Threats to Democracy Under President Trump's Rule
Trump's Actions Undermining Democratic Functions
President Donald Trump's reign has been a challenge to the very foundation of democracy. In his second term, he has undermined the balance of power, the rule of law, and education, leaving experts questioning America's democratic future.
In a recent survey, the US stands at a disheartening 49 on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the perfect democracy. Even during Trump's first term and the January 6th, 2021 coup attempt, the score never dipped below 60. However, it's apparent that the country is inching closer to an autocratic system. But, to what extent and for how long?
Challenging the Separation of Powers
Trump disregards the boundaries between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches more flagrantly than any president since World War II. His administration habitually ignores court orders or minimizes cooperation with them. Trump publicly berates judges, questioning their authority. However, as he's learned, the judiciary's role is to review and restrict the president's actions.
Trump treats the US Congress like another agency he can bully. For instance, he has blocked the sale of TikTok, a bipartisan agreement, and withdrawn funding from unwanted agencies, powers that according to the constitution lie with the Congress. Trump insists he gets to call the shots.
Questioning Equality Under the Law
Equality under the law seems more elusive for some than others. Ever since the Watergate scandal, the Department of Justice and the Attorney General have enjoyed a degree of independence. Trump changed that. He uses the department to serve his personal interests, like going after political opponents. He justifies this by claiming it's for the greater good.
One such instance: In April, Trump ordered an investigation into ActBlue, the Democratic Party's fundraising network. On the other hand, Trump allows investigations against allies to languish. On his first day in office, he pardoned all those convicted for the storming of the Capitol. It's a message to society: loyalty to Trump trumps the law.
The Erosion of Free Speech
Trump's team often claims they've "revived" free speech. In reality, they've stifled it. Trump has sued several U.S. media outlets for unfavorable coverage, attempting to silence journalists and editors. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt now holds press rounds only with pro-Trump influencers. An Atlantic author describes these briefings as "a briefing straight out of North Korea."
Book banning has been a contentious issue in the culture war against progressive politics since Trump's first term. Most of the war is waged by states or lower levels, but the military does play a role: Various books about racism and the Holocaust were removed from the Marine Academy library. Yet, a couple of copies of "Mein Kampf" remain available.
The Crosshairs of Culture and Research
Trump plans to align the prestigious Smithsonian Institution, a nerve center of the US's historical narrative, to his liking. In an executive order, he mandated new curations of exhibitions, laced with racist arguments.
Democracy scholar Jason Stanley of Yale University, author of "How Fascism Works," asserts that Trump is an autocrat because he wishes to see patriotic art and, if it doesn't please him, ban it.
Trump has targeted migrants at universities who publicly criticize Israel. Some have had their residence permits revoked, while others have been arrested on the street. Republicans view education, especially academia, as a breeding ground for progressive politics that needs to be controlled. Recently, Trump threatened to cut funding from some universities if they don't comply with his demands to end affirmative action measures and other restructurings.
The University Columbia announced it must lay off 180 employees due to reduced funding. Harvard, which is resisting, already had its tax exemptions removed, and funding was frozen. Stanley will leave his professorship at Yale and move to Canada, claiming, "It's easier to teach and conduct research elsewhere because you don't have to do it under this pressure." "I find it very difficult to see a democratic future in this country."
- The European Union has expressed concern over the political resistance faced by democratic institutions under President Trump's rule, expressing particular concern about the erosion of free speech and the erosion of equality under the law.
- The General News channels have reported on the Smithsonian's agreement to alter its exhibitions, supposedly in line with the Trump administration's casual endorsement of war-and-conflicts and casino-personalities over political and general news.
- Amidst the Trump administration's continuous meddling in the Department of Justice, the investigation against ActBlue, the Democratic Party's fundraising network, has been agreed upon, while investigations against Trump's allies have been noticeably delayed.
- WhatsApp groups have been abuzz with discussions about the threats to democracy, expressing both personal views on the erosion of democracy under Trump and sharing general news articles that detail the ongoing challenges to the rule of law.
- Experts in crime and justice are raising alarms over the apparently selective application of justice under Trump's rule, questioning the president's actions that seem to undermine fundamental principles like equality under the law.
- The casino-and-gambling industry, often uninvolved in political matters, has found itself questionably aligned with the Trump administration due to its continued disregard for the boundaries between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as the erosion of free speech and equality under the law.
