When Loyalty Becomes a Trap and the Fire Burns Everyone
If they suspend habeas corpus—even for a moment—people will be hurt. Not just perceived enemies. MAGA supporters. Their kids. Their friends. Their neighbors. Everyone.
That thought is stuck in my head like a broken record (translation for the youngsters).
The Trump administration is floating the idea of suspending habeas corpus—a constitutional protection that predates the United States. This isn't a negotiation tactic—it's a switch. Once flipped, they can jail anyone indefinitely: no hearing, no charges, no right to know why.
Throughout history, emperors, kings, czars, and pharaohs wielded this kind of power. Today, I thought it existed only in the hands of authoritarian leaders.
I cannot understand why those who would suffer most continue to cheer—even when they know it would harm them. How does this happen? Why would anyone choose this fate?
The Story Feels More Real Than Reality
People aren't just following a leader—they're inhabiting a narrative that the system is rigged, the media lies, and the deep state is out to destroy their savior, Donald J. Trump.
In this narrative, suspending civil rights isn't tyranny—it's righteous vengeance. It's justice served cold.
But such unchecked power isn't precise—it's a sledgehammer that shatters everything in its path. When wielded, it leaves destruction in its wake.
Trauma Bonds and the Seduction of the Strongman
You don't cheer for chaos unless you've already been broken. People have lost jobs, homes, and health. They've watched their children struggle. They've been lied to and left behind. Trump didn't offer healing—he brought an axe to grind.
"You've been hurt? Good. Let's smash shit. Let's burn it fucking down!"
And in that trauma bond, the more pain he causes, the more they believe he's feeling it for them.
Sunk Costs and the Fear of Being Wrong
Imagine realizing that after 10 years of loyalty, you alienated your family, you spread lies and rumors, and you cheered as they took from you and your community.
That's not just a quick apology—that's a meltdown. So they double down, not because they don't see the truth, but because it would hurt too much to say:
"I was wrong. I helped break what I loved."
The Chance to Be On the Winning Side
Some believe "it will happen to others, not to me." History proves this wrong many times over.
Suspending habeas corpus doesn't check your hat color (unless maybe your favorite NBA team is the Chicago Bulls). It doesn't ask who you voted for. When that door slams shut, it doesn't care if you were MAGA or not—it only matters that you're disposable to those who gave the order.
Shame as a Prison
Trump does not trap our neighbors, family, and friends. They’re trapped by shame.
The moment they do see the truth is the moment they fear they’ll be cast out, humiliated, mocked. So we need to give them something stronger than shame.
We need to give them a way back.
Reason For Optimism
Authoritarianism only works when we are isolated. But we are not alone.
Across this country, people are waking up. Veterans, mothers, pastors, and students who once cheered the chaos are now asking, “What the hell did I help build?”
And that’s the crack in the dam. This has happened before in other nations and in our own lives. When people remember their power, hate doesn’t win.
Call to Action
Here's what we need to do:
Talk, tell your stories. Share with courage and honesty, not hate. Show them they're worth more than their shame.
Stand with the oppressed. Speak out against injustice because it's right, not because it's trending.
Build something beautiful in public. Help people envision a world built on dignity, truth, and care. Show not just what we're fighting against, but what we're building together.
Be mindful. They aim to exhaust us—that's their strategy. But our persistence, our daily act of showing up? That's revolutionary.