This was always the risk: Trumpism without Trump would be more dangerous than Trumpism with Trump. T-with-T had a buffoonish quality. After all, Donald Trump cared more about Trump than Trumpism. He didn’t have the attention span or the competence to implement many of his worst ideas. Yes, hundreds of thousands of Americans died due to his inept handling of the pandemic. He totally screwed up the federal budget with a deficit-fueling tax cut for him and his fellow 1 percenters. He loaded the Supreme Court and the federal bench with right-wing ideologues who threaten voting rights, reproductive rights, and much more. He did nothing to address the climate emergency. And he incited thousands to storm the Capitol to keep him in power. Yet imagine if he had bothered to develop fully formed initiatives and legislative strategies and built an on-the-ground operation—and devoted as much time to all this as he did to tweeting about his media appearances. He possessed neither the inclination nor the discipline to be a truly effective authoritarian.

But in recent days, Trumpism without Trump has scored significant successes and pushed the United States further toward hallmarks of authoritarianism: political violence and fascistic vigilantism. In Texas, GOP Gov. Greg Abbott and Republican legislators enacted a law that bans most abortions (those performed after six weeks into a pregnancy) and, worse, creates anti-abortion vigilantes. Under this law—a clever attempt by abortion opponents to circumvent the constitutional challenges that torpedo direct bans on abortions—anyone inside or outside of Texas can sue a doctor or clinic in Texas for performing a post-six-weeks abortion and demand $10,000-plus in damages. The recipient of the abortion cannot be sued, but the law allows the targeting of persons who help a woman obtain a proscribed abortion. That could include someone who drives a woman to a clinic or a friend or relative who advises a woman to obtain an abortion. This will empower anti-abortion activists to pursue women and abortion providers—and seek financial gain through lawsuits. One Texas anti-choice group has already set up a tip line for people to anonymously snitch on abortions that violate this arguably unconstitutional law. (Immediately, there were efforts to shut it down.)

In crafty fashion, Abbott and his fellow Republicans are deputizing far-right abortion foes and egging them on to become abortion bounty hunters and informants. They are weaponizing extremists and essentially establishing an anti-abortion militia. Ponder the potential for abuse, with battalions of Aunt Lydias scouring the state for abortionists and their helpmates. This is the Gileadization of Texas. And if the ploy succeeds in the Lone Star State—the Supreme Court in a late-night order declined to block the measure—abortion foes will try it in other states.

Texas Republicans have done something similar with voting. The state law recently passed that restricts certain forms of voting includes a provision that could unleash an army of right-wing partisan poll watchers. The law grants party and ideological activists more access to polling stations—in a state with a long history of conservatives deploying poll watchers to harass and intimidate voters of color. (As the AP notes, in the 1960s, “Republican poll watchers in some parts of Texas challenged Black and Latino voters to read and explain the U.S. Constitution before casting ballots as part of a campaign dubbed ‘Operation Eagle Eye.’”) In this instance, too, the GOP Trumpists in Texas are bolstering their radical minions, encouraging them to descend on polling places to police—and perhaps harass—the vote. Another recent Texas law allows most Texans to carry handguns in public without receiving training or obtaining permits. Picture armed right-wingers in military-style garb patrolling ballot stations.

Meanwhile, Republicans elsewhere are exhorting their comrades to take extreme measures and legitimizing the use of violence. At a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Steve Lynch, a pro-Trump candidate for county executive, threatened to physically remove school board members who support a mask mandate. He called on other manly men to join his violent putsch: “I’m going in with 20 strong men, and I’m going to speak to the school board, and I’m going to give them an option. They can leave or they can be removed. And then after that, we’re going to replace them with nine parents and we’re going to vote down the mask mandates that evening—that evening. This is how you get stuff done. Forget writing your legislator. Forget it! They’re not listening.” He added, “Make men men again!”

Lynch’s testosterone-charged fighting words went viral on social media. As did the comments of Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.), who told a crowd at a local Republican Party office that “bloodshed” might be necessary to combat voter fraud. He huffed: “If our election systems continue to be rigged and continue to be stolen, it's gonna lead to one place, and it's bloodshed. And I will tell you, as much as I'm willing to defend our liberty at all costs, there's nothing that I would dread doing more than having to pick up arms against a fellow American.” While continuing to advance Trump’s Big Lie, this Republican propagandist was telling his fellow extremists to get ready to fight. Literally. He also referred to the marauders arrested during the Capitol Hill riot as “political hostages” and “political prisoners”—conveying legitimacy and martyrdom upon violent domestic terrorists. He remarked, “The reason why they're taking these political prisoners is because they're trying to make an example, because they don't want to see the mass protests going on in Washington.” No, they were arrested for violating the law by ransacking the Capitol and assaulting law enforcement officers and others. (Whatever happened to the law-and-order party?)

