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The State of Democracy Under Trump's Second Term

Overview

Since his inauguration in January 2025, President Donald Trump has rapidly implemented policies that many believe threaten democratic norms in the United States. His actions echo those of leaders like Viktor Orbán in Hungary, who methodically consolidated power over a decade. However, Trump’s approach is far more aggressive, aiming to reshape the government within a single term.

Key Actions Undermining Democratic Institutions

1. Firing and Replacing Officials with Loyalists

  • Trump has aggressively purged career civil servants and replaced them with ultra-loyal MAGA supporters.
  • The Justice Department has been restructured to prioritize "accountability" for his political adversaries, removing officials involved in past investigations against him.
  • Independent agencies are under direct White House control, eliminating key checks on presidential power.

2. Controlling Congress

  • Trump is using his influence to primary any Republican opponents, securing a loyalist majority in the House and Senate.
  • GOP lawmakers have passed bills that expand executive power, many of which are facing legal challenges.
  • Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer faced backlash for supporting a controversial spending bill that Trump used to advance his agenda.

3. Militarization of Law Enforcement

  • Trump has signaled his intent to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow him to deploy the military against domestic protests.
  • The FBI and DOJ have been pressured to investigate and prosecute Trump’s political enemies.

4. Targeting the Media and Civil Society

  • Trump has proposed crackdowns on independent media outlets and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), mirroring Orbán’s tactics in Hungary.
  • The U.S. Digital Service has been rebranded as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aiming to centralize control over federal operations.

Election Manipulation and Power Consolidation

1. State-Level Election Interference

  • Republican-controlled states are introducing new laws to limit voting access, potentially allowing them to refuse to certify unfavorable election results.
  • Electoral gerrymandering is being used to secure long-term control over Congress.

2. Potential for a Delayed or Canceled Election

  • If facing defeat in 2028, Trump could declare a national emergency or allege widespread fraud to justify postponing elections.
  • With a compliant Supreme Court, legal challenges to such actions may be unsuccessful.

International and Economic Implications

  • Trump has launched large-scale military operations in Yemen, citing threats to global security.
  • His trade policies, including new tariffs, have sparked concerns about a possible recession in 2025.
  • His administration’s isolationist stance is straining U.S. relations with traditional allies.

Public Sentiment and Resistance

  • Polls indicate extreme political polarization, with Trump supporters embracing his agenda while opponents warn of authoritarian overreach.
  • Civil rights groups, legal experts, and grassroots organizations are mobilizing to counteract efforts to erode democratic safeguards.

What Can Be Done?

  1. Public Awareness & Resistance

    • Informing voters about Trump’s power grab is crucial.
    • Exposing corruption and authoritarian tactics through independent media and legal action.

  2. Strengthening Voting Rights & Legal Protections

    • Advocating for state-level protections against election interference.
    • Implementing ranked-choice voting and fair districting to counter gerrymandering.

  3. Holding Officials Accountable

    • Pressuring lawmakers to resist Trump's overreach.
    • Supporting independent judiciary efforts to uphold constitutional protections.

Conclusion

The trajectory of Trump’s second term indicates an accelerated push toward authoritarianism, bypassing traditional checks and balances. Unlike Viktor Orbán, who took over a decade to consolidate power, Trump is moving at an unprecedented speed. The next few months are critical—without sustained resistance, the United States may no longer resemble a constitutional democracy by 2026.