1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

Sound the Alarms In Minnesota, Senate File 2589 has been introduced, proposing to classify “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) as a recognized mental illness. The bill defines TDS as “the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump.” Symptoms may include “Trump-induced general hysteria,” leading to “an inability to distinguish between legitimate policy differences and signs of psychic pathology in President Donald J. Trump’s behavior.” This may be expressed by: 1. Verbal expressions of intense hostility toward President Donald J. Trump; and 2. Overt acts of aggression and violence against anyone supporting President Donald J. Trump or anything that symbolizes President Donald J. Trump. The ambiguity of this language is deeply troubling. Terms like “paranoia,” “general hysteria,” and “intense hostility” are subjective and open to broad interpretation. Such vagueness grants authorities the power to label any criticism or dissent against the former president as a mental illness, effectively pathologizing political opposition. We have seen this tactic before. Trump has just attempted to reinterpret and reintroduce the Alien Enemies Act of 1798—an old wartime law—despite no war taking place. He claims this is to deport “terrorists,” a term that, under his rule, could mean anyone he deems an enemy. A judge ruled this unlawful and blocked the order within hours, but Trump ignored the ruling almost immediately. In less than 12 hours, he escalated, ordering the forced deportation of hundreds of people, some of whom likely have no connection to the criminal group he claims to be targeting. This is an escalation in both speed and brazenness. It is the same strategy authoritarian regimes have used throughout history—using vague language in the law to justify the persecution of political opponents, expanding executive power beyond its constitutional limits, and outright defying judicial oversight. The introduction of SF 2589 is a warning sign. It lays the groundwork for the criminalization of political opposition itself, designating critics of Trump as mentally ill. Once that precedent is set, the definition can expand. Who is next? Journalists? Academics? Protesters? This administration wants us to be afraid. They want us isolated. They want us divided. We will not comply. We will not be silenced. Now is the time for action. Let us rise to the occasion, united in purpose, to safeguard our democracy for ourselves and future generations.