Question Everything with Brian Reed He quit journalism to fight authoritarianism. How’s that going?
Apr 3, 2025
Barton Gellman, a legendary investigative reporter and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, now fights against authoritarianism at the Brennan Center for Justice. He shares insights from war games with military leaders about handling a second Trump term. The discussion delves into the legal tensions surrounding presidential defiance of court orders, the serious consequences of federal budget cuts, and the critical role of public activism in safeguarding democracy. Gellman also critiques media coverage and the implications of potential unconstitutional ambitions.
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Real-World Authoritarianism
- The Trump administration is taking authoritarian actions like abducting international students and deporting immigrants without due process.
- These actions mirror scenarios Barton Gellman prepared for in war games.
Trump's Tactics
- Trump is weaponizing government agencies against political enemies, exceeding some war game predictions.
- He targets law firms representing his opponents, forcing them into submission through illegal means.
War Game on Court Order Disobedience
- Barton Gellman recently participated in another war game exercise focused on Trump disobeying court orders.
- The exercise explored scenarios involving immigration and due process, mirroring current events.