Early on in Trump’s presidency it was Arendtsplaining: “It’s not really ‘fascism’ because, as Arendt wrote, [bla bla wa wa wa].” Now, at the end, it’s coupsplaining: “It’s not really a ‘coup’ because it doesn’t meet x, y, z criterion…” This kind of pedantry is boring in the best of times, but in uncertain times it’s really inane. It doesn’t matter if what’s happening really meets the dictionary definition of a ‘coup’; what matters are the real risks and ramifications, short- and long-term. The [Washington Post] opinion piece at the bottom of this is a shining example of this kind of stupid: “an accurate assessment of whether the US is in the midst of a coup matters because the tactics that work to prevent successful coups are different from those needed to prevent other forms of authoritarian power grabs.” And what are those tactics? 1500 words later: “putting public pressure on civilian elites within the Republican Party to veer from their present reckless course.” WHOA! Except…the author’s entire premise is false.