritarianism.
"The 10 Steps Campaign" (Organization) - Mentioned as a campaign advocating for affordable healthcare and providing a toolkit for fighting authoritarianism.
"Just Fix It" (Initiative) - Mentioned as a nationwide, nonpartisan activation led by the 10 Steps Campaign to protect healthcare access.
"ACLU's website at aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights" (Website) - Mentioned for providing guidance on protesters' rights.
"Washington Post report" - Mentioned as exposing an alleged verbal order for a second strike by Pete Hegseth.
"The Bullwark" (Podcast) - Mentioned as a platform where George Packer and Tim Miller discussed Mike Johnson.

People

Alex Wagner - Veteran journalist and host of the podcast "Runaway Country," guest on "Assembly Required."
Pete Hegseth - Secretary of Defense, accused of ordering extrajudicial killings.
Juan Orlando Hernandez - Former president of Honduras, convicted of receiving bribes and partnering with cocaine traffickers.
Donald Trump - Mentioned in relation to plans to pardon Juan Orlando Hernandez and his administration's actions.
Marina Lacerda - Epstein survivor, mentioned in relation to the release of Epstein investigation files.
George Packer - Mentioned in a discussion on The Bullwark podcast.
Tim Miller - Mentioned in a discussion on The Bullwark podcast.
Mike Johnson - Speaker of the House, discussed in relation to his political actions and perceived lack of conviction.
Adelita Grijalva - Mentioned in relation to her delayed seating in the House of Representatives.
Michael Julian Bond - Mentioned as an example of someone denied a seat in the House post-Reconstruction.
Marjorie Taylor Greene - Mentioned in relation to her constituents and the actions of women in Congress.
Nancy Mace - Mentioned as a woman in Congress whose constituents' voices were heard.
Lauren Boebert - Mentioned as a woman in Congress whose constituents' voices were heard.
Hakeem Jeffries - Mentioned in contrast to Mike Johnson's political maneuvering.
Rachel Kushner - Author of "Creation Lake."
Matthew Rhys - Actor, mentioned in relation to watching "The Beast."
Claire Danes - Actress, mentioned in relation to watching "The Beast."
Maria Shriver - Co-founder of Mosh.
Patrick Schwarzenegger - Co-founder of Mosh.

Organizations & Institutions

Crooked Media - Production company for the podcast "Runaway Country" and "Assembly Required."
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) - Mentioned for its website providing guidance on protesters' rights.
10 Steps Campaign - Organization involved in the "Just Fix It" initiative and advocating for affordable healthcare.
SEIU-NW (Service Employees International Union) - Partner in the "Just Fix It" initiative.
Caring Across Generations - Partner in the "Just Fix It" initiative.
MomsRising - Partner in the "Just Fix It" initiative.
Shopify - Commerce platform mentioned as a tool for businesses.
NFL (National Football League) - Mentioned in the context of sports analytics.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) - Data source for player grading.
New England Patriots - Example team for performance analysis.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) - Mentioned in the context of protests and actions.
Palantir - Suspected of linking targeting technologies to spy on Americans.
MSNBC - Former employer of Alex Wagner.
The White House - Mentioned in relation to the Trump administration.
House of Representatives - Mentioned in relation to congressional actions and majorities.
Senate - Mentioned in relation to congressional actions.
Department of Homeland Security - Mentioned in relation to election deniers.
Coast Guard - Mentioned for revising a policy on hateful symbols.
Women's Alzheimer's Movement - Recipient of a portion of Mosh proceeds.
Optum - Company using technology to simplify healthcare.
State Street Investment Management - Provider of the DIA ETF.
DIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF) - ETF tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Alps Distributors Inc. - Distributor for DIA.

Tools & Software

Shopify - Commerce platform mentioned as a tool for businesses.
Aura Frames - Digital photo frame service offering personalized gifts.
Cognizin - Patented form of citicoline used in Mosh bars for brain health.

