This Is How Authoritarianism Works — And How We Stop It
"Authoritarianism thrives on fear and silence. We dismantle it with truth, connection, and the courage to act—together." - Mary Coughlin
This Is How Authoritarianism Works — And How We Stop It
August was always going to be volatile. But this week? It’s already a master class in how authoritarianism tightens its grip: chaos, cruelty, and calculated power grabs, executed in plain sight.
President Donald Trump — a 34-time convicted felon and a man who clawed his way back to the White House on the back of the Big Lie — is not quietly governing. He is actively eroding the very foundations of our democracy.
Let’s be clear:
Federal Overreach – In Washington, D.C., Trump has seized control of local policing, deploying the National Guard and wresting authority from local leaders, all under the false pretense of a “crime wave.” The truth? Violent crime in D.C. is down significantly. This is about optics, not safety. It’s a show of force meant to remind us who’s in charge.
Silencing Dissent – The White House Peace Vigil has stood for nearly 44 years as a quiet, persistent witness for peace. Now, a congressman wants it gone. Erasing symbols of resistance is not incidental — it’s page one of the authoritarian playbook.
Fear as a Political Weapon – Trump’s lies about crime in D.C. echo his false narratives about Los Angeles, stoking fear to consolidate power. This is trauma by design: keep the public dysregulated and distracted while dismantling the guardrails of democracy.
What Is the Big Lie?
The Big Lie is Donald Trump’s false claim that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was “stolen” from him through massive voter fraud.
This allegation was debunked by bipartisan election officials, dozens of court rulings, and Trump’s own Justice Department.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency called 2020 “the most secure election in American history.”
The Big Lie fueled the January 6th attack on the Capitol and continues to drive voter suppression, gerrymandering, and election subversion.
The term comes from a propaganda technique: tell a colossal falsehood, repeat it often, and people will believe it—especially if it stirs fear or resentment.
The Trauma We’re Living Through
I teach that healing requires safety, trust, voice, and empowerment. Remove those, and you set the stage for harm — whether in a NICU, a community, or a country.
What we are seeing in D.C. right now is the macro-scale version of the very dynamics we work to undo in healthcare:
Belonging is replaced with division.
Feeling Understood is replaced with gaslighting.
Equanimity is replaced with constant crisis.
Respect is replaced with force and intimidation.
When leaders deliberately create fear, they are hijacking our collective nervous system. This is not politics as usual — it is sustained psychological assault on a nation.
We Are Not Helpless
Authoritarianism feeds on apathy, exhaustion, and disconnection. Our response must be deliberate, connected, and relentless. Here’s how we counter it:
Tell the Truth Loudly – Share verified facts. Name the tactics. Don’t let lies metastasize unchallenged.
Protect Public Spaces for Dissent – The Peace Vigil belongs to all of us. Support the people who keep it going.
Anchor in Community – Authoritarianism isolates; connection heals. Talk to your neighbors. Join local action groups.
Refuse the Nervous System Hijack – Pause. Breathe. Act from clarity, not fear.
Where to Plug In Right Now
Here are organizations with a proven track record in defending democracy, protecting dissent, and mobilizing people:
Brennan Center for Justice – Legal research and policy advocacy to protect voting rights and strengthen democracy.
Protect Democracy – Nonpartisan group fighting authoritarianism and safeguarding democratic institutions.
Indivisible – Grassroots network empowering local groups to influence elected officials and resist authoritarian policies.
Common Cause – Longstanding watchdog organization advocating for free and fair elections, ethics, and accountability.
League of Women Voters – Nonpartisan civic organization promoting informed voter participation and protecting voting rights.
PEN America – Defends free expression and fights censorship in the U.S. and globally.
Democracy Docket – Focused on legal battles and news about voting rights and election litigation.
MoveOn – Mobilizes millions for progressive policies, civic engagement, and resistance campaigns.
The Call
We are living in a moment where silence is complicity. Every time we look away, the space for resistance shrinks.
If you believe in belonging, justice, and care, now is the time to show it. Not when it’s convenient. Not when it’s safe. Now.
Sign petitions. Call your representatives. Protect the spaces and people who speak truth to power.
Because this is how authoritarianism works — and this is how we stop it.
In solidarity and in truth,
Mary
"Because democracy is not self-sustaining—it lives only if we do."
P.S. Authoritarianism counts on our exhaustion and silence. Don’t give it either.
Download the Democracy Action Resourceand take your place in the defense of freedom—today.
