2026 House Resolution 363

Whereas, Authoritarianism is a form of government or political conduct characterized by the concentration of power, the weakening of independent institutions, the suppression of political opposition and dissent, the restriction of a free press, the use of intimidation or political violence, and the elevation of loyalty to a leader, party, or movement above constitutional government and the rule of law; and

Whereas, History demonstrates that authoritarianism can arise through different political movements and ideologies, but repeatedly relies upon similar methods of consolidating and maintaining power, including attacks upon democratic institutions, suppression of dissent, political repression, propaganda, scapegoating, and the use of government authority against perceived enemies; and

Whereas, Benito Mussolini’s Fascist regime in Italy weakened representative institutions, eliminated meaningful political opposition, restricted freedom of the press, used political violence and intimidation, and transformed public institutions into instruments of political power; and

Whereas, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party exploited fear, racism, nationalism, and economic uncertainty to gain power, discredit democratic institutions, destroy an independent press, eliminate political opposition, persecute minorities, and establish a dictatorship in which the law served the will of those in power rather than equal justice; and

Whereas, Joseph Stalin’s government in the Soviet Union demonstrated that authoritarian rule could likewise emerge under a different political ideology through the concentration of political power, suppression of dissent, political purges, censorship, imprisonment, forced labor, and the use of state institutions to enforce loyalty to the ruling government; and

Whereas, Francisco Franco’s authoritarian regime in Spain and other authoritarian governments throughout history demonstrated how political repression, censorship, persecution, intimidation, and the weakening of democratic institutions can be used to consolidate political power regardless of the ideology invoked to justify that power; and

Whereas, The consequences of authoritarian rule have repeatedly included political imprisonment, torture, persecution, forced displacement, aggressive war, suppression of fundamental freedoms, and mass death, demonstrating the human cost that can result when governmental power is no longer constrained by law and accountable democratic institutions; and

Whereas, The central lesson of history is that democratic societies must recognize authoritarian conduct before repression reaches its most extreme form, because by the time the destruction of democratic institutions is obvious, the institutions capable of defending them may already have been dismantled; and

Whereas, No public official may lawfully place personal will above the Constitution, disregard judicial decisions, evade statutory limits, or claim powers that belong exclusively to another branch of government, because the rule of law means that those who govern are bound by the same laws they are sworn to uphold; and

Whereas, Free and fair elections are the foundation of representative government, and any effort to overturn, obstruct, manipulate, or undermine lawful elections is an attack upon the right of the people to choose their own government; and

Whereas, Authoritarian movements have historically treated political opponents not as fellow citizens with whom they disagree, but as enemies to be investigated, punished, threatened, silenced, or otherwise targeted through the power of government; and

Whereas, A free press is essential to democracy, and the deliberate intimidation, punishment, exclusion, or use of governmental power against journalists and news organizations for unfavorable coverage is incompatible with a free society; and

Whereas, The right to criticize those in power, organize politically, assemble peacefully, and protest governmental action belongs to the people and does not depend upon whether those in power approve of the views being expressed; and

Whereas, A government that claims the power to ignore the law when convenient, reward those loyal to it, punish those who oppose it, silence those who criticize it, or use the force of the state against those who resist it possesses characteristics of authoritarianism regardless of the party, person, or ideology through which that power is exercised; and

Whereas, The people of Michigan have a duty to reject the false choice between patriotism and democracy, because genuine patriotism requires loyalty to the Constitution, the rule of law, free elections, and the rights of the people rather than unquestioning loyalty to any individual leader or political movement; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 21-27, 2026, as Condemnation of Authoritarianism Week in the state of Michigan. We unequivocally condemn authoritarianism in all its forms and reject the methods by which authoritarian governments historically obtain and maintain power; and be it further

Resolved, That we condemn efforts to place any individual above the law; disregard constitutional limits or lawful judicial authority; undermine free and fair elections; use the powers of government for political retaliation; intimidate or punish a free press; suppress peaceful protest; scapegoat minority communities; tolerate political violence; shield political allies from accountability; or use public office for private enrichment; and be it further

Resolved, That we reject the principle that political loyalty can excuse unlawful conduct, that disagreement constitutes disloyalty, that criticism of those in power is an attack upon the nation, or that any public official’s personal interests take precedence over the Constitution and the public good; and be it further

Resolved, That we reaffirm that no President, Governor, legislator, judge, political leader, or other public official is above the law, and that the powers entrusted to government exist to serve the people rather than to protect the power, wealth, or personal interests of those who govern; and be it further

Resolved, That we call upon all elected officials and public servants to defend democratic institutions, respect lawful elections and the peaceful transfer of power, protect the freedoms of speech, the press, assembly, and protest, reject political violence and organized hatred, and oppose authoritarianism regardless of the political party, movement, individual, or ideology through which it presents itself; and be it further

Resolved, That we affirm that the strongest defense against authoritarianism is the willingness of citizens and public officials to identify abuses of governmental power, defend constitutional limits, protect democratic institutions, and reject the concentration of political power in any individual, party, or movement.