Trump’s escalating violent rhetoric is straight out of the autocrat’s playbook

‘The goal is to throw out American democracy and move to something none of us should want.’ Photograph: Michael M Santiago/Getty Images

Twice in the past two weeks, Donald Trump has suggested violent consequences for those who dare to cross him.

Mark Milley, the outgoing chairman of the joint chiefs of staff? He deserves to be executed, Trump charged. Milley’s backchannel communications, intended to reassure Chinese military leaders before and after the 2020 election, amounted to a treasonous act “so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!”