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Trump's Autocratic Transformation: Danger to US Democracy!
The article highlights the challenges of US democracy under Donald Trump's presidency since January 2025, including authoritarian tendencies, political tensions and upcoming midterms.
Trump's Autocratic Transformation: Danger to US Democracy!
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump took office as US President for the second time, and he referred to this day as “Liberation Day.” What many see as a seizure of power is the beginning of a “golden age” for Trump. But developments in the US since he took office raise serious questions, not only about democracy, but also about the humanity under his administration. [NDR] reports that Trump has since been pushing for a restructuring of the constitutional state towards a totalitarian system.
The way Trump governs is characterized by decrees and a systematic dismantling of the separation of powers. This allows him ideological control over education and the media as well as legal reinterpretations of his powers. Political opponents are increasingly intimidated, highlighting an alarming trend toward autocracy. Julia Simon notes in a report on Fluter that US democracy is showing signs of fascist tendencies. The liberal, constitutional order is under massive attack here.
The context of power
The separation of powers, which was considered the foundation of US democracy for decades, is in serious jeopardy under Trump. Observers see signs of the impending end of US democracy. The focus is on attacks on judges and the independence of the judiciary. Judges are verbally attacked and court rulings ignored. Even academic freedom and freedom of expression are in danger; An example is the case of a foreign doctoral student who was arrested because she wrote a critical article in a student newspaper. Her visa was revoked and she spent six weeks in detention. Another sign of the worrying developments, as [BPB] also reports.
Trump is governing under pressure to get his policies through Congress. Republicans currently have the majority, which means they are behind Trump and fear opposition to him. Congress is responsible for controlling the executive branch, passing laws, and approving financial resources. But since Trump took office, the relationship between the legislative and executive branches has become highly polarized. Trump's popularity ratings are structurally low and prices are not falling as much as he promised.
A look at the future
The midterms in November 2026 could bring a turnaround, as Democrats have recently enjoyed success in four states and may be able to win back the House of Representatives. But the challenges are great. The aggressive foreign policy and the brutal crackdown on migrants strengthen the image of an autocratic regime. An incident in Minneapolis in which an ICE agent shot and killed an American woman was portrayed by the government as self-defense. Such actions contribute to intimidation, and many citizens are wondering in which direction the US will drift under Trump.
Meanwhile, Congress remains the central institution in this historic back and forth. Through the constitutional separation of powers, it has the ability to control the executive branch and ensure the balance of power. But whether this will happen in time remains to be seen. The concerns about democracy in the USA are real, and the political developments under Trump are more extensive than many expected, according to [NDR].