Fundamental Questions

America's democratic credentials are slipping

(National Guard troops deployed in Washington, DC [Jose Luis Magana/AP])

Over six months into Trump’s second term, there are good reasons to consider what kind of country the United States is becoming.

During Trump’s first term, the damage to institutions was contained. Despite the monstrous spectre of an outgoing president inciting mob violence in the Capitol, Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 showed democracy in America was intact.

Trump in 2025 has a clearer and more ruthless plan to reshape the country. His autocratic bent is now on open display: as recently as this week, Trump claimed Americans ‘would prefer a dictator.’ ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator,’ he said.

Trump’s motive for staying in office or controlling the succession is crystal clear: he wishes to avoid criminal prosecution that could ensue under a political adversary. In Wiles, Miller, Epshteyn, Bannon and many others, Trump has a team willing to work outside constitutional norms. Given the chance, they would happily pull up the ladder of democracy to govern by fiat and intimidation, in lieu of universal suffrage.