Authoritarianism Is Here — Congress Must Act Before April 20

I’m sounding the alarm about President Trump’s January 20 executive order declaring a national emergency and directing the Pentagon and DHS to report—by April 20—on whether to invoke the Insurrection Act. This is not speculation. It’s a legal path to using U.S. troops against civilians on American soil. We’ve seen Trump abuse power before: from violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square to family separation at the border to the innocent residents illegally imprisoned in El Salvador. He’s shown time and again that he will go too far. Now, with loyalists like Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and J.D. Vance in key national security positions, there’s every reason to believe he’ll use this law to silence dissent and tighten control. Here’s what can happen under the Insurrection Act: • The President can send the military into cities to stop protests—even peaceful ones. • He can bypass governors and take over local law enforcement. • People can be arrested quickly under emergency powers. • Freedom of speech, protest, and even the press can be limited, all in the name of “order.” • It’s legal, but it’s dangerous—and it threatens the basic rights of everyday Americans. Congress must act immediately. Demand full transparency about the April 20 report. Hold public hearings. Get every official on record before the law is used to turn troops on our own people. Once this power is triggered, it will be too late. We are on the edge of authoritarianism. Don’t wait until after it happens to say something went wrong.