Parallels of Abuse Inflicted on the American Colonists to What is Happening Today
Massachusetts has been actively immersed in the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with reenactments of many events that occurred prior to 1776. Next year Philadelphia will be the focus. As the voices in defense of America’s Democratic-Republic speak out against the damage the Trump Administration is inflicting to our institutions and rule of law – we must ask ourselves if we are ready for the 250th anniversary? I am not asking if we are ready for the fireworks, reenactments, and celebration – but are we ready for the reality? To be sure, Trump will take center stage. He will, no doubt, liken himself to George Washington. His administration’s “truth” of the American Revolution will be fed to the masses who will believe this “alternate truth” because most are unaware of the facts.
Our Founding Fathers and Mothers were willing to sacrifice all to birth this nation. Do the reasons they stood in opposition to the tyranny of Great Britain matter today? Does the manner in which they joined together throughout the ten years prior to the outbreak of war – to peacefully present their opposition – have any correlation to today’s concerns of how to oppose political abuse? Can we learn from this vital history – or are we satisfied to remain ignorant of foundational facts and obliviously wave our flags while enraptured by a magnificent fireworks display?
The simple act of presenting truth can stop Trump from taking center stage on July 4, 2026. This truth will expose Trump as being in line with the abuses of King George III. This truth will expose the Republicans in Congress of being in line with the tyranny of the British Parliament. These truths will renew a sense of genuine Patriotism in this nation and deepened respect not only for those who established it for us, but those who have sacrificed to protect it over the course of 250 years. Realizing the truth of what drove the American colonists to oppose British tyranny, in relation to our present reality, will bring forth an exuberant celebration for the 250th anniversary of our Independence – and heightened determination to keep it.
As a historian of the American Revolution, I am alarmed by the many disturbing parallels between the abuses of King George III and the British Parliament against the American colonists and what the Trump administration and the Republicans in Congress are attempting now. The Parliamentary Acts of taxation affected all colonies equally. The majority of the acts were tariffs on imported goods. The colonists could avoid the import taxes by refusing to purchase the tariffed goods. In 1765, the form of taxation changed and a direct tax was imposed on the colonists through the Stamp Act. Items the colonists used in their everyday lives were now taxed. Opposition to this tax was heard throughout the colonies – especially in Boston, where public protests ensued. In retaliation to the protests, blatant abuses of power were directed at Massachusetts and specifically at Boston.
Let’s consider the parallels of abuse inflicted on Massachusetts from 1765-1775 to what is happening today:
George III and Parliament ordered the ports of Boston to be closed thus cutting off thousands of jobs.
Trump with the support of Republicans in Congress has cut off tens of thousands of jobs by radically cutting back federal positions, defunding research, defunding institutions of higher education, fluctuating tariffs on steel and other good causing uncertainty in building and planning (new construction at a halt), etc.
George III and Parliament ordered the British Army to police the streets of Boston to quell protests.
Trump with the support of Republicans in Congress ordered the National Guard and U.S. Marines to police the streets of Los Angeles to quell protests.
George III and Parliament ensured fair trials for British officials who were charged with capital offenses while “upholding the law” or quelling protests (Massachusetts colonists referred to this as the “Murder Act”).
Trump with the support of Republicans in Congress has ensured through his three hand-picked Supreme Court justices that provided him a majority decision, that he cannot be charged with capital offenses for any of his actions while in office.
Trump has released heinous criminals via presidential pardons.
Trump’s U.S. Attorney General Bondi, Secretary of State Rubio, Secretary of Homeland Security Noem, and various federal agents including ICE are allowed, without fear of legal retribution, to violate the right of due process to tens of thousands of individuals seeking asylum in the United States.
George III and Parliament threatened to arrest those who publicly opposed them and those who printed or signed material which encouraged protest.
Trump with the support of Republicans in Congress is threatening criminal charges and arrest of those who publicly oppose him.
Trump is radicalizing the right to oppose any who question his actions or opinions or the opinions of those he supports.
George III and Parliament removed civil officers in Massachusetts and replaced them with royal appointments.
Trump with the support of Republicans in Congress has removed civil officers from numerous federal administrations and departments and replaced them with MAGA appointments.
George III and Parliament forbade any town meetings throughout Massachusetts unless approved by the royal governor.
Congressional Republicans canceled numerous town meetings in an attempt to avoid the questions and respond to the mounting frustration of their constituents.
Royally appointed governor attempted to control opinions in local newspapers:
Trump is banning journalists from certain news agencies who dare to ask pertinent questions and report the facts from being included in the White House Press Corps.
Trump with the support of Republicans in Congress has taken federal funding from America’s public broadcasting stations NPR and PBS.
Trump with the support of Republicans in Congress has taken federal funding from Voice of America.
Trump and his followers consistently refer to reports from news outlets that he disagrees with as “fake news.”
Trump has filed and threatened to file lawsuits against news outlets that print information which calls him or decisions he makes into question.
Are these things to come?
- George III and Parliament forced the removal of elected judges and replaced them with royal appointments.
- George III and Parliament moved certain trials of interest out of Massachusetts.
- George III and Parliament abrogated the Massachusetts Charter, which defined the governance of the colony, and appointed a military governor with wide-ranging powers.
- George III and Parliament attempted to control private businesses by banning goods imported from ports other than British ports.
Another pertinent and noteworthy parallel:
- King George III had porphyria, a disease which can cause physical weaknesses and mental confusion. Historians also question if the king suffered from bipolar disorder.
- Though he has not been diagnosed by a qualified physician, Donald Trump presents with text book characteristics of narcissistic personality disorder, arrested emotional development, and symptoms of what could be a serious physical illness.
How the Massachusetts Patriots responded:
- Continuous petitions to King and Parliament.
- Formation of a “think tank” that was referred to as the “Long Room Club.”
- Education of the people through continuous newspaper articles.
- Publicly declared that the liberty of the press was a great bulwark of the liberty of the people.
- Formation of “The Sons of Liberty.”
- Financial assistance to those without jobs due to the closing of the ports.
- Boycott of all British goods! (Very effective!)
- Relaying accurate information through social networks referred to as the “Committees of Correspondence.”
- Preparation to respond with only a “Minute’s Notice.”
Can we learn from them? It seems we must!
On September 18, 1787, the citizens of Philadelphia anxiously awaited a decision from the delegates of the Constitutional Convention to discover what form of government the United States of America would have. A woman outside Independence Hall stopped delegate Dr. Benjamin Franklin as he passed by and boldly asked, “Well, Doctor, what have we got a republic or a monarchy?”
Franklin replied, “A republic if you can keep it.”
We can keep it!