This is how it begins.

One of the first things a fascist will do once in power is begin to consolidate that power. Because without this consolidation he cannot last very long. He will do so by offering a punishment or a reward to those he is trying to recruit. Punishment can range from the loss of a job to physical violence. Reward will be power and money.

You can already see this happening, even before Trump takes office. Of particular concern is the Executive Branch's control over the military. Military members are taught to obey orders with one exception. If an order is unlawful, then it can be refused. Sounds simple enough doesn't it. Trump issues an unlawful order to use the military to put down a peaceful protest against him. The senior officers can refuse to obey it under the principal that it is unlawful. The military cannot be used as a police force against the American people.

What happens next. Trump will fire those who refuse to obey the unlawful order. This is the punishment for disobedience. The next in line will probably do the same and they will get fired as well. This will go on until he finds someone, through rewards such as a new rank or money under the table, to do his bidding. Unfortunately, a great number of junior enlisted will go along with it because they have not been educated as to what actually constitutes an unlawful order. They will obey not because of some nefarious intent but because they don't know any better.

The result is a police state run by the military, just like in any fascist government. But wait you say, Congress holds the purse strings. True but how many MAGA loyalists are now in congress? Even if they did choose to defund the military, there is enough money already allocated for the military to continue to operate until Trump can eliminate or corrupt enough greedy politicians to go along with it.

This is unfortunately an all to real threat. MAGA has already circulated a list of officers they want Trump to fire. The purge has begun. I only hope that enough freedom loving Americans stand up. We have the power if we act collectively. If not voices like mine will be silenced through incarceration or worse and we will all suffer. It won't matter who you voted for in the long run. Your rights will be gone just like those who resist.