I'm not understanding what you mean by protective characteristics. I know that the hate crime statistics are self-reported, and the criteria can be wildly varied. I do agree that America is extremely polarized at this point.

My Dad is something of a WWII buff, and I grew up hearing about a battles in both the European and Pacific theaters. I'm aware that in addition to the 6 million Jews, Hitler exterminated disabled, mentally ill, gypsies and gays in large numbers as well. And I know of the Japanese internment camps. I know what the Japanese did to the Chinese. I'm not aware of any major battles in India or the extermination of 1 million Indians. I would like to know more about this little known piece of history, can you provide some links?

I personally think that the main comparison I see between Trump and Hitler is the fanaticism of their followers (although I'm seeing this in politics in general on both sides - if you don't agree with me you hate me! Everyone who thinks differently than me is stupid! If you don't like my "guy" you hate the country!). The things that otherwise intelligent Trumpsters will twist to justify has been shocking to me. To be fair, I saw the beginnings of this with Obama's followers too, I think it's just fully manifested with Trump.