America is now a laboratory of autocratic innovation, and it is vital for our nation’s future to be clear about what is happening. Here is a summary of the argument that follows. I have carefully considered every word because the language we use matters.

The Donald Trump administration blends classic means of authoritarian takeover with something new: a power-sharing agreement between a president and a private individual, Elon Musk. This agreement allowed the latter to strike at the state via a lawless vanguard of technical experts under his command. That vanguard is now embedded in over 30 government agencies and programs.

Far from ending its work, DOGE is expanding, and its lawless actions are being institutionalized as a second phase of action begins. DOGE and Project 2025’s own armies of democratic destruction will work together under Office of Management and Budget director Russ Vought’s guide. Some say DOGE was a failure; I say it has been all too successful.

History shows that once a vanguard of rogues and lawless individuals gets a hold on government, it is difficult to eject them. Rather, the changes in government applied with force by this vanguard become normalized. And that is what is happening here.

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