America has always, even on its better days, had an illiberal strain, as brilliantly elucidated in the recent book by Stephen Hahn: Illiberal America: A History. But the present assault, orchestrated by Trump and MAGA, on the political and social foundations of the U.S. goes beyond “illiberal.” It has many of the markings of a neofascist regime. Some may think otherwise, and they may well be right. In any case, most would agree that the present administration is aggressively white supremacist, hyper nationalist, xenophobic to the extreme, christian fundamentalist, and authoritarian in its pedigree. It seems hardly debatable that Trump and the MAGA movement fall outside of the “bourgeois democratic” boundaries of U.S. politics.

Moreover, this political juggernaut, led by an unstable, demagogic strongman, will retreat, in the first place, only under the sustained pressure of diverse and coordinated actions of a broadly based coalition of actors and organizations — including the Democratic Party.

Currently, such a front is in its early stage of formation, evidenced by the many actions in far flung parts of the country, not least the nation’s capital. It will only grow in size, depth, and understanding.