Websites & Online Resources

aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights - Website for protesters' rights guidance.
aclu.org - Mentioned in relation to protesters' rights.
10steps campaign.org - Website for the 10 Steps Campaign.
auraframes.com - Website for Aura Frames.
statestreet.com/im - Website for State Street Investment Management.
moshlife.com/assembly - Website for Mosh bars.
optum.com - Website for Optum.

Podcasts & Audio

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams - The podcast where this discussion is taking place.
Runaway Country - New podcast by Alex Wagner.
The Circus - Previous show Alex Wagner was involved with.
The Bullwark - Podcast featuring George Packer and Tim Miller.

Other Resources

10 Steps to Autocracy and Authoritarianism - A framework discussed in relation to government actions.
Epstein Files - Mentioned in relation to survivors' access to information and political fracturing.
Great Replacement Theory - Mentioned in relation to the Trump administration's agenda.
Third Reich - Mentioned in historical comparison to current political tactics.
White Nationalists - Mentioned in relation to political rhetoric.
Reconstruction Era America - Mentioned as a historical period the current administration is seen as trying to revert to.
Witch Hunt - Term discussed as being delegitimized.
Weaponization - Term discussed as being delegitimized.
Hate Speech - Term discussed as being delegitimized.
Harassment - Term discussed as being delegitimized.
DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) - Mentioned as a concept being attacked.
Critical Race Theory - Mentioned as a concept being attacked.
Abortion - Mentioned in historical context of attacks on rights.
Democracy - Discussed as a concept and a system of governance.
Fascism - Mentioned as a political ideology being fought against.
Liberal Democracy - Mentioned as the system at stake.
Voting Rights - Discussed as a bedrock of ownership.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) - Mentioned in relation to expiring subsidies.
Healthcare Costs - Discussed as a concern for families.
Socialism for Billionaires - Term used to describe economic policies.
Hate Symbols - Discussed in relation to Coast Guard policy.
Nooses - Mentioned as a hateful symbol.
Swastikas - Mentioned as a hateful symbol.
Hate Incident - Term previously used in policy, now replaced.
Gender-Based Brain Health Research - Area of research funded by Mosh.
Alzheimer's Disease - Mentioned in relation to Maria Shriver's family history.
Functional Nutritionists - Professionals involved in creating Mosh bars.
Nootropic - Category of ingredient, specifically citicoline.
Ashwagandha - Ingredient in Mosh bars.
Lion's Mane - Ingredient in Mosh bars.
Collagen - Ingredient in Mosh bars.
Omega-3s - Ingredient in Mosh bars.
Dissent - Discussed as something being stifled.
Truth Telling - Discussed as a responsibility.
Balance - Discussed in the context of journalism.
Remigration - Nazi-era policy mentioned in relation to current anti-immigrant policies.
Inclusivity - Discussed as a vision for America.
Racial Diversity - Discussed as a vision for America.
Multi-ethnic Society - Discussed as a vision for America.
Multi-religious Society - Discussed as a vision for America.
Civil Rights - Discussed in relation to historical gains and current challenges.
Race Relations - Discussed in relation to historical context and current challenges.
Authoritarianism - Discussed as a danger and a political path.
V Information Vacuum - Term used to describe a lack of reliable information.
Local Journalism - Emphasized as important and needing support.
State Houses - Mentioned as areas covered by local journalism.
City Councils - Mentioned as areas covered by local journalism.
School Boards - Mentioned as areas covered by local journalism.
Federal Government - Mentioned in relation to how its actions are understood through local information.
Insurance Policy - Metaphor used to describe reliance on political figures for protection.
Bipartisan Agreement - Mentioned in relation to holding the administration accountable.
Election Fraud Claims - Mentioned as something to be dismissed.
Democratic Victories - Mentioned as something to be defended.
Gerrymandering - Mentioned as a tactic to influence elections.
Election Deniers - Mentioned as appointees in key positions.
Militarization - Mentioned as a potential tactic to influence elections.
National Guard - Mentioned in relation to potential election influence.
Blue Cities - Mentioned in relation to voting suppression.
January 6th - Mentioned in relation to potential refusal to hand over the gavel.
Reconstruction - Historical period referenced in relation to denial of seats.
Power - Discussed as a motivation for political actions.
Survivors -