Stephen Miller exploded in a long, unhinged rant about demonstrators who are protesting President Trump’s military occupation of Washington, D.C. It was classic authoritarian agitprop, attacking demonstrators as “Communists” who are secretly trying to make the city more dangerous to its salt-of-the-earth working-class residents. Ominously flanked by the defense secretary and members of the military, he threatened to respond with more troops. But we think this is really an expression of weakness. Trump and Miller were certain that a latent majority is prepared to rally to authoritarian rule. But poll after poll shows voters rebelling. Miller’s hubris has become a major vulnerability. We talked to New Republic staff writer Monica Potts, author of a great new piece analyzing Trump’s long-term game plan. She explains how Trump is consolidating power right before our eyes, why Democrats need to stop calling this a “distraction,” and how the opposition should proceed, secure in the knowledge that the public is not with Trump. Listen to this episode here. A transcript is here.
PODCAST
Stephen Miller Erupts in Manic Fascist Rant—and Reveals a Big Weakness
As Miller unleashes a wild tirade about Trump’s D.C. takeover, a sharp observer of his military occupations explains how he’s ominously consolidating power right before our eyes—and how Dems must fight back.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller in Washington, D.C., on July 22