Oh, you thought last week was bad? Bless your heart. This week, Trump decided democracy is optional, doubled down on censorship, and went full “I Am The Law” mode. We’re talking a full-blown authoritarian checklist with voter suppression, state-sponsored propaganda, and, for extra spice, a side of war-mongering.
At this point, I’m just waiting for the “mandatory loyalty oaths” order to drop. But let’s break down this week’s disasters first.
1. The “Presidential Election Integrity” Order (March 17, 2025)
What it does:
- Shortens early voting to a maximum of three days.
- Restricts mail-in ballots to military personnel only.
- Requires a “signature verification panel” (aka a Republican-run committee) to approve ballot signatures.
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: The Voting Rights Act still exists, and this violates it.
- Ethical: If your election strategy is “make it harder to vote,” you’re not the good guy.
- Constitutional: States run elections. The federal government does NOT get to dictate how people vote.
2. The “Truth in Media” Executive Order (March 18, 2025)
What it does:
- Creates a “fact-checking board” under the Department of Homeland Security to monitor “fake news.”
- Requires all major news outlets to register for a government-issued “trusted press” license.
- Expands FCC authority to fine media companies that spread “anti-American disinformation.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: The government does NOT get to decide what counts as “real news.” That’s some North Korea-level nonsense.
- Ethical: State-controlled media is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes.
- Constitutional: First Amendment. You cannot just silence the press because they report things you don’t like.
3. The “Protecting American Families” Order (March 19, 2025)
What it does:
- Bans same-sex adoption nationwide.
- Allows states to void existing same-sex parent adoptions.
- Expands funding for “faith-based family services” (aka conversion therapy centers in disguise).
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Family law is a state issue. The president cannot just declare who can adopt.
- Ethical: This is pure homophobic garbage that will harm thousands of kids in need of loving families.
- Constitutional: 14th Amendment. You cannot just strip rights from a specific group because you don’t like them.
4. The “Enhanced National Security” Order (March 20, 2025)
What it does:
- Expands the government’s surveillance of “domestic threats” (aka activists, journalists, and anyone who tweets “fascist” too many times).
- Allows DHS to monitor encrypted messages and private social media accounts for “anti-government activity.”
- Suspends Fourth Amendment protections for cases involving “national security threats.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: The Fourth Amendment exists. You cannot just erase it because you want to.
- Ethical: Let’s call this what it is: a crackdown on dissent.
- Constitutional: The government cannot spy on its own citizens without a warrant. Period.
5. The “Restoring Public Order” Act (March 21, 2025)
What it does:
- Creates harsher penalties for “unauthorized protests.”
- Allows police to detain protest organizers indefinitely under “riot prevention” policies.
- Expands federal funding for police departments that “uphold traditional American values.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: “Unauthorized protests” are just protests the government doesn’t like. That’s not how free speech works.
- Ethical: This is a direct attack on activism and will disproportionately target BIPOC communities.
- Constitutional: First Amendment. Protests do NOT need government approval.
6. The “Military Readiness” Order (March 22, 2025)
What it does:
- Reinstates the military draft for men ages 18-35 and women ages 18-30.
- Expands military recruitment efforts in “historically underserved communities.”
- Fast-tracks deployment approvals for “strategic global conflicts.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: The draft requires congressional approval. Trump can’t just bring it back with an executive order.
- Ethical: Ah yes, let’s force poor people and minorities into military service while the rich buy their way out.
- Constitutional: You can’t just reinstate a draft unilaterally. That’s not how this works.
7. The “Presidential Emergency Powers” Order (March 23, 2025)
What it does:
- Expands executive emergency powers to allow Trump to suspend laws if they interfere with “national security” or “public stability.”
- Authorizes the use of federal troops to “restore order” during times of “domestic unrest.”
- Allows the president to delay federal elections if “necessary for national security.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: This is straight-up dictatorship-level power grabbing.
- Ethical: Delaying elections is how authoritarian regimes stay in power indefinitely.
- Constitutional: The Constitution does NOT allow the president to just cancel elections. This is full-blown coup material.
Final Thoughts
I don’t know how to make this any clearer: This is fascism. Trump is attacking voting rights, free speech, press freedom, bodily autonomy, and now he’s bringing back the draft?
At this point, if he signs one more executive order expanding his powers, we might as well start calling him Emperor Trump. Because that’s exactly where this is heading.
And if we don’t resist this NOW, we might not get another chance.
Sources:
- List of Executive Orders – Wikipedia
- Voting Rights – Brennan Center for Justice
- Press Freedom – Reporters Without Borders
- Protest Rights – ACLU
- Military Draft Laws – Selective Service System
- Executive Emergency Powers – Congressional Research Service
