I have always associated the term “KKK” with the words “menace,” “evil,” and “cowardice.” There is another trio of bona fide “K” words that are equally alarming — and sadly! — define the Trump regime.

Kakistocracy: Government run by the worst, least qualified, and/or most unscrupulous citizens.

Kratocracy: Government by those powerful enough to seize control through force, social persuasion, psychological manipulation, or deceptive cunning.

Kleptocracy: Government in which officials are politically corrupt and financially self-interested.

After Donald J. Trump’s 2020 defeat, I feared that the reigning Republicans would continue to perpetrate these doctrines on our citizens by using the Judicial and Legislative branches of our government. But, thankfully, we had more guardrails in place and someone in the Executive Branch to pump the brakes.

We no longer have those protections. It is unspeakably sobering and frightening that we have the Trump “Family and Friends” apparatus (now accompanied by Project 2025 and Elon Musk) moving yet again into the White House … and onto the Supreme Court … and into Congress … and, thus, into our private lives.

Authoritarianism begins with an “A”; but it definitely belongs in the “K” word category.

Kathy Fox

Augusta