Put it all together and Cawthorn’s message is clear: prep for a new civil war. Following these remarks, the Charlotte Observer called for him to be sanctioned: "His fellow Republicans, including those in North Carolina, should respond. They should join Democrats in condemning Cawthorn and, in a bipartisan effort, censuring him in the U.S. House." And Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) urged the GOP leadership to condemn Cawthorn’s remarks. As if that’s going to happen.

Both Lynch and Cawthorn are saying it’s time for the far right to consider violence to achieve political ends. And Abbott and his GOP legislature are enabling Trumpers to form vigilante bands that chase after women and that intrude upon polling places. Trump called an extremist mob to Washington for a “wild” time on January 6, and his flock mounted a seditious raid on Congress. But the spasm of violence he inspired did not stop the constitutional process that would remove him from office. The republic was saved from his effort to supplant democracy with authoritarianism. But the recent moves in Texas and the rhetoric of Cawthorn, Lynch, and others demonstrate that the Trumpish fascistic impulse remains strong within the Republican Party—and that, in the case of Abbott and his henchmen, its adherents are sharper than Trump and more committed to getting results.

Dumbass Comment of the Week

A few issues back, I wrote, “Perhaps this feature should be rebranded: ‘What Did Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) Say or Tweet This Week?’ So...see above. But an honorable mention for pure meanness goes to Rep. Scott Perry (R-Penn.). Asked why he voted against a bipartisan bill to expedite visas for Afghan refugees and boost the number that would be permitted into the country, Perry replied, “I'm not going to be responsible for seeing our little girls raped and killed in the streets because we wanted to bring people that are poorly vetted into the United States.” Most House Republicans did not equate assisting Afghan refugees with allowing rapists to run free. The legislation passed the House on a 407–16 vote in July. But the 16 nays were all Republicans. The bill now awaits action in the Senate.

Rock ’n’ Roll Flashback: Popped by Iggy Pop

Not too long ago, I was driving with my younger daughter near Philadelphia and listening to one of the best FM music stations on the Atlantic seaboard: listener-supported WXPN. On came “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory” by Johnny Thunders, once a member of the New York Dolls, the pioneering glam-punk band of the 1970s. Well, I said to her, that brings back a memory. She cringed. I proceeded.

Sometime around 1979 or 1980, I went to a show in a New York City club where Thunders was playing with Wayne Kramer, who had been the guitarist for the fierce Detroit band MC5. About then the pair were performing under the name Gang War. (One critic notes “their gigs...remain for decades the stuff of legend.”) I can’t remember the venue. The details are a bit fuzzy. And there’s a good reason for that, as you will see.

I was there with Randall Goya, with whom I had been in a punkish band in college. (More on that another time.) The place was packed with a large crowd of pumped-up fans. Thunders, Kramer, and their band raced through tough, high-speed songs. At one point, they brought up a special guest: Iggy Pop. The intensity level increased. Iggy—it’s hard to call him “Pop” on second reference—pranced about the stage, bare-chested, in a frenzy, as they ripped through one or maybe more numbers.

Then it was time for Iggy to leave the stage. But he didn’t. He refused to hand back the microphone. He kept running about and (it seemed) yelling at Thunders and Kramer to continue playing. It was an attempted coup. Thunders and Kramer didn’t appear pleased, and they tried to shoo Iggy off the stage. That didn’t work. There was shouting and chaos. Iggy looked like a madman. The crowd loved it.

With reason not ruling the day, bouncers were called in to escort Mr. Pop from the stage. He darted about to escape their clutches, taunting his would-be captors. Then they pounced. It took four of these brawny gents to secure the sinewy Iggy—one of each of his limbs. They delivered him from the stage in a horizontal position, as Iggy thrashed about, resisting their efforts.

As they carted off the writhing Iggy, alongside the throng where Randall and I were standing, one of his arms broke free. With full force, his clenched fist collided with my jaw. I dropped to my knees. I was down for the count. Like a cartoon character, I saw stars spinning around. And then for a few seconds, everything was dark. Slowly, reality crept back into focus. A searing pain ran through my face. I probably had a quizzical expression. Randall offered an explanation: “Man, you were popped by Iggy Pop.” Fellow concertgoers nodded approvingly. One—or more—said, “cool.” Another added, “Rock ’n’ roll.” I looked at Randall: “I think I have to go.” My head was ringing—and not with power chords.

Many years later, I met Kramer in Los Angeles. Remember, I asked, that show when Iggy Pop...? This rang no bells. “There were a lot of crazy nights,” he remarked.

Where are they now? Thunders perished in 1991 in New Orleans, apparently in a drug-related death, though there were questions regarding possible foul play. Twelve years ago, Kramer, who had pulled a two-year stint at a federal prison in the mid-’70s after being busted for selling coke to an undercover agent, founded, with his wife, Margaret Saadi Kramer, and musician Billy Bragg, Jail Guitar Doors, which provides instruments and music workshops to inmates. (The group is named after a Clash song.) Kramer is still kicking out the jams and tweeting. As for Iggy, he recently posed fully covered in silver paint for a calendar featuring photographs by rocker-turned-shutterbug Bryan Adams.

