Let’s take a short walk down the path of history to the year 1933. On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany. Within 60 days Germany had passed the Enabling Act, formally known as the “Law to Remedy the Distress of the People and the Reich,“(English 2 page pdf) which was a linchpin piece of legislation in Nazi Germany. Passed on March 23, 1933, the Act essentially dismantled the democratic framework of the Weimar Republic and granted Adolf Hitler, then Chancellor of Germany, dictatorial powers. This Act allowed Hitler’s government to issue laws without the consent of the Reichstag, effectively sidelining the legislative body and paving the way for totalitarian rule.
Let’s fast-forward to 2025 in the United States and draw parallels to the 1933 Enabling Act. The establishment of DOGE and the apparent grant of ex-governmental authority to Elon Musk should prompt us all to pause and comprehend the potential risks to democratic institutions. The political landscape in the U.S. today is fraught with polarization, misinformation, and a false narrative that organizations such as the United States Agency for International Development and the crucial work the agency performs are serving to feed and foment a distrust of governmental institutions. While the circumstances are different, the strategies and tactics employed by political leaders to consolidate power show disturbing similarities.
1933 – Enabling Act
The Enabling Act was introduced in the wake of the Reichstag fire on February 27, 1933, an event that the Nazis exploited to claim that Germany was under the threat of communist insurrection. By capitalizing on public fear and the perceived need for strong, centralized authority, Hitler persuaded the Reichstag to pass the Act with a two-thirds majority, even though the vote was manipulated and conducted under coercive conditions. This law marked the beginning of the Nazi dictatorship, leading to the suppression of political opposition, the persecution of minorities, and the establishment of a regime characterized by extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and militarism.
2025 parallels to the Enabling Act
One of the most significant parallels lies in the exploitation of crises. In Germany, the Reichstag fire served as a catalyst for the Enabling Act. In the U.S., the MAGA political leaders exploit emergencies such as natural disasters and even public health crises to justify the expansion of executive powers. The Trump administration is setting the table. To invoke national security or public safety, so they may push for laws that curtail civil liberties, increase surveillance, or bypass legislative oversight.
Take, for example, the order to modify the publicly available health information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC – which has a banner on their site which reads “CDC’s website is being modified to comply with President Trump’s Executive Orders.) The action to limit health information will no doubt cause an uptick in illness and the spread of various infections, as common as the flu or as complex as Covid (which remains at alarmingly high rates of infection across the nation) or the Bird Flu.
Another example is the attempt to engage in Wolf Diplomacy. No doubt the administration has seen it exercised by China as it engages in an assertive and combative approach to international relations. This style of diplomacy involves Chinese diplomats publicly denouncing perceived criticism of the Chinese government and engaging in confrontational rhetoric on social media and in interviews. Need examples? How does President Trump characterize Canada, Panama, Colombia, Denmark (Greenland), and Mexico?
Wait, there is more.
Another concerning parallel is the erosion of checks and balances. In Nazi Germany, the Enabling Act effectively removed the Reichstag’s ability to check Hitler’s power. In the U.S., there is a growing trend of executive orders and actions that circumvent Congress, weakening the balance of power. If unchecked, this could lead to an overconcentration of power in the executive branch, undermining the principles of democratic governance.
And still more
Moreover, the use of propaganda and control over media to manipulate public opinion was a hallmark of the Nazi regime. The climate in the United States has seen a rise of partisan media outlets, and the spread of disinformation on social media platforms creates an environment where truth becomes malleable, and public opinion can be easily swayed. This can facilitate the acceptance of authoritarian measures by a populace conditioned to distrust traditional sources of information.
Have you seen the adjustment to the “briefing room” presence in the Department of Defense, the call for bloggers and influencers to apply for accreditation at the White House (thousands did so), and the removal of mainstream media, the fourth estate that at one time we counted on to hold the elected and governing officials accountable? When the President of the United States sues media and media rushes to settle, it serves to quell any opposing views.
Political Dissent?
Lastly, the suppression of political dissent is a critical aspect to consider. In Germany, the Enabling Act led to the persecution of political opponents and the establishment of a single-party state. In the U.S., while the political system remains multiparty, there are increasing instances of efforts to stifle opposition through gerrymandering, voter suppression, and legal actions against political adversaries.
The historical and political contexts of 1933 Germany and 2025 United States provide us with parallels in the methods of power consolidation, and the potential erosion of democratic norms demands examination.
A democracy requires constant vigilance and active participation to prevent the rise of authoritarianism. You have a voice; use it. Engage your elected officials regardless of power and demonstrate this artificial mandate to move to an authoritarian state does not exist. To ensure they understand Project 2025 and how the bevy of executive orders emitting from the White House parallel their playbook.
We do not need an Enabling Act political maneuver in the United States.
