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Power and Control
Abusive Tactics: The Current Administration and the Power and Control Wheel
The actions, language, nominees, executive orders and behavior of the current White House Administration, parallel classic abuser tactics and many are also have a history of violence against women. Their actions are very clear and quite stark when compared to the behaviors outlined in the Power and Control Wheel (P&C). The P&C Wheel was created by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project and was informed by survivors who shared what it was like to live with an abuser (Daip, 2021). It is one of the most well documented and effective, evidence-based practice tool for understanding the complex and expansive ways an abuser controls and abuses their target (victim). Take Action! Read below to better understand, read the "Power and Control Dangers" by the President, and see how you can help by contacting your member of Congress.
The actions, language, nominees, executive orders and behavior of the current White House Administration, parallel classic abuser tactics and many are also have a history of violence against women. Their actions are very clear and quite stark when compared to the behaviors outlined in the Power and Control Wheel (P&C). The P&C Wheel was created by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project and was informed by survivors who shared what it was like to live with an abuser (Daip, 2021). It is one of the most well documented and effective, evidence-based practice tool for understanding the complex and expansive ways an abuser controls and abuses their target (victim). Take Action! Read below to better understand, read the "Power and Control Dangers" by the President, and see how you can help by contacting your member of Congress.
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Power and Control by the U.S. President in Violation of Federalist Principles
The Power and Control Wheel illustrates tactics used to exert dominance and undermine democratic processes, including the abuse of power, intimidation, and manipulation. When a U.S. President uses power and control beyond constitutional limits—such as issuing executive orders that override legislative authority or bypassing checks and balances—they violate foundational principles outlined in The Federalist Papers. Madison, in Federalist No. 51, emphasizes that each branch must be independent and capable of checking the others to prevent tyranny (Madison, 1788). Hamilton further underscores that responsibility and accountability are essential, asserting that an energetic but accountable executive must operate within the confines of the Constitution, with clear boundaries to prevent the concentration of unchecked power (Hamilton, 1788). When the President oversteps these boundaries, they undermine the separation of powers, threaten individual liberties, and weaken the system of checks and balances designed to protect democracy. Such actions reflect abuse of authority that the framers sought to prevent, emphasizing the importance of accountability and adherence to constitutional principles.
The Abusive Tactics of the Current Administration based on the Power and Control Wheel
The following analysis draws a comparison between the components of the Power and Control Wheel and the tactics employed by the current administration and federal agencies against individuals, groups, organizations, states, and more across the United States. Highlighting these parallels is crucial, as it underscores the dangers inherent in these tactics. When used, these methods represent a deliberate and systematic form of coercive control, akin to the behaviors of an abuser. In this context, the administration assumes the role of the abuser, while individuals, groups, organizations, states, and others find themselves as the targets of this abusive control. This mindset of entitlement and dominance not only inflicts immediate psychological and physical harm but also leads to long-term negative repercussions.
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USING COERCION AND THREATSCoercive control is the pattern of behavior used to establish and maintain dominance and oppression over those with less power. The framework of coercive control, popularized by Dr. Evan Stark, focuses on the dimensions of coercion and control within the power and control wheel. Coercive controllers combine their tactics into a strategic assault on liberty, dignity, autonomy, and freedom. This strategy consists of manipulation, deception, threats, isolation, and punishments, which all work together to exploit those with less power to benefit those with more.
The credible threat is a foundational principle of coercive control. The main actors in this Administration use both covert and overt credible threats. During the mass federal government firings, which are illegal, implemented by an illegal department (Department of Government Efficiency DOGE), employees are given very little time to make a life changing decision about their job. The threat is: take this resignation offer, or risk being fired. What makes this threat credible is the power granted to the executive office. Access to personnel records by unvetted people hired by Musk who did not go through a security clearance process, leaves workers in danger of their records being edited or removed and unavailable for future job searches should they be fired. These threats create fear, anxiety, and compliance, increasing the power of a would-be dictator. In addition to credible threats, including threats against Ukraine to exploit them of their resources, and Canada, Mexico, China through imposing tariffs, this administration appears to be threatening members of the Senate and House of Representatives to comply with unconstitutional cuts to programs already authorized by Congress. Manipulation is being used to convince Americans that these cuts are uncovering and removing “waste, fraud, and abuse.” However, this appears to be a coercively controlling smokescreen designed to benefit wealthy Americans (through tax cuts) to the detriment of the other 99% (through violation of their rights). Coercive control is at its core a terroristic strategy. The Trump administration is using numerous terroristic tactics from Biderman’s Chart of Coercion. Research has established that these tactics have been used to turn prisoners of war against their own country. In addition to threats, examples of coercion include: isolation (deporting immigrants), intimidation (firing those who dissent), monopolization of perception (repeating false claims over and over), occasional indulgences (peace talks with Ukraine and hedging on tariffs), enforcing trivial demands (short deadlines on employment decisions), degradation (calling state representatives “radical left lunatics”), demonstrating omnipotence (unilateral cuts that are not within the executive office’s granted powers), and induced debilitation and exhaustion (overwhelming people’s capacity to cope by making cuts so quickly and chaotically). |
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USING INTIMIDATIONProminent figures in the Administration have made vague statements like “she’s going to go through some things” when talking about someone he saw as speaking out about his actions to hold him accountable. Another example is the Administration telling the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” rather than denounce their racism and misogyny. There are well documented examples of the Administration attempting to intimidate other leaders or influencers when being introduced to them (i.e. grabbing their hands and squeezing so hard that it likely hurt the individual while pumping their hand rapidly.) It is well documented examples of times when he was being introduced to other leaders or influencers that he wanted to control and grabbed their hands to shake and squeezed so hard it hurt while pumping his arm rapidly. It was clear that it was uncomfortable and may have hurt the other person. Some of these leaders appeared uncomfortable, and while the Administration may have hurt the other person. The Administration regularly uses fear tactics to intimidate and overwhelm people.
