AS this is being written, an assassination attempt on Trump failed. The bullet grazed his ear. We wish Trump a quick recovery and mourn the loss of life of an unfortunate bystander. Political violence of any kind, in any shape or form, in lieu of serious discussions on political issues, is horrific and unacceptable. Sen. Bernie Sanders, aghast at this vile deed, has this to say: "We should make politics boring again, a serious discussion of the serious issues facing this country and not the harsh rhetoric that we have heard in this country for the last number of years."

This incident, to some extent, is a product of the despicable rhetoric that has dominated American campaign politics, exacerbated by candidate Trump in 2016. But as to the political fallout, this assassination attempt may have won him the 2025 election today.

To anticipate his presidency, this column will quote heavily from "Aftermath," a four-minute video clip created by the Lincoln Project, Republicans disgruntled by Trump. The clip encapsulates a purported 900-page document produced by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative political think tank, on the MAGA plan to take over every part of the federal government, purging decades-long civil servants and replacing them with "the baskets of deplorables." The document "Project 2025" (P25), translates in detail the thoughts and intentions of Trump. Its existence, acknowledged by Trump in his "Truth Social," is internally circulated. He coyly disavowed authorship yet praised the content of the documents, wishing the authors "Good luck!" 

'Aftermath: Project 2025'

The scenario starts with the oath-taking of the 47th president on Jan. 20, 2025, upon the defeat of President Biden, whose debacle has been assured by the fragmentation of the Democratic Party coalition of liberals, blacks, non-white male, women, organized labor and the college-educated, among others, after the June 27 debate, courtesy of the clamor of the Democratic Party stalwarts led by its elite to have him replaced as presidential candidate. That debate exposed Biden's natural senility and the rambling lies of Trump. Yet no similar outcry was initiated on Trump whose prevarications have been his staple since he entered public life.

On the day President Trump seizes control of a divided government, he signs hundreds of executive orders (EO) implementing P25. One calls for the replacement of 50,000 civil servants by hardline MAGA loyalists. Trump, promising retribution, orders his newly manned justice department to arrest the Jan. 6, 2020 Commission members who conducted and caused the incarceration of his cohorts in the Capitol attack. Current and former Department of Justice employees perceived to be his political opponents will be apprehended for treason and election interference conspiracy. He declares all these as official acts — counting on the protection of the Supreme Court based on their recent doctrine of total immunity for official acts of the presidency.

Migration

By EO, he ends birthright citizenship. This is one of the cornerstones of the diverse cultural infusion by immigrants, enriching America's cultural heritage. US citizenship is acquired in two situations: by virtue of a person's birth within US territory or because at least one of the parents was a US citizen at the time of the person's birth. Under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, this principle, jus soli, is enshrined.

This EO turns millions of American-born and legalized citizens legal US residents and green card holders into illegal aliens overnight. Hundreds of thousands are imprisoned in newly built camps. And mass deportation begins. Protests erupt all over, becoming more intense and violent. President Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, declaring that the protest is a danger to American sovereignty. The Insurrection Act of 1807 — a federal law that empowers the president to deploy US military and federalized National Guard troops within the US in particular circumstances, such as to suppress civil disorder, insurrection or rebellion — is invoked. He orders the National Guard to use deadly force and, in the wake of bloody violence, declares martial law nationwide, awarding himself new powers under a freshly signed American Sovereignty Protection Order, which defines protested immigration policies as non-protected speech and a threat to National Security.

Civil War 2.0

Governors of the states of New York, California, Illinois and other Democratic Party-dominated states declare their opposition, refuse compliance and assert the states' prerogatives. Trump orders their arrest. With the proliferation of guns in the country, pockets of resistance ensue. Trump pardons every Jan. 6, 2020 Capitol attacker, including those who assaulted the police, presenting them with presidential medals and honoring them. The Proud Boys, with a smattering of White Supremacists who bared their true nature in Charlottesville, are to be the new armed militia augmenting the US military.

Trump's defense secretary, a disgraced ex-general, fires 400 generals and admirals, leaving the military leaderless and the Pentagon in the hands of MAGA adherents. Other appointees purged the rank of the CIA, FBI and the apparatus under Homeland Security.

Values reformation

The Department of Education, renamed the Department of American Values, mandates a Christian nationalist curriculum for all schools receiving federal aid. Islamic teachings and practices may be relegated to the strict confines of madrassahs in mosques. Trump, joined by speaker Johnson and evangelical leaders, announces the Department of Health and Human Services with reclassified policies making IVF treatment impossible to legally administer.

Trump reverses one campaign promise by declaring a national abortion ban and a new federal data-sharing program so states can monitor women's periods. Thousands of American women are detained while crossing state lines on suspicion of seeking abortion.

Values reformation

The Department of Education, renamed the Department of American Values, mandates a Christian nationalist curriculum for all schools receiving federal aid. Islamic teachings and practices may be relegated to the strict confines of madrassahs in mosques. Trump, joined by speaker Johnson and evangelical leaders, announces the Department of Health and Human Services with reclassified policies making IVF treatment impossible to legally administer.

Trump reverses one campaign promise by declaring a national abortion ban and a new federal data-sharing program so states can monitor women's periods. Thousands of American women are detained while crossing state lines on suspicion of seeking abortion.

Trump 2028 and beyond

Sometime during his regime, Trump announces he will run for a third term, claiming that he was cheated in the 2020 elections. The Supreme Court ultimately agrees with his interpretation, paving the way for Trump's 2028 reelection.

The Lincoln Project creators have this voice-over at the end of the video clip: "If you hear all these that it isn't possible, then ask yourself. What did you believe was impossible just eight years ago? This isn't a fantasy and is Trump's plan and his counting on you to believe, it couldn't happen."

Be a True Believer! Vote Trump! Destroy America!

Voters' sympathy coats Trump with the cloak of invincibility after that failed assassination. But will the same sentiments prevail 90 days from today?