Coup in the USA:
US Citizens Losing Control of Their Governance
Abstract
The United States is facing a slow-motion five year coup, orchestrated by President Donald Trump and supported by influential figures such as Elon Musk. Unlike traditional coups, this takeover operates through legal manipulation, digital control, and media influence rather than physical force. Prominent historians, political analysts, and media figures have issued repeated warnings about this ongoing threat. This paper explores the phases of the coup as it has played out over the past 5 years, first articulated by Reich (2023), the psychological desensitization of the American public, and the constitutional principles under attack. It concludes by emphasizing the urgent need to recognize and resist this authoritarian transformation.
Introduction
The term "coup" often evokes images of military tanks and violent overthrows. Scholars of autocratic takeovers of democratic governance emphasize that modern coups increasingly unfold through legal and institutional manipulations designed to hollow out democratic structures from within (Vance, 2025; Reich, 2023; Snyder, 2025). Snyder, in his article "Of course it’s a coup," defines such a coup as a deliberate transformation of government through the capture and erosion of institutions without necessarily using military force (Snyder, 2025). The ongoing coup in the United States, driven by Donald Trump and facilitated by billionaire allies such as Elon Musk, seeks not only to rewrite history but also to normalize previously illegal acts, including the January 6th insurrection (Richardson, 2024).
Despite numerous warnings from journalists and historians, many Americans have failed to grasp the severity of this threat. The Salon article, "Americans Are Sleepwalking into a Trump Dictatorship," captures this complacency, noting that psychological desensitization has dulled the public's response to anti-democratic actions (Rosenberg, 2024). This paper examines the five distinct phases of this coup, as articulated by Reich and others, and assesses their impact on U.S. constitutional governance.
The Five Phases of the Coup
Phase 1: Election Denial and The Big Lie
Robert Reich identifies the refusal to concede the 2020 election as the coup's opening phase. Trump's unfounded claims that the election was stolen have eroded public trust in electoral integrity (Reich, 2023). This "Big Lie" tactic aligns with far-right populist strategies, where leaders frame themselves as the sole representatives of a "silent majority," delegitimizing any opposing votes as fraudulent (Müller, 2024). Fiona Hill has also warned that such tactics are part of a long-term strategy to undermine democracy (Hill, 2021).
Phase 2: Efforts to Overturn the 2020 Election
The second phase involved direct attempts to subvert the election results. Trump's pressure on state officials to "find" votes and his support for fake electors were part of a coordinated effort to invalidate legitimate results (Gregorian & Cui, 2024). These actions violated Article II of the Constitution, which grants states authority over their elections, and defied the principles of the Electoral Count Act of 1887. Cheney and other political figures have described these attempts as catastrophic for American democracy (Axelrod, 2024).
Phase 3: Judicial Undermining and Discrediting Legal Institutions
Trump's attacks on judges and prosecutors intensified as his legal troubles mounted. An analysis by NBC News found that between April 2022 and January 2024, Trump used Truth Social primarily to attack legal officials rather than promote his re-election campaign (Gregorian & Cui, 2024). He targeted figures such as special counsel Jack Smith and New York Attorney General Letitia James with inflammatory rhetoric designed to delegitimize the judiciary. Retired Judge J. Michael Luttig warned that these unprecedented attacks undermine public trust in the independence of the courts (Houghtaling, 2024).
The Supreme Court's decision that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment did not automatically disqualify Trump despite his role in the insurrection may further erode constitutional norms (French, 2024). Now, even insurrectionists who have violated their previous oath of office can hold federal office unless Congress passes specific legislation to enforce Section 3.
Chief Justice John Roberts’s ruling on presidential immunity further exacerbated this issue by providing near-blanket protection for executive actions, even those related to insurrection (Riga, 2024a, 2024b). This legal shield emboldens Trump to rewrite the narrative around January 6, framing his illegal actions as constitutionally protected.
