Democrats seek psychologists’ advice on Trump’s ‘authoritarian’ behavior | Democrats

Democrats on Capitol Hill have consulted with psychologists to help them communicate effectively and navigate the controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Faced with the prospect of being overwhelmed by legal challenges, Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, invited James Cowan, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, and Hal Movius, a psychologist. Members of the Committee on Negotiation, Confidence and Leadership Skills to address a gathering of fellow Democrats last week.

Psychologists were busy advising Democrats on the committee on strategies to counter the authoritarian behavior of Trump and his Republican supporters, Raskin said. told Punchbowlwhich first reported the story.

Last week’s meeting was part of the group’s preparations to deal with an expected avalanche of executive orders that Trump has issued since his inauguration on Monday — many of which have already been subject to court challenges. are

“He was just talking about the conversation and the authoritarian style of speech in the Trump era,” said Raskin, one of several members of Congress appointed by Joe Biden to serve on the bipartisan committee, the 11th. were about to receive amnesties in advance of the hour. The January 6, 2021 coup, and which Trump threatened to retaliate against.

The nature of the committee members facing the challenge was revealed within hours of Trump’s return to power when he pardoned nearly 1,600 rioters accused of involvement in the attack on the US Capitol.

Democrats also face pushback against a mandate — known as “disarmament of the federal government” — that opponents warn. Creates a road map for a returning president to exact legal revenge. Against those who conducted criminal investigations against him.

Cowan, whose work focuses on emotion regulation, According to his university biographyCampaigned against child separation policy for immigrant families during Trump’s first presidency wrote About its psychological effects on affected children.

Movius published blogs during Trump’s first administration about how his opponents should engage with his supporters.

Skip the newsletter promotion of the past.

In one, that Advised They “find something to admire about the other person or party”.

“Work hard to take the other person’s point of view,” he wrote. “It’s hard not to start an argument with someone when we hear something that we believe is wrong or misinformed. But asking questions to try to find out what they’re doing in a situation or Summarizing how you see or understand the problem, and what you have heard, is the first step in having a variety of conversations.

Leave a Comment