Hope in the Face of Authoritarianism

The Power of the Powerless

Danielle Sassoon's recent resignation is a reminder that true conservatives follow the rule of law, not authoritarian impulses. Sassoon resigned from her position as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York on February 13, 2025, after refusing to comply with an order from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove to dismiss federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Sassoon, a registered Republican and member of the Federalist Society, stated in her resignation letter that dismissing the charges for political reasons would violate principles of impartiality and fairness. She expressed confidence in the validity of the charges and highlighted concerns about a proposed quid pro quo (sound familiar?), where Adams would assist with federal immigration enforcement in exchange for the case's dismissal. Several other of her colleagues have also resigned, citing similar reasons. Bove accepted her resignation, citing insubordination and initiating an investigation into her conduct. 

It reminded me of a former colleague, John Mitnick, who is also a true conservative, a Federalist Society member, and served as former Heritage Foundation general counsel. In 2019, Mitnick also refused to compromise his principles while serving as the General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security during Trump 1.0, where he clashed with Trump hardliners over the legality of some of the immigration crackdowns. He was fired with the intent of replacing him with a more loyal enforcer at the time, Chad Mizelle—who is now serving as the Chief of Staff at the Department of Justice in Trump 2.0—while his wife Kathryn Mizelle, is serving as a Trump-appointed federal judge. Nothing to see here! Mitnick later went public and has continuously warned about Trump's disregard for the law and the dangers of his return to the Oval Office. He cited firsthand experience with the administration's efforts to erode legal norms.  

Sassoon, the other prosecutors who resigned with her, as well as other conservatives such as Mitnick, underscore the power of individuals to resist by standing on the side of integrity. This choice—to reject participation in a system of lies, aligns with the core message of Václav Havel's The Power of the Powerless (more on this later) and is a testament to how individual acts of defiance matter. Standing firm despite the personal cost.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump's recent social media post, in which he openly mused about consolidating absolute power in his ongoing attacks against judges, is a stark warning. His words—brazenly laying out an authoritarian vision—reinforce why democratic institutions must be defended at every turn. When a leader openly threatens democratic norms, the response must be swift and resolute: refusing to accept lies, speaking out, and taking action before it's too late.

When faced with the rise of authoritarianism, it's easy to feel powerless. The weight of state propaganda, the fear of retaliation, and the inevitability of political manipulation can paralyze even the most engaged citizens. But history, particularly the dissidents who have resisted totalitarian regimes along the way, teaches us an invaluable lesson: the seemingly powerless hold far more strength than they realize.

I recently revisited Václav Havel's seminal political essay, The Power of the Powerless, written under Czechoslovakia's oppressive communist regime, which speaks directly to our historical moment. He describes how authoritarianism thrives not simply through overt violence but through a system of lies that people, either out of fear or exhaustion, accept and perpetuate. But he also lays out a roadmap for resistance: by choosing truth, by acting with integrity, and by refusing to comply with the regime's false reality, ordinary people can chip away at authoritarian control. This is the lesson we must take to heart as we face today's threats to democracy.

The Power of Living in Truth (Let me just say that it’s quite liberating!)

Authoritarian regimes rely on a foundation of deceit, requiring individuals to either believe their lies or pretend to. Havel illustrated this with his famous example of a greengrocer who, out of habit or fear, places a government-approved slogan in his shop window: Workers of the world, unite! The sign may seem trivial, but it represents something more profound: quiet acquiescence to a system that demands conformity.

But imagine if the greengrocer refuses. If he takes the sign down, suddenly, he is challenging the regime's authority. He is declaring that he will not participate in the Lie. And if others see his act of defiance, they may realize they, too, have a choice. This is how authoritarian control begins to erode—not through grand revolutions but through small acts of courage that inspire others to do the same. These small acts of defiance are not insignificant; they are powerful and give us hope.

We see this playing out today. Whether it's FBI leaders like Assistant Director James Dennehy standing up for their workforce or journalists like Jim Acosta and Jorge Ramos, refusing to be intimidated, these acts of truth-telling are essential and inspiring. Every time someone refuses to repeat a falsehood, every time they challenge disinformation, they weaken the foundations of authoritarianism.

On Presidents' Day this week, thousands of Americans protested across all 50 states opposing Donald Trump's presidency and the influence of unelected figures like Elon Musk. In Boston, demonstrators in Revolutionary War attire marched against executive overreach, while in Phoenix, tensions flared at the state Capitol over immigration policies. Houston saw crowds decrying Musk's role in government, and in Connecticut, protesters rallied against dismantling federal agencies. In New York City and Albany, rallies condemned attacks on democracy and environmental protections. These nationwide demonstrations reflected growing resistance to policies seen as undermining democratic institutions and public governance.

How Ordinary People Can Resist

Havel's message is clear: resistance does not have to be dramatic. Most people will not lead protests or make headlines, but they can still make a difference in everyday ways.

Here's how:

1. Refuse to Participate in the Lie. When confronted with misinformation, whether from politicians, media, or even friends, we must push back. This means calling out falsehoods, refusing to share propaganda, and standing by the truth even when inconvenient.

2. Build Parallel Structures. Havel and other dissidents didn't wait for the regime to collapse before acting. They created independent publishing houses, underground educational networks, and unofficial cultural movements—what he called "parallel structures." This means supporting independent journalism, creating safe spaces for honest dialogue, and strengthening institutions that uphold democratic values.

3. Engage in Civic Action. Voting is the foundation of democracy, but actual engagement goes beyond elections. Attending local meetings, writing to representatives, joining grassroots organizations, and even having difficult conversations with skeptical neighbors all matter. The more people participate, the harder it is for authoritarianism to take hold.

4. Support Those Who Speak Out.  Dissidents rarely stand alone. They are protected by the solidarity of others. When public figures face retaliation for speaking the truth—whether government officials, military leaders, or community activists—our responsibility is to defend them. This includes amplifying their message, pushing back against smear campaigns, and ensuring they are not silenced. When I first resigned from the White House and spoke out against Trump in 2020, it was very lonely and isolating. I've made it a point to be there for others who take a stand. I say this to emphasize that your voice acknowledging when people take a stand matters now more than ever.

5. Refuse to Be Intimidated. Fear is the greatest weapon of authoritarian regimes. They rely on making people feel that resistance is futile. The truth is their power is brittle. The moment people stop fearing them, their control begins to crumble.

Why Hope is Not Naïve

In dark times, hope can feel like wishful thinking. But Havel understood that hope is not about blind optimism, it is a choice. It is about believing that change is possible even when the odds seem insurmountable. The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe seemed unthinkable—until it happened. Regimes that had stood for decades, seemingly untouchable, fell because ordinary people made the decision to stop cooperating with lies. They stopped living in fear. They found courage in each other.

We are at a similar crossroads. The forces of authoritarianism, disinformation, and political violence want us to believe that resistance is useless and that we should simply accept what is happening. But history tells us otherwise. It tells us that even the smallest acts of defiance: telling the truth, refusing to comply, supporting one another, can snowball into movements that bring down entire systems of oppression. This is the power that each of us holds, and it is this power that we must harness to resist authoritarianism and uphold democratic values.

Our democracy is not inevitable. It must be defended daily by people willing to stand for truth and integrity. Václav Havel showed us how. Now, it's our turn.

And if you ever doubt your power, remember this: even the most authoritarian leaders fear the moment when people stop believing in their lies. That is where their power ends—and ours begins.

Until next time,

Olivia