Tyranny Expert Identifies Democrats’ Big Weakness In Opposing Trump

Yale history professor and authoritarianism expert Timothy Snyder on Tuesday highlighted what he believes is a key weakness in Democratic opposition to President Donald Trump — but also pointed to signs of hope.

Speaking with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Snyder noted there are “too few Democrats who are articulate in describing the world as it actually is unfolding before our eyes.”

There “are a few who are doing an excellent job,” he admitted, though he did not name specific figures.

However, Snyder then emphasized the strength of “creative local” grassroots opposition across the country. “Probably more than we see, because, unfortunately, we don’t have enough local reporters to cover it properly,” he said.

Snyder predicted that in coming months the two forces — grassroots activism and emboldened political figures — slowly will converge “as these creative protests create platforms for the more adventurous and charismatic politicians.”

Maddow asked about the impact of such opposition.

Snyder stressed its importance in preventing the normalization of undemocratic actions.

“When strange things happen and nobody reacts, then everybody normalizes,” he said. “But if strange things happen and a few people react, or even more than a few people react, then people can say, ‘Yeah, maybe I wouldn’t protest myself, but this sure is a strange thing that’s happening.’ And then when another strange thing happens, they might actually protest.”

“So getting out there, showing your face, being with other people, being creative, making up slogans and signs, all of that is really important because it arrests people’s imagination,” he added. “It helps them stop and think and say, ‘Wait, this is in fact strange because other people think it’s strange. And maybe next time I’ll join in.’”

Watch the interview here: