If Putin Were Trump: The Threat to America from Within

A Nation’s Security is in Peril Under Trump's Hand.

How to show people what Trump is doing? Contrast is used to exemplify his actions as if another more accepted enemy were doing it. Maybe, Putin?

If Vladimir Putin were to undertake actions similar to those attributed to President Trump since January 2025, an FBI counterterrorism assessment might highlight the following concerns:

Pardoning Individuals Involved in Domestic Extremism:

• Mass Pardons: Granting clemency to a large number of individuals convicted of participating in violent activities against governmental institutions could be perceived as endorsing or condoning extremist behavior. This may embolden domestic extremist groups, potentially leading to an uptick in recruitment and radicalization, thereby increasing the domestic terrorism threat.​

Reallocating Intelligence Resources:

• Surveillance Focus Shift: Redirecting national intelligence assets, such as spy satellites, to focus on domestic issues like border security could divert critical resources away from monitoring foreign terrorist organizations. This reallocation might create intelligence gaps, reducing the nation's ability to detect and prevent international terrorist plots.​

Appointments Influencing Justice Department Independence:

• Senior Justice Department Appointments: Appointing individuals with close personal or political ties to the executive branch to high-ranking positions within the Justice Department could undermine the perceived independence of federal law enforcement. This may lead to concerns about impartiality in prosecutorial decisions, particularly those related to counterterrorism investigations.​

Investigations into Domestic Law Enforcement Agencies:

• Probing Federal Agencies: Initiating investigations into agencies like the FBI, especially those focusing on prior counterterrorism efforts, could be seen as retaliatory or as an attempt to influence ongoing operations. Such actions might impact agent morale, hinder operational effectiveness, and deter the pursuit of current or future counterterrorism cases.​

Shifts in Foreign Policy Affecting Counterterrorism:

• Engagement in International Conflicts: Altering foreign policy stances, such as taking a more aggressive position in Middle Eastern conflicts, could have direct implications for counterterrorism. Such shifts might provoke retaliatory actions from terrorist organizations, increase the threat level against U.S. interests domestically and abroad, and complicate international counterterrorism collaborations.​

So, if Vladimir Putin engaged in these actions, an FBI counterterrorism report would likely express concerns about the potential for increased domestic extremist activities, diminished intelligence capabilities regarding foreign threats, compromised independence of justice institutions, and heightened risks stemming from abrupt foreign policy changes.


​To explain what Trump is doing in a way the general public can easily understand, it helps to break things down into clear, relatable points. Here’s how to frame it:

1. Trump Is Helping Violent Extremists Instead of Stopping Them

• He pardoned hundreds of people convicted for their roles in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

• Instead of treating them as criminals who attacked democracy, he's treating them like heroes—which could encourage future violence.

2. He’s Weakening the FBI’s Ability to Stop Domestic Terrorism

• Trump has fired or reassigned key FBI officials who investigated domestic extremists, making it harder to hold violent groups accountable.

• He’s shifting FBI resources away from tracking extremists and instead focusing on things like mass deportations.

3. He’s Appointing Personal Loyalists to the Justice Department

• Trump is stacking the Justice Department with people who have defended him in court, making it harder for federal law enforcement to act independently.

• This means investigations into criminal activity—including terrorism-related threats—could be compromised if they involve Trump or his allies.

4. He’s Weakening America’s Defenses Against Terrorism

• Trump is redirecting intelligence and law enforcement resources away from tracking foreign and domestic terrorist threats to focus on things like immigration crackdowns.

• That means fewer resources to track groups like Al-Qaeda or domestic militias that have already attacked U.S. targets.

5. He’s Making America More Vulnerable to Attacks

• By removing checks and balances that keep law enforcement and the military neutral, he’s making America’s security decisions political instead of strategic.

• This increases the risk of violent groups feeling emboldened—whether they’re foreign terrorists or homegrown extremists.

Why This Matters to You

• If a leader in another country—like Putin—did this, the U.S. would call it a national security crisis.

• These moves don’t make America safer—they make it easier for extremists to act without consequences.

By simplifying these ideas into clear, real-world effects, people can better understand how Trump’s actions are weakening national security and helping extremists instead of stopping them.

Shouldn't Trump be stopped?

We should argue, yes, if any leader—whether it's Trump, Putin, or someone else—was taking actions that weakened national security, emboldened extremists, and undermined the rule of law, they should be held to account. The problem is that the system designed to check presidential power has been compromised in key ways:

1. The Justice System Is Being Undermined

• Trump has stacked the DOJ with loyalists, meaning investigations into his actions are being slow-walked, buried, or blocked.

• He has weaponized pardons to erase legal consequences for people who committed political violence on his behalf.

2. Congress Is Too Divided to Act

• Republicans in Congress refuse to hold Trump accountable because they fear political backlash from his base.

• Even when he does things that threaten national security, they cover for him instead of challenging him.

3. The Courts Are Moving Too Slowly

• Trump’s legal battles—including efforts to hold him accountable for election interference, obstruction of justice, and mishandling classified documents—are dragging on while he continues changing the system to protect himself.

• He has packed courts with loyalists, ensuring legal challenges to his actions take years to resolve.

