Prequel

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Rachel Maddow explores the struggle to protect American democracy, tracing its roots to World War II when dedicated public servants and courageous citizens countered far-right conspirators aiming to align the U.S. with the Nazis. Drawing from her podcast research, she reveals a persistent strain of American authoritarianism that has lingered on the far-right for nearly a century. Even before U.S. troops engaged in combat, a covert network disseminated disinformation to weaken the war effort and sway public opinion toward the Axis powers. This well-funded campaign sought to undermine democratic institutions, promote antisemitism, and erode trust in elected officials, ultimately aiming to overthrow the government and impose authoritarian rule. Concurrently, an ultra-right paramilitary movement amassed weapons and trained for violent insurrection. Despite the chaos, a group of dedicated activists and journalists worked tirelessly to expose these plots. In 1941, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a significant offensive, identifying key conspirators and prosecuting many. However, the response was hampered by interference from influential elected officials, revealing a troubling narrative of law enforcement compromised by political pressure. This historical failure has left lasting repercussions, yet the resilience of those who fought against the insurrectionists offers a powerful and relevant message for today's challenges.