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“There is no such thing as a fact concerning an empirical observation.” – Dr. W. Edwards Deming
I was a management and leadership consultant for 30 years and often, as part of my responsibilities, I often helped resolve conflicts between people and departments. In my experience, the causes of these conflicts were most often rooted in the failure to agree on basic definitions. This is the wisdom of Dr. W. Edwards Deming often called the “father of quality”. As part of his Theory of Profound Knowledge, Deming insisted “There is no true value of any characteristic, state, or condition that is defined in terms of measurement or observation.” (Chapman, 2021)
This requires a clear operational definition for optimum communication and full cooperation. This definition includes a clear understanding of 1) what is being measured and 2) a clear method of measurement. All relevant parties must agree on both to avoid conflicts, optimize communication, and build trusting relationships.
The political left and right have adopted completely different methods for measuring fascism. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “Fascism is: a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascista) that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition.” These different methods cause a communication breakdown and a barrier to cooperation.
No Kings Protest
On October 18th, 2025, the political left will participate in a “No Kings” protest. This protest is about “Peacefully Protesting a False King”. The protesters assert Trump is behaving like a king and fascist authoritarian. They offer the following examples. Trump is:
· Having Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) Agents removing people (US citizens) from our streets.
· Prosecuting his political opponents.
· Coordinating attacks on free speech.
· Sending the military into our cities.
· Purposely shutting down the Government to gain power.
The political Left and the Trump administration are using completely different methods of measuring fascist behaviors within these events. Here are the contrasting methods. Which do you believe are true?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) Agents are removing people from our streets.
The left claims:
I.C.E. agents are purposely and unlawfully removing and arresting citizens, not just criminals. This certainly sounds like authoritarian fascism.
The Trump administration claims:
DHS enforcement operations are highly focused on arresting only criminals and mainly who are illegally in the country. I.C.E. avoids arresting and detaining U.S. citizens. “Any U.S. Citizens arrested are because of obstructing or assaulting law enforcement.” If I.C.E. is solely focusing on arresting and deporting only those who have committed crimes, does this fit the definition of fascism?
Prosecuting his political opponents.
The left claims:
The indictments of and accusations against James Comey, Leticia James, and John Bolton are retribution for the attacks they perpetrated on Trump.
The Trump administration claims:
A grand jury indicted James Comey for lying to Congress while under oath. His lawyers are asking for a dismissal of the case. Is this because a jury trial will likely bring a guilty verdict?
Comey, James, and Bolton all have strong evidence showing they broke the law. If no one is above the law, does the act of charging those who break laws fit the definition of fascist authoritarian? Leticia James centered her election campaign on targeting Trump. (Rodriguez, 2025) Isn’t this “forcible suppression of opposition”?
When someone questions your motives instead of addressing your argument, they’re using a red herring to distract from the issue because they can’t refute your position directly. Comey, James, or Bolton are all questioning the administration’s motives. The legal system will reveal guilt or innocence for these three.
Coordinating attacks on free speech.
The left claims:
Jimmy Kimmel was denied his first amendment rights and was targeted by Trump for comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s murder and Charlie Kirk’s murderer. The left is claiming his suspension was an attack on free speech.
The Trump administration claims:
Jimmy Kimmel’s show was suspended by Disney and Sinclair because of a statement he made about Charlie Kirk’s alleged murderer. His statement was inconsistent with their policies. President Trump and MAGA, who had nothing to do with the decision, became the scapegoat.
Organizations are responsible for growing shareholder value. One way to do that is to protect the brand image of the organization. It was a business decision to suspend a show that was losing money, damaging credibility of the owner organizations, while the show’s main talent was breaking company policy. Does this decision really fit the definition of fascist authoritarian?
A Judiciary Committee report provided evidence of how the Biden administration coerced big tech companies to censor Americans. There is no evidence the Trump administration did anything like this.
In Kimmel’s case, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair, Brendan Carr, caused some pressure on Disney because the FCC is responsible for the quality of communication on public airwaves where Kimmel’s show airs. There is no evidence of anything like censorship. Censorship is a strategy of a fascist (forcible suppression of opposition).
Trump was censored when his Facebook and X.com (then Twitter) accounts were cancelled. The left also attempted to remove Trump from state ballots during the 2024 election. Isn’t this forcible suppression of opposition?
Sending the military into our cities.
The left claims:
President Trump is purposely overstepping his presidential powers by implementing an unlawful “aggressive immigration crackdown”. This theory is motivating protestors in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, to participate in standoffs with I.C.E. Agents. Some on the left claim “…if you look like a Latino, You’re a target…”
These questions about I.C.E. methods and motivations fan the flames of protesters. The left’s propaganda is coloring Trump’s actions and I.C.E. actions as unlawful fascist authoritarianism.
The Trump administration claims:
The use of the National Guard in D.C. under Section 740 of the Home Rule Act. This act permits the use of the National Guard during a declared emergency which Trump declared for D.C. in August. Attacks on I.C.E. in other cities have spiked 1,000%. Rioters are illegally doxxing I.C.E. Agents and Federal Law Enforcement.
I.C.E. is enforcing the laws of the land and following directions from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) including defending against the violence. Does keeping the deportation promises of the 2024 election, enforcing immigration laws and defending I.C.E. agents against violence fit the definition of fascist authoritarianism?
Purposely shutting the Government to gain power.
The left claims:
Republicans are responsible for shutting down the government on October 1, 2025. They point out that Republicans control the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. They also claim Republicans want to consolidate power and decimate healthcare for 20 million citizens. This certainly creates the impression of fascism and authoritarianism.
The Trump administration claims:
The Continuing Resolution (CR) passed by the House of Representatives will fund the Government at a level consistent with what the Biden administration had previously supported. Furthermore, the current democrat demands, which are preventing the passage of the CR, are reversals of the government fraud and waste eliminated in the “Big Beautiful Bill” legally passed and signed in July 2025.
Furthermore, Republicans have stated their willingness to negotiate healthcare policy. The reason healthcare premiums are increasing is because Obamacare (Affordable Care Act or ACA) is imploding and its subsidies are expiring. The Democrats passed ACA with zero Republican votes in March 2010. The Democrats own the implosion.
In 2017 the Trump administration unsuccessfully attempted to repeal and replace ACA. (Singh, 2024) How is this approach by the administration fascist authoritarianism?
As part of Covid-19 plandemic, the Biden administration expanded eligibility for ACA subsidies increasing financial assistance for lower income citizens (ARPA). These subsidies are expiring now and so premiums are increasing. Covid-19 is over. Democrats are questioning the motives of the Trump administration without clarification of these details. When someone questions your motives instead of addressing your argument, they’re using a red herring to distract. This is propaganda by the Democrats. Fascists use propaganda.
Summary
Merriam-Webster defines propaganda as “the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.” History confirms fascist authoritarians lean on propaganda to grow their power. Is it therefore fair to say the existence of propaganda is evidence of fascist authoritarianism? Which party is using propaganda?
Is it fair to say that Republicans and Democrats could have valuable policy debates that could benefit the American people if they just agreed on the same method of measuring fascism? It sounds simple to agree on a method. And it’s clearly not easy to put politics and propaganda aside when so much power is at stake.
The Democrats actions suggest they want more citizens dependent on the government. In my opinion, this strategy is evil, not compassionate.
Which party is behaving like fascist authoritarians? Will the real fascists please step forward?
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