Democrats participated in McConnell's charade of a confirmation instead of boycotting because they didn't want to "politicize" it. Now Trump has a party with Barrett, proudly desecrating the separation of powers.

The GOP wants tribalism, with no separation between Republican presidents and GOP in Congress and in the courts. This is not politics as usual at all. It's an attempt at one-party rule, a minority party at that, and it's dangerous.

Turning parliament and the courts into loyal servants of the president is the goal of every would-be autocrat. From Russia to Turkey to Hungary, this has been the roadmap. The US is far stronger, but not immune.

There will be many crises in the coming weeks. Trump and his dictator backers abroad have much at stake and they aren't going to play by rules Americans recognize. We will see who is only role-playing at democracy and who is willing to fight for it.