Long-form analysis on tabletop RPGs, video games, sports, politics, and movies
Is Donald Trump a Fascist? Yes and No Yes it’s a provocative question, and it can sound inflammatory. But instead of asking if the United States is a fascist state—which it is not—a better question is whether Donald Trump, based on his words, actions, and use of power, has behaved in ways that match key … Read more
Testing Constraints: Executive Power First, Constitutional Limits Later See my companion analysis: “Presidential Conflicts of Interest“ Let’s take a look at constitutional limits on executive power. Since late 2024, executive action across four constitutionally distinct domains: foreign policy, constitutional text, separation of powers, and domestic enforcement has followed a consistent pattern: legal and institutional constraints … Read more
Presidential Conflicts of Interest: How Preventive Safeguards Failed in Trump’s Second Term Last substantively updated: October 17, 2026 Oversight systems intended to prevent presidential conflicts of interest now act only after transactions close, rather than beforehand. In President Donald Trump’s second term, this shift created a recurring pattern: regulatory pressure decreased, private actors gained access … Read more
Trump’s Intervention in Venezuela: Law Enforcement or War? Last substantively updated: October 17, 2026 President Trump has said the United States will “run the country” in Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition,” and that Venezuela’s oil sector will be opened to American companies, with U.S. firms prioritized in future production. The administration describes … Read more