In January, Timothy Rybeck wrote in The Atlantic, “Hitler systematically disabled and then dismantled his country’s democratic structures and processes in less than two months’ time—specifically, one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes.” It took Hitler 53 days in 1933 to dismantle Germany’s democratic government through constitutional means. Now, it’s Day 53 of Donald J. Trump’s second term as President.
Before the election, it had become clear to many that a second term would follow the roadmap laid out in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 Playbook. The Playbook lays out a plan to consolidate executive power in favor of right-wing policies, effectively turning our democracy into an authoritarian oligarchy—effectively privatizing the government.
It’s Day 53 today—let’s take a look at how the plan is unfolding.
On a brisk January morning in 2025, Donald J. Trump took the oath of office for the second time, smiling at a starkly divided America. Cheers erupted from a loyal base convinced he was their champion, while others stood mute—uneasy about what might come next. Within hours, it has become clear this presidency is unlike anything modern America has seen.
The afternoon brought a flurry of executive orders so rapid that legal experts and journalists could barely keep up. One order declared the southern border a “war zone,” complete with roving soldiers and sweeping deportations. Another resurrected “Schedule F,” allowing the White House to fire career civil servants and replace them with die-hard loyalists. In a polarizing nod to old promises, Trump pardoned hundreds of individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot—sending a loud message that if you stand by him, he will protect you.
Almost immediately, the administration moved to dismantle any checks on its power. Federal agencies now would operate under a new muzzle: an executive order banning them from cooperating with social media platforms to combat disinformation. Meanwhile, a high-profile probe into “Big Tech censorship” threatened punitive measures against companies that dare to moderate content.