Trumpism: is the US headed for dictatorship?
Since Donald Trump took office in January, the democratic world has been watching the US with growing concern. In view of the Republican majority in both chambers of Congress, a Supreme Court most of whose judges are pro-Trump and the barrage of open attacks on the judiciary and other independent institutions many fear for the separation of powers, with commentators already talking about the end of democracy in the US.
No more separation of powers
Columnist Lluís Bassets buries US democracy in El País:
“The militarisation of immigration control and the fight against crime in large cities, which encroaches on municipal and federal jurisdiction, is unmistakable sign of advancing authoritarianism. All this behind the backs of a subservient Congress and with no checks on the judiciary, which is overburdened with litigation and increasingly unprotected by the Supreme Court. ... Within little more than half a year democracy has lost its footing. ... Abuse of power is ruling the day. Those who have no papers as well as those who criticise the president know that. ... There can be no talk of a separation of powers anymore.”
Gradually undermining democracy from within
Trump's executive order requiring classical architecture to be the default style for federal buildings is further proof of his authoritarian way of thinking, Público stresses:
“This is another step towards tightening control and censorship in the cultural sector, following the announcement of a radical redesign of the Kennedy Centre and a review of the mission of the Smithsonian museums to reflect Trump's view of American history. Trump has done almost everything he can to undermine democracy. ... History shows how the majority of autocratic leaders came to power through free elections and then maintained their grip on power by changing the rules of the system from within. This could be Trump's next big battle.”
On the road to fascism
It may soon be too late for the country's opposition to put up effective resistance, Cumhuriyet warns:
“Now that Trump is taking over state institutions, threatening universities and law firms and forcing the most powerful companies to merge with the state, there are rumours that he could postpone the midterm elections and run for a third term in office in violation of the constitution. ... The fact that soldiers have begun patrolling the cities means that a 'state of emergency' could be declared at any time. ... At this stage of the journey on the 'road to fascism' the possibilities for democratic resistance are rapidly dwindling; even the Democratic Party seems crippled and unable to decide on a course of action.”
Trump overstepping his powers
Rzeczpospolita comments:
“From a legal viewpoint, the president can mobilise the National Guard in a given state, but this requires the governor's consent. He can also do so at the governor's request or, in rare cases, without the consent or request of local authorities if the deployment is aimed at suppressing a riot or rebellion. However, Donald Trump neither asks the governors for their consent nor even consults them about his plans to militarise their regions. And there is no rebellion in any of these cities.”