4. The Media and Public Perception Are Being Manipulated

• Right-wing media normalizes his actions and spreads disinformation to make his abuses seem justified.

• His supporters view any legal accountability as "political persecution", making it harder for institutions to act against him without public backlash.

How Should He Be Stopped?

1. Legal Accountability:

   • Independent prosecutors and state-level investigations (like those in Georgia and New York) must move swiftly before he consolidates more power.

2. Congressional Oversight:

   • Lawmakers must refuse to go along with Trump’s attempts to dismantle institutions and put pressure on agencies still enforcing the law.

3. Public Awareness & Action:

   • The public needs to understand the national security risks and put pressure on lawmakers, media, and institutions to act.

   • Protests, advocacy, and voting against enablers are critical to stopping him before irreversible damage is done.

The Bottom Line

If any leader was doing what Trump is doing, they would be labeled a national security threat. He should be stopped and held accountable—but that requires action from the courts, Congress, and the American people before he can consolidate more power.

If America had the political will to act decisively and prevent Trump from continuing his actions that threaten national security and democratic institutions, a series of significant steps would need to be taken immediately. These actions would involve a combination of legal, political, and institutional interference, with the goal of curbing his power and holding him accountable. Here’s what could be done today:

1. Immediate Legal Action to Hold Him Accountable:

• Criminal Indictments and Trials:

  • The DOJ and state prosecutors should move swiftly to bring criminal charges against Trump for his role in the January 6th insurrection, election interference, obstruction of justice, and mishandling classified documents. Given the urgency, a special counsel could be appointed to expedite the process and ensure impartiality.

  • Prosecutions should aim to remove him from any future position of power by convicting him of felonies that would bar him from running for office again under the 14th Amendment.

• Seizing His Assets:

  • In cases of financial corruption or ties to criminal enterprises, the government should seize assets connected to his illicit activities, sending a message that no one is above the law.

2. Immediate Congressional Action:

• Impeachment and Removal from Office:

  • If Trump were still in office, impeachment proceedings should be initiated immediately based on his violations of his oath of office, his role in fomenting insurrection, and his undermining of national security. Even if he were not in office, Congress should push for legislation that bars him from ever running again due to his actions.

  • Congressional hearings should also investigate the full extent of his actions, including his influence over federal agencies, attempts to obstruct investigations, and his undermining of counterterrorism efforts.

• Strengthen Oversight and Investigations:

  • Establish independent commissions to probe his connections to foreign governments and individuals with potentially hostile intent toward the U.S., including his dealings with Russia, and ensure accountability for possible espionage or sedition.

3. Reinforcing National Security Measures:

• Increase Protections for Law Enforcement:

  • Given the risk of political violence fueled by Trump’s rhetoric, federal agencies must protect their officers and investigations from interference. This includes securing independent investigations into any future domestic terror plots that might be inspired by his actions.

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI should be empowered to monitor and dismantle extremist networks that support Trump’s agenda, such as militias and domestic terror groups, that could escalate into violence.

4. Political Isolation and Public Accountability:

• Removing Trump’s Influence from the Political Stage:

  • His political enablers in Congress, particularly those who have aided and abetted his actions, should be publicly pressured to resign or face consequences. This could include voter-driven recalls or the disqualification of candidates who support Trump’s unlawful activities.

• Public Shaming and Exposure:

  • A full public expose should be conducted, shedding light on Trump’s involvement in everything from election fraud to covert international alliances that undermine U.S. security.

  • Media outlets should amplify credible investigations into his actions, especially his attempts to disrupt democracy and national security.

5. Restoring Trust in Institutions:

• Rebuild the Justice Department’s Independence:

  • To ensure no future president can wield undue influence over law enforcement, the Justice Department should be restructured to protect its independence from political interference. This includes reaffirming the independence of the FBI and other critical agencies and removing any political appointees who serve the interests of Trump’s agenda.

• Reforming the Electoral System:

  • Legislation must be passed to prevent future interference with elections. This should include measures to guarantee election security and vote-counting transparency, so that Trump’s type of election subversion cannot happen again.

6. Mobilizing the Public:

• Protests and Civil Disobedience:

  • If legal and political mechanisms are slow or obstructed, widespread protests and civil disobedience can draw attention to the threat Trump poses to American democracy. Public activism can apply pressure on both political leaders and institutions to take swift action.

• Mass Education Campaigns:

  • National campaigns should be launched to educate the public on the gravity of Trump’s actions, explaining the clear and present danger his behavior poses to the future of the country. This could be done through social media, town halls, and educational programs to increase awareness about what is at stake.

7. International Accountability:

• Working with Allies:

  • The U.S. should work with international allies to expose and isolate Trump globally, ensuring that any foreign powers that have been complicit in supporting his actions are held accountable. This could include sanctions against foreign entities and individuals who have worked to undermine U.S. democracy.

In Conclusion:

To stop Trump and prevent further damage to the nation, America would need to take strong, coordinated action across legal, political, and social spheres. This would require not only interfering with his ability to operate freely but also dismantling the networks he has used to perpetuate his influence. It is a moral, legal, and democratic imperative that those who are compromising national security, fueling domestic terrorism, and destabilizing the rule of law must face consequences, regardless of their political power or position.

Compiled with aid from ChatGPT