Concerns about a plan to undermine democracy are at the forefront of discussions, as Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.) expressed on social media that President-elect Trump’s intentions are manifesting. Murphy highlighted in a detailed thread on X that these actions are “happening right in front of our eyes” and have so much “accelerated rapidly” in recent days.
He questioned, “Can I take a minute to connect the dots – on how Trump is putting into action a plan to cripple our democracy in a way we may never recover from?” This remark was in response to a post from the Committee on House Administration’s Oversight Subcommittee that recommended a criminal investigation into former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who was involved in the House inquiry into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Sen. Murphy warns of escalating threats to democracy under Trump
Murphy asserted that Trump’s rhetoric about Democrats being the biggest threat to America needing action from law enforcement and the military is becoming a reality. He noted that the House Republicans’ recent referral of Cheney for criminal prosecution, based on fabricated charges, illustrates this scheme.
As Trump prepares to assume office once again, worries about his potential to prosecute political adversaries have intensified. The president-elect has previously stated that members of the January 6 committee should “go to jail” for their investigations into his actions during the riot.
The senator raised concerns about who would defend Cheney and others targeted by Trump. He expressed doubt that Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist nominated to lead the FBI, would intervene on their behalf.
“Kash Patel was selected to lead the FBI BECAUSE he wants to prosecute Trump’s opponents,” Murphy explained. He added that the courts may not protect these individuals, as the Department of Justice can “handpick a jurisdiction” with a Trump-aligned judge to handle these cases.
While not every Trump opponent may capitulate, many might feel compelled to do so, Murphy argued. “If you have a family at home, are you really going to stand up to Trump if there’s a chance you could end up in jail?” he posted, emphasizing that history demonstrates how selective prosecution can deter opposition.
Additionally, Murphy addressed Trump’s ongoing legal conflicts with the media. The president-elect initiated a lawsuit on Tuesday against The Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer over a pre-election survey indicating he was trailing Vice President Harris in Iowa.
Murphy expressed disbelief that Trump would resort to legal action simply because he disagreed with the poll results, stating that “we shouldn’t pretend this is normal.” Recently, Trump also reached a $15 million settlement with ABC News regarding a defamation lawsuit related to anchor George Stephanopoulos’ claim that Trump had been found liable for ra*pe.
Although a jury determined that Trump se*xually abused and defamed writer E. Jean Carroll, they did not find him liable for ra*pe. This settlement has faced scrutiny and criticism. Murphy pointed out The Washington Post’s controversial decision not to endorse a candidate in the 2024 election.
The senator mentioned that Trump has suggested he would leverage the Federal Election Commission to intimidate news organizations. According to Murphy, media companies have already demonstrated a “reluctance to put up a fight” against Trump.
“Is there a chance this is all show and bluster? Maybe, but the developments of just the last few days – ABC’s bogus settlement, the referral of Cheney for prosecution, Trump’s suit against the Register – all point to this being very, very real,” Murphy concluded.
