In today’s political reality, the term “dictator” often evokes images of leaders who have absolute power, quash all dissent, and rule with an iron fist. However, modern autocrats rarely fit this stereotypical mold.

Instead, they operate in the gray areas of democracy, pushing boundaries, distorting rules, and exploiting legal loopholes. The actions of convicted felon and the current occupant of the White House, Donald Trump, have led many observers to question whether he qualifies already as a functional dictator under a more realistic, contemporary definition.

This editorial review explores how Trump’s behavior aligns with six key authoritarian markers, which include undermining elections, expanding executive power, weaponizing justice, silencing dissent, aligning with authoritarian regimes, and disregarding constitutional limits.

While he has not reached the point of fully dismantling American democracy, Trump has demonstrated clear tendencies and taken action that weaken democratic institutions.

UNDERMINING ELECTIONS

Elections are the bedrock of any democracy. In a functioning democratic system, leaders who lose accept the results, ensure a peaceful transfer of power and allow the electorate to decide their fate in the next cycle. However, during the 2020 election, Trump engaged in tactics that were deliberately aimed at undermining this process.

Claiming Fraud Without Evidence: Trump had documented proof that he lost the election but repeatedly lied about how the process was “rigged” against him. Despite a lack of credible evidence to support such claims, he filed numerous lawsuits and demanded recounts in key battleground states. That persistent narrative sowed doubt among his MAGA supporters and cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Pressure on State Officials: Another critical sign of undermining elections was Trump’s effort to influence state officials. News emerged of his phone call with Georgia’s secretary of state, in which he pressed for “finding” enough votes to overturn the state’s results. Such pressure tactics are alarming in a democracy, as they suggest that the leader values personal victory over the integrity of the electoral system.

Restrictive Voting Laws: In the broader Republican Party, there have been legislative moves in various states like Wisconsin to impose restrictions that disproportionately affect minority voters. While not all the measures can be directly attributed to Trump alone – and were already part of the GOP’s gerrymandering efforts to rig elections in their favor – his rhetoric helped galvanize lawmakers across the nation to introduce laws that suppressed opposition votes.

Refusal to Concede: Trump’s decision not to concede the 2020 election despite losing both the popular vote and the Electoral College set a dangerous precedent. By continually claiming victory and dismissing the official count, he challenged the constitutional process of determining the presidency.

By sowing distrust in the electoral process and encouraging legal changes that limit the ability of certain groups vote, Trump set a troubling precedent. That pattern aligns with how modern autocrats worldwide chip away at democratic norms, often by first targeting the credibility of elections.

EXPANDING EXECUTIVE POWER

In a system of checks and balances, the executive branch works in tandem with the legislative and judicial branches to pass and enforce laws. However, autocratic leaders seek to bypass legislative deliberation. Trump has displayed an insatiable lust for consolidating executive power.

Overuse of Executive Orders: Trump signed numerous executive orders to implement policy changes without seeking congressional approval. From immigration restrictions to economic regulations, these orders allowed him to make sweeping decisions with minimal input from lawmakers. While executive orders are not uncommon, the frequency and scope of Trump’s orders raised alarms about executive overreach.

Declaring National Emergencies: Another sign was the declaration of multiple national emergencies. One of the most notable was the 2019 emergency declaration on the southern border to redirect funds for building a border wall. Critics argued that the measure bypassed Congress, which had the constitutional power to determine the budget and appropriations.

Reclassifying Federal Employees: Toward the end of his first term, an executive order was introduced to reclassify certain federal employees. The move aimed to make it easier to hire and fire career civil servants. By bringing those positions under political control, a president could eliminate those deemed insufficiently loyal. If fully implemented in his second term, it would erode the independence of federal agencies.

Taken together, these actions display a concerted effort to expand presidential power beyond traditional boundaries, and the guardrails established in the Constitution. Modern dictators often use similar tactics: relying on decrees and manipulating institutional rules to silence opposition in legislative bodies.