It’s possible this may be a partial recording of the show where I was clocked by Iggy Pop. I don’t remember a single song from that night:

MoxieCam™

Moxie is a bit puzzled.

Read Previous Issues of This Land

August 31, 2021: How a 1954 analysis perfectly explains today’s Republican Party; on his new album, James McMurtry captures the spirit of Warren Zevon; and more.

August 20, 2021: Yes, there are laws Trump may have broken while trying to overturn the election; Dumbass Comment of the Week (special Afghanistan edition); the Mailbag (should we report on Trump’s inane remarks?); MoxieCam™; and more.

August 16, 2021: The Afghanistan debacle: How Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden bamboozled the American public; the “Banana King” of Wellfleet, Massachusetts; and more.

August 13, 2021: Hey lefties, stop telling me not to report on Trump’s dangerous comments; Dumbass Comment of the Week; rock ’n’ roll flashback: Sting abuse at a Police show; MoxieCam™; and more.

August 10, 2021: Look who’s organizing a pro-January 6 rally at the Capitol; an inspiring tale from the Myanmar jungle; the best album of the year so far; and more.

August 7, 2021: Are non-vaxxers and anti-maskers just too damn selfish?; Dumbass Comment of the Week; Mailbag (can you still watch your favorite old movies if they now make you cringe?); MoxieCam™; and more.

August 3, 2021: When “worse than Watergate” is really worse than Watergate; Apple TV+’s “comedy” Physical is no comedy, but it’s worth watching; This Land in Photos (West Virginia); and more.

July 31, 2021: Can you still watch your favorite movies?; Dumbass Comment of the Week; Mailbag (more on Lennon versus McCartney); MoxieCam™; and more.

July 29, 2021: Is a country music star encouraging more January 6-like violence?; a civil rights hero more people should know; and more.

July 27, 2021: Are Republicans going to sabotage police reform that doesn’t even go far enough?; how to put a senseless murder to good use; how sober is Liz Phair?; and more.

July 24, 2021: Has Paul McCartney finally won me over?; Dumbass Comment of the Week; Mailbag; MoxieCam™; and more.

July 22, 2021: My bizarre encounter with Rep. Jim Jordan—and why Speaker Pelosi was right to bounce him from the 1/6 committee; celebrating and grieving with musician Steve Earle; and more.

July 20, 2021: The time a Republican president did the right thing to stop an epidemic; Trump’s big narcissism fail; Nelson Algren and Norman Podhoretz; a new psychedelic Beatles-esque tune; and more.

July 17, 2021: Why the Guardian’s Trump-Russia bombshell—dud or not—doesn’t fully matter; Dumbass Comment of the Week; why Bosch works in spite of Bosch; MoxieCam™; and more.

July 15, 2021: Does President Joe Biden really stand with the Cuban people?; the time I really pissed off the Cuban regime; J. Edgar Hoover vs. MLK; one of the best movie reviews of all time; and more.

July 13, 2021: A coming referendum on Donald Trump; a suggestion for Hunter Biden; a new book on how the super-rich screw us all; and more.

July 10, 2021: Why the Republicans are right to be terrified of the new House committee investigating the 1/6 attack; Dumbass Comment of the Week; Joni Mitchell’s Blue 50; and more.

July 7, 2021: How The Summer of Soul counters the GOP’s season of hate; a debate on the recent UFO report; Garry Trudeau, American Dostoyevsky; MoxieCam™; and more.

July 3, 2021: Donald Rumsfeld, Christopher Hitchens, the Iraq War, and me; the perils of taking a home DNA test; Dumbass Comment of the Week; a Springsteen story; and more.

July 1, 2021: Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and perjury; Adam Serwer’s new book; Cézanne’s crime scene; and more.

June 29, 2021: How the new UFO report is bad news for UFO believers; my own UFO tale; HBO Max’s Hacks; an anti-racist anthem; and more.

June 26, 2021: Is Josh Hawley dumb or evil? (The answer is not both); Dumbassery that encourages mass “executions” in the United States; renowned guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson’s new tour and new book (and his claim regarding the best strings arrangement ever on a popular song); MoxieCam™ (before and after photos!); and more.

June 24, 2021: How an alleged 1/6 conspirator who called for executing Trump’s foes hooked up with a prominent Republican Party official; new Los Lobos; and more.

June 22, 2021: Why the GOP is pushing “political apartheid”; Ted Cruz wins Dumbass Comment of the Week; recommendations for an Apple TV+ series and a book on the curious origins of the universe; the first Clash tour of the United States (and being trapped in a van driven by a punk on acid); MoxieCam™; and more.

Got suggestions, comments, complaints, tips related to any of the above, or anything else? Email me at thisland@motherjones.com.