Writer Cory Doctorow has suggested that congressional Democrats form a Nuremberg Caucus to document crimes by the Trump administration and prepare for future trials. The initiative would create a public platform for evidence collection, aiming to ensure accountability and deter further abuses. Doctorow argues this approach draws from historical examples of punishing authoritarian actions in other democracies.
In a recent blog post, Cory Doctorow, known for coining the term enshittification, outlined the concept of a Nuremberg Caucus as a response to what he describes as the Trump regime's crimes, including corruption, concentration camps, and executions of US civilians by federal forces. The proposed caucus would serve as a public-facing platform where Democrats could compile evidence such as statements, video clips, and outrages from Trump officials and their supporters. Each piece of evidence would receive an exhibit number and annotations detailing associated criminal and civil violations. The platform would also announce trial dates after January 20, 2029, and specify courtrooms for officials at all levels.
Doctorow emphasized the need for accountability in healthy democracies, citing recent examples: South Korea's life imprisonment sentence for former President Yoon Suk-yeol over his 2024 martial law attempt, and long prison terms for former presidents in Peru and Brazil for coup efforts. He criticized former Attorney General Merrick Garland's decision not to charge Trump promptly for attempting to overturn the 2020 election, suggesting it contributed to the current situation.
In a phone discussion, Doctorow stated, “We’re talking about people who violated their oath of office. They are categorically unfit to be in public service, and they need to be kept away from the levers of power.” He argued the caucus could politically benefit Democrats by focusing attention on specific crimes with evidence and witness lists, forcing Republicans into a defensive position.
Beyond politics, Doctorow highlighted deterrent effects, noting that perceived impunity encourages brazen actions, such as those attributed to officials like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary Kristi Noem. He suggested extensions like reviewing Trump-approved mergers, IRS audits of the wealthy, and $1 million bounties for ICE officers providing evidence of human rights violations by colleagues.
Doctorow's idea, detailed in an article by Aaron Regunberg, could inspire either congressional action or nongovernmental efforts modeled on groups like the Commission for International Justice and Accountability, which collects evidence for international human rights cases.
