January 6, 2021, was a day that changed many lives, including mine. As a new member of Congress, I found myself trapped in the House Gallery that day with my colleagues. We barely escaped the insurrectionists by mere seconds. My background in conflict prevention and response, honed at the State Department and the United Nations, suddenly became very relevant. I've seen similar situations in countries like Fiji and Mali, where violent attempts to seize power are followed by more subtle, insidious plans.

Project 2025 is one such plan. This 900-page document, drafted by loyalists and former employees of the Trump administration, aims to undermine democracy. It threatens election workers, disenfranchises voters, and stifles dissent. The plan wants to eliminate the Department of Homeland Security's role in combating disinformation, shared voter databases with the federal government, and shift authority to prosecute election-related offenses.

The presidency would become more like a monarchy under this plan. Checks and balances would be removed, allowing the president to shield loyalists and target opponents. Public agencies like the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Election Commission would lose their independence. The president could control spending and replace civil servants with political loyalists.

Dissent would be difficult. The president could target media outlets, seize communications, and even deploy the military to quell protests. This is a different tactic from January 6, but the goal is the same: keeping power against the people's will.

To combat this, we need to hold accountable those involved in the January 6 attack. We must deliver on our promises and restore trust in our democratic institutions. Long-term, we need to address deep divisions, especially around race and inequality. It won't be easy, but with the right leadership, it's possible.

The Sneaky Plan: A Quiet Coup in the Making

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