White Evangelicalism and Power Politics

Reminding us again what's at stake this election, Capitol Police Officer Danny Hodges and his fellow officers held the line for our country on January 6th. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln.

Dr. Jennifer Mercieca writes: "Trump's rallies and scripted television appearances are a fascist catechism of calls and responses where indoctrination occurs through scary fear appeals, promises of protection, and commitments of loyalty."

Democracy is under siege, and state-sanctioned vigilantes are leading the charge. In this episode Rick speaks with Jon Michaels and David Noll, authors of the upcoming book Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy. They discuss the alarming rise of state-backed vigilante activities, particularly through laws like Texas SB8, and how these efforts are aimed at achieving authoritarian political control. The conversation explores the MAGA movement's tactics, the threats to democratic institutions, and the potential dangers surrounding future U.S. elections. It's a chilling analysis of how private actors, with state approval, are shaping America’s political landscape.

Rick talks to Peter Simi, a sociology professor and expert in extremism, about the alarming rise of white supremacy in the U.S., where the movement has evolved from the overt image of the Klan to a slick, social media-driven force. Simi highlights how figures like Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson amplify these ideologies and how younger generations are being recruited online. He emphasizes the need for intervention programs to help individuals leave the movement and combat its growing influence. Buy Peter Simi’s book – “Out of Hiding: Extremist White Supremacy and How It Can be Stopped” – at fine bookstores everywhere.

Brian Daitzman writes, "Trump’s presidency wasn’t just a period of poor leadership—it brought with it a contagion of chaos and division, a swarm of misery that feasted on the carcass of what was once the Republican Party."