Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Watch: Stacey Abrams on Trump's Authoritarian Playbook and How We Fight Back

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Watch: Stacey Abrams on Trump's Authoritarian Playbook and How We Fight Back

The new executive order to take over elections.

Rights & Insights, Stacey Abrams, and Max Flugrath

Aug 19

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We just hosted a live conversation with Stacey Abrams about the threats to our democracy – and what we can do to stop them.

The conversation touched on Trump’s expected new executive order that attempts to take over elections, the far-right attacks on voting rights, and how these fit into a larger framework of authoritarianism.

The Executive Order, Explained

Yesterday, Donald Trump announced an upcoming, sweeping executive order (EO) in an attempt to take over American elections and weaponize the federal government to do it.

What the “Executive Order” Press Release Is Expected to Cover

Lies about the security of mail voting, saying it must be eliminated
Possible rhetoric about getting rid of early voting
Changes to voting machines also based on lies and disinformation
New types of federal control: MAGA oversight on elections, trying to strip away states’ powers to run their elections

All of this likely violates the Constitution. Trump’s EO is a direct attack on our freedom to vote, which is the foundation of our other freedoms.

But think about this EO as an angry press release – the president does not have this kind of power over elections. The courts will likely shut down all or most of this. But Trump’s rhetoric, bullying, and lies are deeply damaging.

Jump to Key Moments

Here’s a short guide to help you explore the conversation:

~1:25 — Trump’s Executive Order to seize control of elections and eliminate mail voting
~2:00 — Stacey breaks down the 10 Steps to Authoritarianism playbook
~10:40 — Mid-decade redistricting in Texas and the threat of rigging the 2026 midterms
~16:00 — How to connect the dots: why this isn’t a series of isolated events, but a coordinated authoritarian strategy
~20:00 — What you can do: from fighting voter purges to focusing on one step of the authoritarian playbook

Stay Connected

For more conversations like this, subscribe to Rights & Insights. We’ll help you connect the dots between voter suppression, authoritarian tactics, and the far-right’s plans to take over elections. Our goal is simple: give you the knowledge and tools to fight back.