The United States has witnessed significant shifts in governance and civil liberties since Donald Trump assumed the presidency in 2017. His administration’s attempts to undermine democratic norms and tenets of democracy with it have been alarming to many scholars and political analysts. It’s this trend that has some critical, yet extremely alarming elements. It includes a retreat from international human rights standards, a promotion of status-affirming religious expression, and an increasing admiration for autocratic rule.
One of the most notable actions taken by Trump was the withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council. This withdrawal marked a sharp turn from America’s tradition of defending global human rights norms. Critics contend that this withdrawal undermines international human rights movements. Authoritarian regimes, like the one in Russia, are emboldened by this hypocrisy.
Another contentious Trump decision was the discharge of transgender service members in the military. This is especially true after the recent policy change sparked incredible backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights organizations. They viewed the legislation as an infringement upon personal freedoms and a blatant affront to the notion of equality itself. The court’s ruling is consistent with a larger pattern in Trump’s administration toward disadvantaging women, minorities and other members of society.
Trump’s presidency has benefited Christianity, shining a spotlight on violations of the separation between church and state. This undue favoritism has caused an outcry among critics. Critics fear that Trump’s policies are advancing the interests of one religion over others. This exclusionary approach goes against the very pluralistic foundation that America was built upon. A lot of fellow travelers on Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement seem to strongly identify with this privileging of Christianity. Others argue that this position protects white, male privilege.
Trump’s love of autocrats and authoritarian leaders has received a fair amount of attention as well. Political observers have started speculating about his fidelity to democratic norms. They cite as examples his admiration for world leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. Should he regain the presidency, there are concerns that he may appoint individuals who share his authoritarian tendencies, further dismantling democratic checks and balances.
Furthermore, Trump’s inflammatory immigration rhetoric has certainly contributed to an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. He constantly invokes a made-up “invasion” at the southern border to defend his extreme policies. Yet despite the obstructionist Democrats’ dire predictions, evidence actually suggests that border crossings are at historic lows in U.S. history. This recurring narrative has provided cover for his push for draconian measures. He goes so far as to recommend unilaterally suspending habeas corpus so that immigrants can be summarily detained.
The hurtling train that has been the Trump administration’s unprecedented actions previously often blasted through critical civil liberties and legal guards. In recent years, observers have noted a disturbing trend. When his administration uses law enforcement as a political weapon by launching investigations into Trump’s political enemies like media outlets and Democratic donors, Trump’s administration has crossed this line. These actions contribute to what Daniel Stockemer describes as “a more incremental form of democratic erosion.”
“Since Donald Trump’s inauguration, the country has embarked on the slippery slope toward autocracy.” – Daniel Stockemer
The impact of Trump’s presidency extends beyond policy changes. It has altered Americans’ behavior and perceptions of governance. Only now are citizens experiencing the true impact of speaking out against government actions. This has had a suppressive effect on free expression.
“We propose a simple metric: the cost of opposing the government.” – Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way, and Daniel Ziblatt
The degradation of democratic norms under Trump’s rule was on full display during the State of the Nation and permeates every aspect of our governance. The accumulation of executive power without checks or balances and the precedent it sets for a future administration to operate without accountability is deeply troubling. Analysts are cautioning that if approved, these developments will set a dangerous precedent. Later leaders might take advantage of Trump’s open contempt for constitutional limits.
Trump’s administration has aggressively attacked scientific consensus on issues such as climate change and public health, undermining trust in expertise. The ongoing attack on science has further eroded confidence in the information coming from government sources. The outcome, though, is that public opinion is twisting further into a partisan divide.
“If my theory is correct, the U.S. is still in this transition phase between democracy and autocracy.” – Daniel Stockemer
As Trump continues to voice ambitions for a potential third term, an action many regard as unconstitutional, his supporters remain fiercely loyal. What we know about the MAGA movement is just how deep the loyalty runs among rank-and-file Republicans. In this atmosphere, dissent has become the enemy.
The full ramifications of Trump’s presidency won’t be seen for years to come. Political analysts warn that while it is easy to dismantle democratic institutions, rebuilding trust in governance is a complex and lengthy process.
“It is very easy to destroy something, but it takes a long time to rebuild it both physically and also in a trust sense, both in America and abroad.” – Daniel Stockemer
Leave a Reply