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-Editorial
In a virtual discussion hosted by Ethnic Media Services, a panel of legal scholars and political scientists warned that the United States is undergoing a rapid and dramatic slide into authoritarianism—one that differs significantly from the slow-moving democratic erosion seen in other countries. The conversation, prompted by recent academic articles and ongoing political events, spotlighted the erosion of institutional checks and balances, targeting of marginalized groups, and the growing normalization of executive defiance of the judiciary.
During the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, public opinion surveys have indicated a rise in concern regarding the direction of the country. A nonpartisan poll conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) reported that 52% of Americans agreed with the statement that Trump is “a dangerous dictator.” Similarly, an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll found that 49% of respondents believe the president is expanding his authority in ways that challenge the rule of law and foundational democratic principles.
Observers have noted a pattern in the administration’s approach, including criticism of the judiciary, the replacement of experts with loyalists, and confrontational rhetoric toward institutions such as universities and the press. Critics argue that these developments resemble behaviors associated with declining democratic norms.
At the center of the discussion was Professor Lucan Way of the University of Toronto, co-author with Steven Levitsky of a landmark Foreign Affairs article that warned of America’s possible descent into authoritarian rule. Reflecting on their work, Way explained that what began as a projection of slow, legalistic erosion—akin to developments in Hungary and Poland—has instead become a swift and dramatic assault on democratic norms.
“What we’ve seen is something much more dramatic and rapid,” Way said. “This is a much more aggressive effort at imposing authoritarianism than we’ve seen in places like Hungary, Turkey, or India… And the open disregard for the courts and legality is particularly alarming.”
Way’s remarks come amid escalating concerns over selective compliance with court rulings, rhetorical attacks on the judiciary, and attempts to undermine legal institutions that serve as a check on executive power.
Professor Aziz Huq of the University of Chicago built upon Way’s assessment, detailing the Trump administration’s systematic disregard for judicial authority. “We’ve observed a pattern of both partial noncompliance with court orders and a broad-ranging rhetorical and legal attack on the court system,” Huq explained. He referenced specific instances where immigration and spending rulings were either defied or only superficially followed, raising fundamental questions about the executive branch’s respect for the rule of law.
“Private parties associated with the president’s movement have publicly targeted judges and even their families,” Huq added, noting a chilling trend of intimidation that could discourage judges from issuing rulings against the executive. While mechanisms like contempt proceedings exist, Huq observed that these legal tools have yet to be tested meaningfully in this environment. A recent attempt by Judge Boasberg to pursue contempt sanctions was halted by an appellate court, leaving open the question of judicial enforcement power.
Bringing a historical and racial justice perspective to the panel, Professor Gloria J. Browne-Marshall of John Jay College emphasized that constitutional crises are not new to the United States, particularly for African Americans and other historically marginalized groups. “We had grown used to these methods of undermining citizenship when it came to people of African descent,” Browne-Marshall said. “All we did as a nation was to grow numb to the cries of those people.”
She described how practices once reserved for suppressing Black and Brown communities are now expanding. Attacks on immigrants, foreign students, and even women’s rights, she noted, are part of a broader trend that mirrors longstanding patterns of constitutional exclusion.
“In 2023, I said African Americans were the canary in the mine,” Browne-Marshall remarked. “Now, others are realizing that constitutional rights, like free speech and voting rights, are under siege across the board.”
Returning to the political science framework, Way introduced the concept of “competitive authoritarianism,” a term describing regimes where elections continue to exist but are deeply unfair and manipulated. In such regimes, like those in Hungary or Venezuela, opposition parties may operate, but they do so under constant threat and institutional disadvantage.
“Sixty-three percent of dictators are now elected,” Way noted. “The veneer of democracy exists, but in reality, these are authoritarian systems where the costs of opposition are too high.” He warned that the U.S. is increasingly displaying these traits, citing attacks on media, political opponents, and mainstream legal institutions.
Even the legal profession, long considered above the political fray, has not been spared. “Law firms and lawyers—people who never historically faced challenges for supporting one of the two major parties—are now under threat,” Way said. “This is a significant break from past American history.”
As the discussion turned to media questions, Peter Schurmann of American Community Media asked whether the American electorate is beginning to reassess the value of democracy in light of its erosion. He pointed to past criticism of the Biden-Harris campaign’s emphasis on democracy over “bread and butter” economic issues. Sherman also raised concerns about how the nationalization of political discourse—and the decline of local civic engagement—may have accelerated public apathy toward democratic norms.
In response, panelists emphasized the importance of sustained civic education and institutional integrity. Browne-Marshall was especially direct in pushing back on the idea that this democratic crisis is unprecedented. “There is very little being experienced in this country that has not already been experienced by the African-American community,” she reiterated.
The consensus among the experts was clear: American democracy is in a state of acute vulnerability, and the patterns emerging today are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, dangerous trajectory. Whether the nation can reverse course may depend on how seriously both institutions and citizens take the threat, and whether they act decisively before the democratic foundation erodes beyond repair.