Key Takeaways
• Modern politicians are echoing Carl Schmitt’s old ideas to grab unchecked power.
• They break rules, label opponents as enemies, and create “emergencies” to ignore laws.
• JD Vance has openly referenced Carl Schmitt, showing this influence is real.
• Understanding these tactics helps citizens defend democracy and speak out.
Trump’s Plan Mirrors Carl Schmitt’s Power Play
You’ve probably heard about democracy’s messy debates and slow lawmaking. Yet some leaders prefer quick power grabs. Surprisingly, they’re following ideas from Carl Schmitt, a German jurist whose work helped fuel the Nazi rise. Today, Donald Trump and his allies use Schmitt’s tactics to ignore rules, divide Americans, and claim emergency powers. Here’s how it works—and why it matters.
Key Carl Schmitt Ideas in Modern Politics
Carl Schmitt argued that democracy’s legal checks slow down true will. Instead, he said:
• “There is no law, there is just power.” A strong leader transgresses rules to reflect the people’s desires.
• Politics splits the world into friends and enemies. Allies get rewards; opponents face harsh punishment.
• Leaders can invoke an “emergency” to bypass constitutions and rule by decree.
Today, Trump, JD Vance, Kristi Noem, and Pam Bondi use these steps almost exactly as Schmitt described. JD Vance even said Schmitt taught “There’s no law, there’s just power.”
Breaking Rules to Gain Power
First, Schmitt taught that a true leader ignores rules. Instead of following laws, he said, a ruler uses raw power. In practice, Trump has flouted norms and laws:
• He violated the Hatch Act by selling Teslas in front of the White House.
• He allegedly sold pardons and targeted civilians on the seas.
• He took bribes in a jet plane and offered high-tech chips to foreign nations for crypto investments.
By breaking promises and refusing compromise, he paints the political process as weak. Then he claims only he can fix the mess.
Friend-Enemy Divide
Second, Schmitt’s “friend-enemy” theory splits everyone into two camps. Friends get praise, money, and power. Enemies face public attacks, lawsuits, or worse. Trump and his loyalists use this tactic:
• Pam Bondi, despite past scandals, is treated as a hero.
• Critics like James Comey and James Clapper are labeled traitors.
• GOP figures who cross him are punished or ignored.
This clear division stirs anger on both sides. It also makes compromise nearly impossible.
Creating Emergency to Ignore Laws
Third, Schmitt said rulers can invent or exploit emergencies to suspend normal laws. In 1933, Hitler used the Reichstag Fire to grab power. Today, Trump talks about invoking the Insurrection Act to override state and federal checks. His four-step plan, described by Robert Reich, goes like this:
1) Deploy federal forces in Democratic cities with harsh tactics.
2) Stir up protests and provoke violence.
3) Send in more troops to justify arrests and live ammunition.
4) Claim an insurrection and suspend parts of the Constitution.
By calling a situation an emergency, leaders can claim they must act outside the rules to protect the nation.
Real-World Moves by Trump and Allies
You don’t need legal background to spot the pattern. Here are some key examples:
• Russ Douthat’s interview with JD Vance revealed direct quotes from Carl Schmitt.
• Peter Thiel, Vance’s backer, reportedly studies Schmitt’s work closely.
• Kristi Noem and Trump staged provocative raids on Portland, hoping to spark violence. When protests stayed peaceful, they blamed “anarchists.”
• Stephen Miller bragged about “plenary authority” under military law before CNN cut him off.
All these actions follow Schmitt’s playbook: ignore law, divide people, and seize emergency powers.
What Comes Next
In the coming months, Trump may test whether courts, governors, or state leaders will stop him. If protests turn violent, he could claim justification to invoke the Insurrection Act. Then the Supreme Court might back him, granting “plenary power” that no legal rival can challenge. Even our military commanders could face orders to enforce martial law.
Why It Matters
Most Americans never imagined a president would follow Nazi-era tactics. Yet these Schmitt-inspired steps threaten our checks and balances. Now more than ever, speaking out matters. Writing to representatives, voting, and joining peaceful protests helps defend democracy.
FAQs
How do Carl Schmitt’s ideas affect U.S. politics today?
His theories give a strategy: break laws, split citizens into friends and enemies, and use emergencies to override constitutions. Trump and his allies follow these steps.
What does “plenary power” mean?
Plenary power is total authority that no court or law can challenge. It lets a leader act by decree without checks.
Can a president legally use the Insurrection Act to seize elections?
The Insurrection Act lets a president deploy troops within the U.S. under certain conditions. It doesn’t permit canceling elections. Any such move would face massive legal and institutional resistance.
How can citizens push back against these tactics?
People can vote, speak to their elected officials, support independent media, and join peaceful demonstrations. Staying informed and engaged helps protect democracy.