WEAPONIZING JUSTICE

A fair and impartial justice system serves as a crucial defense against government overreach. By ensuring accountability for all, regardless of political affiliation, it safeguards the democratic process. However, when leaders politicize law enforcement and the judiciary, they undermine this protection.

Pardoning Allies and Targeting Opponents: Trump granted presidential pardons to individuals who supported him politically. That included figures convicted of offenses related to his inner circle. More controversially, he pardoned those insurrectionists involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, framing them as victims of unfair persecution.

Politicizing the Department of Justice: Throughout his presidency, Trump publicly criticized federal investigations into his associates, sometimes labeling them “witch hunts.” It was a smokescreen for his efforts to bend the Department of Justice to his will, expecting loyalty from high-ranking officials. When officials resisted, they were subject to public and private pressure, if not outright dismissal.

Selective Enforcement: Weaponizing justice is not solely about executive branch interventions. It can also manifest through selective or disproportionate enforcement of laws. Trump’s rhetoric and policy priorities reflected a willingness to use law enforcement as a tool against opponents, while shielding allies from consequences.

Autocratic leaders worldwide often use similar strategies to weaken potential rivals. These behaviors pose a direct threat to the rule of law in the United States. A system in which political loyalty supersedes impartial justice is characteristic of authoritarian regimes.

SILENCING DISSENT

A hallmark of modern dictatorships is the suppression of opposing voices, be they journalists, activists, or political adversaries. While the First Amendment offers some protection in the United States, a determined leader can still erode the climate of free speech and free press.

Attacks on the Press: Trump frequently referred to the media as the “enemy of the people” and singled out individual reporters at rallies. Such vitriol created a hostile environment for journalists, potentially discouraging them from asking critical questions.

Threats and Legal Action: Critics have raised alarms about how Trump discussed “opening up” libel laws to sue outlets more easily. Although not all threats have materialized yet, they are designed to challenge and intimidate independent media by instilling a daily grind of fear.

Eventual Escalation: While Trump did not push silencing dissent to the extremes seen in some authoritarian states during his first term, he has made blunt and direct threats even before beginning his second term. He has proposed criminalizing protests and shutting down opposition media. Modern dictators typically justify such moves by claiming they are protecting national security or preventing misinformation.

From these warning signs, one can infer that the United States is not immune to the forces that corrode democracies elsewhere. The risk lies not merely in Trump himself, but in normalizing his autocratic tactics.

ALIGNING WITH AUTHORITARIAN LEADERS

Dictators frequently admire and forge alliances with like-minded leaders. That pattern helps them consolidate power and legitimize their actions on the world stage. Trump’s foreign policy choices, especially in relation to strongmen, have been a defining aspect of his presidency.

Praise for Putin and Xi: Trump repeatedly praised Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, even in the face of allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. He even showered Putin with congratulations when Putin launched the unprovoked and brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He also expressed admiration for Chinese President Xi Jinping, lauding his iron-fisted approach to governance. While diplomacy sometimes requires flattery, Trump’s consistent praise of authoritarian figures stood in stark contrast to his often combative stance toward traditional democratic allies – particularly Canada.

Tensions With Democratic Partners: Trump has long clashed with NATO, questioned the value of longstanding alliances, and undermined cooperative relationships with European democracies. Such manufactured tensions weakened the global coalition that traditionally promoted democratic values. Instead, it opened the door for authoritarian regimes to assert influence.

Support for Autocratic Policies: Trump’s approach went beyond rhetoric. His administration’s immigration policies, the decision to impose sweeping bans on refugees from certain countries, and the overall tone toward protest movements all mirrored actions taken by authoritarian governments elsewhere. His willingness to embrace a hardline stance at home and admiration for strongman rule abroad further indicated a turn away from liberal democratic norms.

The pattern of aligning with authoritarians suggests a worldview that values centralized power and hierarchical control. Modern autocrats often bolster one another’s legitimacy by sharing strategies for maintaining power and dismissing criticism from the global community.

