Don't know if what I'm feeling is grounded in reality since I just had a particularly productive therapy session but I think I was feeling this beforehand too when I was scrolling this morning.
From what I'm seeing in the shift in posture, Stephen Miller blew his load and I assume Capital is getting antsy and is trying to cut off the Infinite Vice-Signal Machine. In a dark way, Alex Pretti was the perfect victim for the American public, and his execution was so blatantly appalling that it seems that that, alongside the general strike, is shocking the bourgeoisie into realignment with social liberalism for the first time since 2025's "mandate".
If it is the case that the leash is being pulled, expect to see the internal contradictions between the accelerationist cadre (ICE, Miller, Noem, Bovino, Thiel) and the thermostatics (Trump, Cruz, Vance) start to heighten. (EDIT: it, at least rhetorically, begins) The state-integrated Proud Boys and Oathkeepers on the ground are going to try to hit the gas on the tension pedal now that the leash for Unlimited GTA LARP might be tugged. They want to provoke the race war as much as they possibly can before the party ends. Miller, if competent, will take an L, fall into the background, and bide his time until we approach US midterms for another ramping up of domestic repression. They seem to want to make Noem and/or Bovino the fall guys for this, though I'd laugh if they somehow take Miller down with them.
If you are in the USA and my vibe meter holds (meaning the admin takes the L on this and retreats), you should be operating as if this is an armistice that will last, reasonably, at most until midterm elections. Even if they fold on their aura-farming about 'canceling the elections', treat it like they won't and immediately seek to organize with cool people within your area. gather the tools, strategies and general means to defend against and disrupt militant repression.
If I'm wrong (the admin doubles down), then we are truly in the Decades Week, agitate as much as possible to the laymen and rally for shows of worker power, as well as linking up with your local socialists and workers, of course. The former path's goals are worthwhile too if you and your comrades can muster them in time.
The best time to get offline and talk to the people in your area was when you first gained political consciousness. The second best time is now.
Part of me believed that Trump is merely acting as the cruel Stick so that the next president can be the friendlier Carrot. USA will move past this dark time just as it went “past” Covid-19, eagerly embracing the new dawn while swatting away the unpleasant thought that it can be bad again. A collective mindset like that is counter revolutionary, and a competent fascist state would cultivate it intentionally.
The above is what I thought before Minnesota. Not anymore. This bell can’t be un-rung. The careful construction and deployment of ICE contradicts any narrative of it being a temporary, expedient Stick. We’re going into the next phase of fascism for real; it may cool off, it may smolder, but it will never extinguish without being forcibly doused.
Agreed. I think whether it's capital behind the scenes pulling the reins a bit, Trump getting cold feet, or some other group of competent operators they will chill for a bit. Apply pressure then release ad infinitum. Again, not that fascism is going away, more so that in order to control the populace effectively you need to scare them but not so much they quickly develop class consciousness. Let them feel like there's a win, allow the radical energy to dissipate before accelerating anew. All the while the oligarchs consolidate power behind the scenes and project power to those areas of the Global South still vulnerable to our intervention.
If anybody reading this is staying in the US, take advantage of this time to continue agitating. It'll be harder because AmeriKKKans have the memories of goldfish nowadays and if ICE isn't plastered all over the news many will forget, but many will not. Good luck comrades.