Phase 4: The 2024 Campaign as a Tool for Subversion
Rather than serving as a traditional election effort, Trump’s 2024 campaign functioned as a vehicle to entrench support for his ongoing coup. His campaign aligned with authoritarian leaders globally and leveraged Musk-controlled media platforms to manipulate public perception (Spike, 2024; Vance, 2025). Analysts have noted parallels between Trump's tactics and those of regimes in Poland and Hungary, where populist leaders have similarly exploited disinformation to maintain control (Rosenberg, 2024).
This phase involved a coordinated effort to sustain attacks on legal accountability, with Trump focusing more on discrediting his accusers than addressing policy issues (Reich, 2023). In some instances, Trump attacked the judiciary more frequently than he promoted his campaign (Gregorian & Cui, 2024).
Phase 5: Institutional Capture and Historical Revisionism
The final phase, ushered in by Trump's second presidency, involves consolidating authoritarian control by reshaping government institutions. Project 2025, a blueprint developed by conservative think tanks, outlines plans to purge civil servants, dismantle diversity initiatives, and expand executive authority (Heritage Foundation, 2023). This agenda seeks to "deconstruct the administrative state" by undermining checks and balances, a direct assault on Articles I–III of the Constitution.
As part of this effort, Trump aims to reframe the events of January 6 as a patriotic defense of democracy. Historian Heather Cox Richardson emphasizes that rewriting history is a key tactic in authoritarian regimes, allowing leaders to present their crimes as heroic acts (Richardson, 2024).
Ezra Klein and Sleeping Giant offer differing views on the potential trajectory of this phase. Klein notes that Trump’s political capital is thin, but Sleeping Giant argues that authoritarians do not require overwhelming support from legislatures to consolidate power—only enough governmental muscle to suppress opposition (Klein, 2025; Sleeping Giant, 2025).
Steps to Resist the Coup
Recognizing that the United States is facing a coup is only the first step in resisting it. Effective resistance requires both immediate and sustained actions to slow down authoritarian encroachments. Trump's own legal strategy over the past four years—delaying, obstructing, and exhausting institutional responses to his actions—provides a blueprint for what pro-democracy forces can do to counter and slow down the coup before long-term changes are made.
Delay and Disrupt Autocratic Advances
Democratic institutions must utilize every available legal avenue to slow down authoritarian reforms. Legal challenges should be mounted to obstruct unconstitutional executive actions, leveraging both state and federal courts to create procedural delays. Joyce Vance, in her Civil Discourse analysis, highlights how billionaire influence—particularly Elon Musk’s digital control—intensifies the autocratic push by manipulating public perception and limiting information access. To counter this, coordinated legal and media strategies must disrupt this consolidation of power, ensuring that procedural slowdowns are accompanied by robust, fact-based messaging campaigns to inform the public about ongoing threats.Mobilize Public Awareness and Advocacy
Citizens need to call, email, and write letters to their senators and representatives to demand immediate action against anti-democratic measures. This includes forming coalitions with civil rights organizations, labor unions, and international allies to apply political pressure.Reinforce Democratic Institutions
Local and national leaders must prioritize defending institutions under attack. This includes safeguarding election commissions, the judiciary, and public service institutions from politically motivated purges.Use Media and Information Networks
Just as Musk's media control facilitates disinformation, pro-democracy advocates must establish reliable, independent information channels. Snyder emphasizes the importance of supporting independent journalism and fact-based reporting to combat propaganda and misinformation.Strengthen Global Democratic Alliances
The United States must re-engage with its democratic allies and reinforce international norms that promote democracy. Rebuilding programs like USAID and other diplomatic initiatives can counter the influence of autocratic regimes worldwide.Engage in Direct, Peaceful Action and Avoid Provocations
Organized, peaceful actions send a stronger message without providing pretexts for authoritarian retaliation.Counter Surveillance and Digital Control
Americans must adapt by using encrypted communication tools, minimizing digital footprints, and spreading awareness about surveillance risks. Supporting legislation to limit mass data collection is essential to safeguarding activism.
References
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