On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere famously rode through the streets of Massachusetts to warn residents about the approach of British troops, which culminated in the Battle of Lexington and Concord that kicked off America’s war for independence.

Now, 250 years later, U.S. Sen. Angus King is giving his own warning over what he sees as the imminent collapse of American democracy under President Donald Trump.

In an interview with writer, historian and Lincoln County resident Heather Cox Richardson, Maine’s independent senator discussed why this inflection point in American history is so resonant today.

“I believe we are in one of the most dangerous places our country has been in since the founding, because what is happening before our eyes is the collapse of the constitutional structure that the framers designed to protect us from the inevitable abuse that comes from the concentration of power,” King said, explaining that the U.S. Constitution purposefully divided power between the Legislature — or Congress — the President and the courts.

“But here’s what’s happening right now,” he said, “is that the executive branch is seizing more and more power.

“There are two levels of things going on here: one is bad and the other is dangerous,” he said. “There are bad things like what [the Department of Government Efficiency] is doing and messing around with Social Security and this sending people to El Salvador. That’s really bad, but what’s dangerous is the way it’s being done, by essentially violating the plain intent of the Constitution, by having the President be the legislator and the executive at the same time, that’s a recipe for the loss of our freedom.”

And for people who are “cheering on his agenda” and saying, “Well, we don’t care that he’s doing all this unconstitutional stuff,” King said, “They’re going to care because eventually the Eye of Sauron is going to turn on them,” referencing the evil, all-powerful symbol in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.”

And while the courts are “doing pretty well so far” in pushing back, King repeatedly expressed alarm over what he sees as Congress’ abdication of its duty and the complicity of his Republican colleagues.

“What we have is a test between institutional loyalty, constitutional loyalty, and party loyalty. And so my Republican colleagues — who I’m doing everything I can to sort of peel off to say, ‘Enough is enough’ — so far, haven’t been willing to take that step,” he said. “They’re in control of the Senate, they’re in control of the House, and they’re looking at getting their tax bill through and getting their budget bill through, rather than what’s happening to the structure of our government in the process.”

He also said that he believes many Republicans are not speaking up because of Trump’s threat to challenge dissenters in upcoming elections by running primary opponents financed by billionaire advisor Elon Musk.

King also spoke about the frustration among voters, acknowledging the most frequent question he hears is, “I’m mad as hell. What can I do?’”

“They can get together, they can talk to each other, they can reach out to their neighbors,” King said. “They can participate in peaceful demonstrations that indicate to people like me that people want change, that they’re concerned…They also can communicate to our offices.”

He said American people actually have a lot of power and that members of Congress are influenced when they hear stories from constituents about how Trump’s actions are having a real negative impact on their lives — such as someone whose Social Security check didn’t come or a veteran unable to get a medical appointment.

“Believe it or not, anecdotes matter,” King said, “and so when people are in touch with us, if they are specific about what’s going on and what’s affecting them in their real life, that’s the kind of thing that breaks through with members of Congress — that their constituents are being hurt — and that’s one of the reasons I think we may see some progress on this over the next two or three weeks, because the damage that’s being done is just starting to manifest itself out in the communities.”

But King acknowledged he is “an optimist.”

As for Paul Revere, Maine is celebrating his midnight ride with a series of events that will feature the lighting of lanterns and lighthouses throughout the state. Organized by the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission, several of the ceremonies will include the reading of the famous 1861 poem by Portland native Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” which concludes:

Maine Morning Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maine Morning Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lauren McCauley for questions: [email protected].

For the first time in several years, Maine is dealing with a budget deficit and will be forced to make some tough decisions to close the projected $450 million gap.

One idea that seems like a no-brainer but appears to be off the table for Gov. Janet Mills and legislative Republicans: taxing the wealthiest a little bit more.

As things stand, any individual making more than $61,600 is taxed $3,911 plus 7.15% of excess over that amount. Couples filing jointly making $123,250 or more are taxed $7,825 plus 7.15% of excess. That means that someone making less than the state’s median household income is taxed at the very same rate as the wealthiest person in Maine.

Carving out an additional tax bracket for those at the very top of the pay scale would bring in much-needed revenue. And let’s be clear, the millionaires are doing just fine.

On the federal level, we know that the Trump administration, with congressional support, is going to extend (if not expand) his signature tax cuts, which specifically benefit corporations and the wealthy. We know he’s going to let Wall Street run wild. We know his billionaire pals are going to continue to thrive while Congress slashes funding for health care, education, and environmental initiatives among many others. (Here’s a list of ideas they are discussing to pay for the tax cuts and immigration crackdown).

These cuts are sure to trickle down to Maine, putting a greater burden on the state budget in order for it to continue to provide these essential services.

If the state doubles down and focuses its cuts on programs that will most impact Mainers with lower incomes, it could be devastating. Rather, we should be counteracting these measures by asking those at the tippy top to pay a little more.

Mills’ budget proposal does raise taxes but in ways that are regressive, like the $1 increase in the cigarette tax, which will be felt more by those who make $300 a week than those who make $3,000. Republican leaders have said flat out that they won’t agree to a budget that raises taxes at all — even for the wealthiest.

Last year, the governor vetoed a bill (introduced by a Republican and passed with bipartisan support) to create three new income tax brackets with higher rates for wealthier residents. In her veto message, she argued the process behind the bill was not transparent and said it would not deliver meaningful relief for the lowest income Mainers.

But in addition to relief, the state sorely needs revenue.

During her budget address this week, the governor spoke directly to those calling to “tax the rich,” saying doing so would disrupt the “stability and predictability” that “entrepreneurs and investors looking at Maine” depend on.

“Changing our income or sales taxes in order to raise revenue would discourage investments we very much need to keep our economy on track,” she said. “Investors are looking for a stable fiscal climate and they in turn will bring good, high-paying jobs, raising the standard of living, and growing the economy.”

However, this threat of financial ruin came after she herself touted the strength of Maine’s economic growth (“outpacing the national average, including the rest of New England”) with more than 17,800 new businesses opening in the state last year.

She also acknowledged, “While not everyone is feeling it, our economy is strong.”

That sounds to me like an argument to spread it around a little bit more.

If the governor is concerned about going back on her 2022 pledge not to raise taxes or fears Republicans will use it as a campaign talking point, why not let them own it? Let theirs be the party that cuts services to protect millionaires’ earnings.

Many within the Democratic Party say it needs to position itself as the party of working people, not the elite. Raising taxes on the richest people in the state in order to preserve health care coverage for the poorest, or give caregivers a raise, or expand access to child care would probably go over well with the vast majority of voters.

Isn’t that an idea worthy of consideration?

Maine Morning Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maine Morning Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lauren McCauley for questions: [email protected].