"Hitler, like Trump, was legitimately and democratically elected. Immediately on coming to power in 1933, he began issuing executive decrees and sidelining the parliamentary Reichstag. One of his first orders was the pardon and release of hundreds of his followers who had been jailed for violent attacks on left-wing supporters, for arson, and even for murder.

In late 1932, nine Nazi brownshirts murdered a German Communist Party member by kicking him to death in his own house in front of his family. Six were convicted, of whom five were sentenced to death. After the trial, Hitler sent them a telegram declaring his “boundless loyalty” to those thugs. After becoming Chancellor, he pardoned all of them.

Throughout the 1930s, many other Nazis convicted for murder and serious assaults by the few courts still willing to adhere to the law were pardoned, but by 1939 such brave judges and prosecutors had been purged, and the justice system became a wholly compliant tool of the regime.

Until a few days ago, neo-fascist Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, was serving a 22-year jail term for organising the January 6 violent insurrection, and Oath Keeper founder Stewart Rhodes was serving 18 years. Both were released by Trump. Their first utterances on walking free were to swear to vengeance on those in the judicial system who put them behind bars."

Sound familiar mon ami?