Coup

The Dangerous Misunderstanding of America's History of Mob Action

by Stefan Lund

Contrary to the protestations of January 6th apologists, mob action in America has usually worked to suppress, rather than defend, democracy.

Timothy Snyder's Dire Speculations on the Next Trumpist Coup

The worst-case scenario for 2024 is pretty bad, according to the Yale historian of European fascism.

Meacham, Goodwin: Threat to Democracy is Dire

“We have to retell the story of what happened on January 6, with all of the gaps filled in,” Goodwin said. “And I do believe that a line will be drawn.”

Never-Trumpers Keep Insisting that Reaganism Was Not Demagoguery--It Was

by Claire Potter

Robert Kagan's assessment of the risks of a presidential coup in 2024 is strangely silent on the role of his own neoconservative faction in mobilizing grievance politics, and uses poor historical reasoning to try to rescue the Republican Party from association with Trumpism. 

Yes, It Was a Coup. Here’s Why

Former Trump National Security Council staffer Fiona Hill says the events of January 6, in the context of Trump's refusal to accept the election results, meet the practical standard of a coup. 

A Year Later: Our Tattered and Fragile Democracy

by James D. Zirin

American political institutions face a crisis: can they defend themselves against a growing movement that will deploy violence to achieve its goals, or will January 6 become the new normal? 

What the History of Coups Tells Us about Trump’s Refusal to Concede

by Federico Finchelstein

The history of dictators in Latin America over the past century suggests the need to take this dangerous moment seriously.

Was This a Coup Attempt?

by HNN Staff

On January 6, Trump told a rally of supporters the election had been stolen and encouraged them to go to the Capitol. A mob then stormed the building, temporarily disrupting the verification of the Electoral College vote count. Historians discuss how serious the danger to democracy was and the possible consequences. 

When white supremacists overthrew a government

by Ranjani Chakraborty

The hidden history of a North Carolina coup.

The grim history that Brazil’s president wants to celebrate

Last week, it emerged that the Brazilian president had ordered the country’s Defense Ministry to “carry out appropriate commemorations related to March 31, 1964.” 

Zimbabwe: Of Course, It’s a Coup

by Munya B. Munochiveyi

Robert Mugabe has effectively been neutralized by military brass who felt threatened by his recent decision to fire the vice president.