President Trump has stated that the attendance for his inauguration exceeded previous inaugurations in spite of evidence to the contrary.

When confronted by proof that the statements about the inauguration were false, his Counselor, K. Conway, stated that the basis for the assertion is “alternative facts.” This is in itself trivial; however, the gravity of this position is serious.

In Germany of the 1930’s, Hitler constantly repeated falsehoods until they were believed. Hitler blamed the problems of Germany on the Jews, an “alternative fact.” Trump repeats false claims about the attendance at his inauguration and terrorism in the country being caused by Muslim immigrants. In 1930 Germany, as in 2016, “alternative facts” when constantly repeated are accepted as truths.

Germany in the Nazi period, the party had representatives at all levels of the government to ensure that the policies of its leader were faithfully executed, regardless of their truth.

Steve Bannon, the President’s policy advisor, has been appointed to the National Security Council (NSC) while Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff and the National Security Agency may be invited to attend. Unlike all previous administrations, the United States is implementing a similar practice for NSC where allegiance to the leader and ideological purity takes precedence over real facts and rational judgement of the most informed parties.

We should support those who believe that decisions should be based on real facts, not alternative facts and “gut decisions.” We must also ensure that the principles of free press, which questions decisions based on “alternative facts,” are not threatened.

We are dangerously going down the path followed by Germany in the 1930’s. Hopefully, our fundamental beliefs in justice and fairness will save us from a similar outcome. I have personally lived under two dictatorships and am not looking forward to a third.