I've always had trouble with the contrast between the stated desire to cut spending programs and reduce the scope of the state with Mussolini's, "Everything within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state"

Of course if we observe that both the left and the right tend to increase the scope of the state rather than reduce it, we can better understand the scenario. Today's right is no more authoritarian than the illiberal left. Both sides advance the scope of authoritarianism by appealing to different, sometimes opposing interests.

The post 9/11 era pursued Muslims. The Obama era increased the scope of medical regulation and further cartelized health insurance. TSA and VIPR interceptions increased. Internal border patrol checkpoints became normalized. Gun owners were pursued. There's actually too much to list here. Trump's crusade against illegal immigration is yet another disaster for civil liberties. Not to mention the vaccine mandates and lockdowns...

For these reasons I find the Timothy Snyders of the world totally ridiculous. The selective outrage is nothing more than a partisan device. Sure, make comparisons to Fascism, but be consistent. Both sides expand the scope of the state as the pendulum swings to their respective corner.