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USING EMOTIONAL ABUSELeaders in the Administration regularly mock people they do not like and calls them names when they want to hold him accountable for their actions or behavior. They refer to them as stupid, do not know what they are doing, are lying, are fat, are ugly. They have mocked disabled people, refuse to be in photos with disabled people or people with limbs missing due to war or accidents. They see them as less than, not valuable for who they are. The Administration seems to forget that he has a very large, very dark digital footprint. He makes inflammatory statements, wild promises, and throws out insults regularly. Then, when faced with pushback, he will pretend that he never said or did those things. He also blatantly lies, distorting reality for a large portion of the American public. The Administration coordinated a full scale attack on election workers in 2020. They created a mass psychosis-induced belief that the USPS and the American government conspired to rig the election for Joe Biden. Those narratives mysteriously disappeared when Trump won in 2024.
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USING ISOLATIONThe mass firings will create a workforce that is not adequate to meet the amount of work each position is responsible to complete. It creates fewer opportunities for employees to develop support, assist each other and engage in personal connections. It also creates less time to interact with the public seeking help and erodes the feeling of community in the programs the federal government creates to assist those at risk or in need. For elected officials who challenge the actions of this Administration, they are targeted and isolated from the GOP party support and assistance. Especially when their seat is up for reelection, they are left to fend for themselves, are challenged by a Trump handpicked opponent and often lose in the primary.
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MINIMIZING, DENYING AND BLAMINGThe Administration consistently denies any responsibility for any of their actions. Every policy failure in the current Administration’s previous term in office was never his fault. Never taking responsibility, but always blaming. During the COVID epidemic, the Administration blamed others, minimized the level of risk or spread, wanted to keep real numbers of those dying from being reported, denied that masks or vaccines would help decrease the spread of the disease. He blamed Obama for everything he was criticized about while in office.
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USING CHILDRENThe cuts to programs that his budget includes are dangerous to children’s health and welfare. Dramatically reducing funds for Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and the Department of Education all negatively impact children, through denying access to healthcare, increasing their food insecurity, or eliminating individual education plans for children with disabilities.
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USING MALE PRIVILEGEThe reduction of the workforce through eliminating DEI and including women in the category of unqualified hires who do not have the skills to do the job simply because they are women is misogyny in action. Project 2025 policy plan clearly defines women’s role as one of helpmate, mother and wife of a heterosexual male. Trump, J.D. Vance and Musk all strongly support this view of women’s value when compared to men.
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USING ECONOMIC ABUSEFiring massive numbers of federal employees creates stress on those people and distracts them from challenging policy or program changes as they scramble to find another job.
The budget proposal includes many dramatic changes to programs that provide financial support or assistance to vulnerable populations and children, including veterans. This reduction in monthly food, housing, financial assistance or access to healthcare will divert their attention to simple survival and may prevent them from advocating for their rights and resources. |
What Can You Do?
We encourage you to reach out to their representatives in Congress regarding the similarities between the elements of the Power and Control Wheel and the tactics currently employed by the administration and federal agencies against individuals, groups, organizations, states, and others throughout the United States. Highlighting these parallels, illustrates Power and Control Danger, as it reveals the inherent dangers of these tactics. When implemented, these methods exemplify a deliberate and systematic form of coercive control, mirroring the behaviors of an abuser. In this scenario, the administration assumes the role of the abuser, while individuals, groups, organizations, and states become the targets of this oppressive control. This mindset of entitlement and dominance not only causes immediate psychological and physical harm but also generates long-term detrimental effects that will have a negative impact on physical and mental health for generations.
Take Action Now! It is imperative that we bring attention to these issues and advocate for accountability in order to protect the rights and well-being of all citizens. Remind Congress on the dangers of power and control by the President, and how this power and control violates foundational principles outlined in The Federalist Papers.
Take Action Now! It is imperative that we bring attention to these issues and advocate for accountability in order to protect the rights and well-being of all citizens. Remind Congress on the dangers of power and control by the President, and how this power and control violates foundational principles outlined in The Federalist Papers.
References
- Daip. (2021, April 24). Wheels - Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs. Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs. https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels
- Madison, J. (1788). Federalist No. 51. In The Federalist Papers.
- Hamilton, A. (1788). Federalist No. 70 and Federalist No. 78. In The Federalist Papers.
Power and Control Infographic
Take Action! The following infographic on Power and Control can be downloaded, shared, or printed for distribution, including to social media and your member of Congress.
