Evan McMullinVerified account

3. But there is no issue more important for conservatives, and ALL Americans, than liberty and the defense of our constitutional republic.

4. Without liberty, no right, no policy, no life, no dignity, no word, no truth, no future is secure.

5. Authoritarians always placate their partisan disciples with coveted policies so they'll turn a blind eye to liberty's erosion.

6. Trump and Steve Bannon are now feeding political catnip to conservatives for this very reason. And it's working.

7. Many conservatives and other Americans won't see or understand this scheme as our liberties slip away gradually and without fanfare.

8. But others do see and understand exactly what's happening. We understand the sheer peril of untruth and the loss of checks on power.

9. We are they who bear the responsibility of opposing authoritarianism in the defense of liberty with of all of our might.

10. Doing so isn't easy. In fact, many will stare into the eyes of authoritarianism and decide they lack the courage to resist it.