Will Checks & Balances Survive?
June 17 isn’t just a court date. It’s a test of whether democracy still has guardrails.
June 17, 2025 may be one of the most important dates in modern history. Make no doubt about it. The people may have won in court yesterday but now we see where our nation is going via the decision from the federal courts. This is the last Checks & Balances stopgap that we have left. The Judiciary has the ability to decide if we will be going into Authoritarian Consolidation system
What is the Authoritarian Consolidation system?
It’s a system where the leader gradually dismantles democratic institutions, limits civil liberties and concentrates power until the opposition is silenced and the checks and balances are squashed. This is done by saying they are doing the things they are doing to impose law, order, and national security.
Characteristics:
Centralization of Power
Legislative Branch bows to Executive Branch
Erosion of Checks and Balances
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Suppression of Dissent
Militarized Enforcement
Legal Justification of Oppression
Manipulation of Elections
Weaponized Federal Agencies
This is not yet a dictatorship in and of itself. It can lead to it, but not quite there yet. Now, there might still be elections in the future, but just like other regimes, the opposer will probably die mysteriously or the courts will call the vote compromised. And just like before, many more excuses to delegitimize it. As we have seen with other leaders internationally.
Am I safe? You may ask yourself.
For today, yes. You are especially safe if you are a part of one of these groups:
Political Loyalists and enforcers
Corporations and donors aligned with the administration
Certain religious organizations
After June 17th, no, if you are a part of one of these groups:
Immigrants
Documented
Undocumented
Naturalized U.S. citizens
Green card holders
People with legal visas
Non-Anglo individuals
US citizens who “look” undocumented
Latino
African
Middle Eastern
Asian
Activists, journalists, and legal observers
State and local officials
Progressive organizers
Whistleblowers
Educators and academics
Communities in high-value zones
Water
Ports
Agriculture
Military presence
Protest hotspots
Illusions of Safety
Some may believe that they are safe because they support the administration, they are not politically active, and/or because they are U.S. citizens. That is an illusion. You are either being targeted now or will be in the near future.
Proximity to targeted individuals. Raids do not come with disclaimers.
You fit the profile.
You’re politically neutral or quiet.
You posted something (even this post).
You belong to a group they decide to target next.
The tactic in play right now is lead and redirect.
The signs are all very clear. Those that voted for this, especially the brown people, are getting exactly what they asked for. Indiscriminate arrest and jailing of people of color, regardless of their criminal background.
What can we do today?
Pay attention and find the truth in everything.
Change the tactic, don’t stop the fight.
Protect one another
Support the issue legally and politically.
Think about what election interference will look like.
Let’s not let this be the new normal.
Fear is something we all have, and it is grounded in truth. Let’s not give into it. Take the steps in the right direction. Strategy is the key. Don’t give them what they are looking for. If it was up to me, I would have said that the Saturday gathering should have remained hushed because they don’t care who is causing the violence. They need the photos and the videos that are being provided to show that “California is a mess” and that we need the “help” we never asked for.
June 17, 2025, is not just a legal dispute. No.
It is a freedom dispute.
So, instead of being mad at others, just be loving of others.
Everyone will suffer.