Trump's Final Act

 As Trump sulks and fumes, out of sight in a nearly deserted West Wing, convinced that he is not a loser but the victim of a vast conspiracy, it is appropriate to put matters in context.

The vote which Trump claims was rigged was cast and counted in a country dominated by his presidency, a Republican controlled Senate, a conservative Supreme Court populated by his appointees and a majority of state governments under the sway of governors and legislatures made up of his declared supporters.
Nevertheless, Trump suffered a decisive defeat, in both the popular and electoral vote.
And yet, his constantly repeated lies, echoed by elected officials and reinforced by right-wing media, has persuaded tens of millions that the election was stolen and that the country is falling into the hands of crazed socialists and the “others”. It seems that a growing number of disappointed Trumpists have been radicalized by the domestic terrorist faction and now teeter on the edge of outright revolt.
Whether a confession of error by Trump could quell the rising tide of violence is doubtful; the dogs of war have been unleashed. Whether our democracy survives may well depend on the loyalty to constitutional duty of the military and police forces, members of which have been found in the ranks of the fascists.