The current situation in the United States is familiar to scholars of mass atrocities, and it's not pretty:

1) Incumbent affiliated with traditionally dominant identity group in danger of losing power in upcoming elections

2) Rhetorical dehumanization of minority groups

3) Segments of security forces weaponized against minority groups and operating with effective impunity

4) Pro-government militias operating with impunity

5) Political leaders normalizing violence through public rhetoric and open threats

6) Incumbent attempting to intimidate (Twitter) or co-opt (Facebook) platforms for dissemination of information

7) Broader context of emergency (COVID19)

8) Opponents of regime portrayed as enemies of the state

9) Exclusionary discourses about who is and who is not a "real" member of the national community

10) and, of course, a history of prior atrocities for which there has been limited (if any) accountability, or even truthful acknowledgement