Charlie Pierce over at Esquire used to write that it was in the state houses across this great land where “the real job of governmentin’ gets done,” and it is true that during the formation of the country, the state houses themselves were envisioned as “little laboratories of democracy.” Given the optimism of the time, they surely believed that good ideas would percolate up to be used more broadly while the failed experiments would, well – fail. There would also otherwise be a presumption that wholly anti-democratic endeavors would explode in the centrifuge – which is what will likely happen to a new proposed bill in Minnesota, where at least one legislator wants to amend the state code to make “Trump Derangement Syndrome” a mental illness. We don’t yet know how the bill’s sponsor would propose to treat the original “Obama Derangement Syndrome” that became so prevalent before being co-opted by the MAGA movement, or if he even knows of the condition.
It is probably really important to keep this light and breeze through because it certainly isn’t hard to envision how governments throughout history have used accusations of mental illness to round up political prisoners. So per a report brought to us from MSNews, we see:
A controversial bill introduced in the Minnesota Senate seeks to modify the state’s definition of mental illness by including a new condition labeled Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). The bill, if enacted, would amend Minnesota Statutes 2024 to formally recognize TDS as a mental health disorder.
The proposed legislation, introduced during Minnesota’s Ninety-Fourth Legislative Session, aims to redefine mental illness under state law. It seeks to amend Sections 245.462 and 245I.02 of the Minnesota Statutes to include Trump Derangement Syndrome alongside other recognized mental health conditions.
According to the bill, TDS is described as an “acute onset of paranoia” in response to the policies and presidencies of Donald J. Trump.
If the new legislation was formatted like a dictionary and they give examples of the term in use, it may elaborate that such paranoia manifests itself “in those who believe that Trump will label his critics as mentally ill and thus in need of treatment by the state.”
The example was funnier before I saw it written out.
As bad as it is – and it really is bad because even though we trust that Minnesota’s legislature will have the sense to slap this down, it still leaves 49 other rogue labs out there, all filled with little dweebs in white coats looking to stick their syringes into the arms of someone pointing out “this is crazy!” But as bad as it is, there is reason to believe that this is more of a one-off and not part of a broader effort. The bill was introduced by state Sen. Eric Lucero, who – in November 2020 sued to block the counting of absentee ballots because he said that doing so would “dilute” Republican votes “as a matter of pure arithmetic.” This is not a mad scientist, just some guy who is mad.
For now, we hope that the principles of Jeffersonian democracy rest safely in the arms of other Minnesota legislators who will limit all discussions regarding “TDS” to social media and all possible treatment in the ballot box.
Hard to believe they haven’t won a statewide election since 2006 https://t.co/EVrTa68Lhm
— Andy Kaczynski (@KFILE) March 15, 2025
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mental disorders are defined by psychiattists after lengthy consultation, not by legislators. This is the equivalent of legally setting pi to equal 3.
This moron thinks he’s a psychiatrist. Or perhaps smarter than someone who did 4years of college,,4 years of med school, and 5 years of residency. The arrogance and stupidity of GOPers know no bounds
Trump Derangement Syndrome is obviously being mis-diagnosed.
The truly deranged are the ones who insist Trump isn’t.
Lucero is on the right track, he’s just mistaken as to who truly has this derangement syndrome. But then, that’s how it is with mental illness, the afflicted often think they’re “poifectly” fine, it’s everyone else who’s behaving strangely. The only small surprise here is the origin point of this piece of Tangerine Jesus ass kissing legislation, I would have expected something like this to come from some ruby red state in the vicinity of the Mississsippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, or maybe one of the the Carolinas. Then I remember that most of these states rank low in statistics like education and IQ so maybe not.
I think Lucero has ambitions for federal office and this will get him noticed. This guy is my senator. I am so embarrassed. I write him often. I usually get a derogatory reply. Our state legislative activity is on PBS. (often live) I have seen him berate a black female senator because her amendment didn’t include the portion of the statute that would not change, therefore he didn’t have access to it. He was too lazy to look it up. He used this as an excuse to berate her. He is such an ass. Unfortunately, we live in a red district. His counterpart, our state rep is respectful in his replies, even when our views differ.