DISREGARDING CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS

A functional democracy depends on leaders respecting the constitution’s boundaries. Attempting to overstay one’s term, defying election results, or unilaterally changing the rules to retain power are all red flags of authoritarianism. While Trump did not extend his term unilaterally during his presidency, his rhetoric and post-election behavior were essentially a shadow presidency that held significant influence on policy, directly sabotaging the vital work of President Joe Biden’s administration.

On February 15, 2025, Trump posted on social media: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” a quote often incorrectly attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte. Additionally, on February 19, 2025, the White House shared an image depicting Trump wearing a crown, accompanied by the caption: “LONG LIVE THE KING!”

These declarations are alarming. They suggest a leader who perceives himself as above the law, undermining the foundational democratic principle that no individual is exempt from legal accountability. By invoking a quote associated with justifying actions beyond legal constraints for the sake of national salvation, Trump creates the justification that his decisions are inherently lawful if he believes they serve the country’s interests.

Trump’s toxic perspective erodes the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent where personal judgment supersedes established legal frameworks. The portrayal of him as a monarch, complete with regal imagery and proclamations, further exacerbates fears about authoritarianism.

Such symbolism not only challenges America’s foundational rejection of monarchical rule but also emboldens a narrative that concentrates power in the executive branch, sidelining checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy. This self-aggrandizing depiction can desensitize the public to autocratic tendencies, gradually normalizing the erosion of democratic norms and institutions.

If Trump attempts to stay in power beyond his legal term, it would mark a clear break with constitutional norms. The United States has historically seen a peaceful transfer of power, and any breach of that tradition would signal a profound shift toward authoritarianism.

A MODERN AUTOCRAT WITH A DEMOCRATIC FACADE

By evaluating these six points — undermining elections, expanding executive power, weaponizing justice, silencing dissent, aligning with authoritarian regimes, and disregarding constitutional limits — it becomes apparent that Trump’s leadership style fits many hallmarks of modern dictatorship.

However, he has not gone so far as to entirely dismantle democratic institutions. He has not canceled elections, formally disbanded Congress, or outlawed opposition parties. Yet, it cannot be overlooked how easily those next steps could occur. Trump has already established the groundwork: delegitimizing elections, praising authoritarian rulers and weakening institutional checks. Democracies often erode through slow, incremental changes rather than sudden coups.

The critical point for voters, lawmakers, and the media is to recognize the danger Trump poses and address his entrenched behavior. In many countries, autocrats emerged from democratic processes by slowly capturing the judiciary, marginalizing dissenters, and bending rules to remain in power. The superficial facade of democracy — periodic elections, multiple political parties, a constitution — can remain even as its substance deteriorates.

THERE MAY BE NO HOPE FOR AMERICANS TO RECLAIM AMERICA

For those concerned about preserving democratic standards that sustained American society for decades and allowed for unprecedented economic development, continuous vigilance is essential. It means safeguarding the right to vote, ensuring that federal agencies operate without fear of political interference, and promoting robust public debate. Journalists and civic organizations play a pivotal role in shining a light on potential abuses of power. Legislators must resist Trump’s daily attempts to centralize power in the executive.

Voters should remain informed and hold leaders accountable for any undemocratic behavior. Of course, these are the same voters who elected Trump for a second term to begin with. So, it must be noted that a large number of Americans want to see America become an autocratic nation run by an ill-tempered autocrat.

Trump’s actions may not meet the clinical or textbook definition of a dictator who controls every aspect of government, but they do embody a modern form of autocracy that is subtle, pliable, and dangerous.

While he has not fully dismantled democratic mechanisms, his second term has only just begun. Hitler effectively overthrew Germany’s democracy in about two months. So it is not inconeivable that America could once and for all, after 250 years, cease to function as a democracy because the majority of the population voted for a dictator-in-waiting.

It is only a matter of time before Trump crosses the last boundary from being merely a “functional autocrat” to a full-fledged dictator.

© Art

DeepAI