Overview
- Director Rob Reiner told MSNBC that the U.S. has about a year before it becomes a “full‑on autocracy,” predicting military presence at 2026 polling sites and potential attempts to seize voting infrastructure, which he framed as efforts to commandeer the election.
- U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary restraining order blocking the planned National Guard deployment to Portland, citing constitutional concerns over federal-state and separation‑of‑powers boundaries.
- President Donald Trump ordered 300 California National Guard troops to Oregon and moved to federalize forces in Chicago, actions California Gov. Gavin Newsom denounced as a “breathtaking abuse of the law and power.”
- Reiner argued that consolidating power requires control of media and the streets, pointing to Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, an Apple TV+ postponement, lawsuits against outlets, and cuts reported to NPR and PBS funding as evidence of pressure on independent voices.
- Calling for civic engagement, Reiner urged Hollywood and media figures to educate the public about democratic norms, highlighting the Jane Fonda‑led relaunch of the Committee for the First Amendment.