I believe the U.S. is in the throes of a constitutional coup, the seizure of power through exploitation of loopholes in the Constitution. Using the Project 2025 blueprint, democracy is being dismantled and replaced by an oligarchy composed of billionaires.

First, we get the chaos created by a flurry of 36 executive orders on day one. Then, instead of keeping campaign promises with regard to the economy, we witness the dismantling of the very institutions that serve the American people and keep us safe. Government departments, including Education, Health and Human Services, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, etc., are hobbled by mass firings of federal employees.

That done, the oligarchy must ensure there is no oversight of its unfettered access to U.S. resources. Easily accomplished: Get rid of 18 inspectors general charged with weeding out waste, fraud and abuse.

Why would the American people allow this? By labeling federal agencies as the “deep state,” Trump and his billionaire junta have convinced a large portion of the American people that the civil servants who keep the government running are, in fact, the enemy. This is called deflecting, avoiding criticism by shifting focus to someone else. It’s also called gaslighting or simply lying, a dubious skill Trump has honed to a fine art. After all, it got him the presidency once again despite 34 felony convictions.

William Plumlee

Ligonier Township

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