Trump's Return to Power: A Threat to U.S. Democracy, Fly by Night Style
The specter of Donald Trump returning to the White House has Democrats and some Republicans on high alert, fearing a potential dangers to America's democratic institutions. If the former president manages to snatch victory from under President Joe Biden's nose in the 2024 election, some are warning of a dangerous, autocratic reign.
"No, no. Except for the first day," Trump nonchalantly told Fox News viewers when asked whether he would become a "dictator" if reelected. His response: he'd use day one to enact drastic measures like closing the southern border with Mexico and ramping up oil drilling.
But the conversation didn't end there. Trump was pressed twice more to deny that he'd abuse his power to go after political opponents. The admission, though veiled, sent chills down the spines of his critics.
Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden's campaign manager, quickly weighed in, asserting "Donald Trump has told us exactly what he will do if he is reelected, and tonight he said he will be a dictator on day one."
Meanwhile, former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a vocal Trump critic, went so far as to warn of a "very real" threat of a "Trump dictatorship" if he wins a second term.
But what exactly would a day-one Trump presidency look like, and what wider threats to democracy could follow in its wake?
The Executive Power Threat
Trump's presidency was marked by a prolific use of executive orders. Some challenged constitutional rights, like his controversial birthright citizenship order, while others pardoned politically connected individuals in what many saw as acts of retaliation.
Voting Rights and Elections
Democrats are concerned about Trump's history of purging voter rolls, threatening voter turnout, and pushing for stricter voting laws that could suppress minority turnout.
Departments of Justice and Civil Rights
Between the targeting of political opponents and his efforts to weaken the FBI's election threat unit, Trump's controversial approach to justice and civil liberties will remain a sticking point.
Judicial Appointments and Checks on Power
The presence of Trump-appointed judges in key positions could impact the judiciary's ability to provide checks on the executive branch.
Public Perception and Fear of Authoritarianism
Trump's volatile public statements and legal actions against media outlets and universities have eroded trust in America's institutions and cultivated an environment hostile to dissent.
Future Conflict
There are fears that Trump's history of contesting election results could sow chaos and conflict if he loses again in 2024.
The broader political landscape in America in 2024 is uncertain. But one thing is clear: if Donald Trump is reelected, the lessons of his first term should remind us of the fragile nature of democracy, and remind us of the importance of vigilance against authoritarianism.
