the state used to keep the liberal pretense of political rights intact, and now the state is becoming more brazen and dangerous in exercising power and demonstrating political and legal impotence of the public

In a way, it never really mattered. Just as colonialists found ways of justifying killing, raping, enslaving, and stealing in the name of Christ centuries ago, the American state will find ways of justifying doing fascism in the name of freedom and democracy.