Former President Donald Trump was widely criticized for his top-down leadership approach. People are looking more and more at what his actions will mean both during and after his presidency. From personal lawsuits against news organizations to controversial military deployments, Trump’s approach to governance raises questions about his authoritarian tendencies. His recent statements, including claims that “a lot of people are saying: ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator,’” have further fueled the debate over whether he embodies dictatorial characteristics.
In just the last few months, Trump has made key moves that all point to an increasingly militarized and hostile approach to dissenters and the critical press. He has personally sued multiple news outlets for what he views as skewed and prejudicial coverage of his administration. This is a significant shift in the legal strategy used by a sitting president to engage with the press. It looks to upend the status quo of accountability.
Yet, Trump’s erratic management style has created an argumentative and combative tone. Perhaps the most significant action taken was the firing of the government’s chief labor statistician. Employment data that contradicted Trump’s narrative was released soon after, forcing his hand on this action. His critics contend that these kinds of moves only show an intolerance for journalistic truths that don’t fit his administration’s narrative.
A colorful and powerful visual statement commands the eye at the Labor Department headquarters across from the Capitol in Washington, D.C. A portrait of Trump now hangs on the walls there. The decision to display this portrait raises eyebrows, as it appears to reinforce a cult of personality that some observers have likened to authoritarian regimes.
The former president’s strong arm tactics move personnel decisions into the public safety arena. In August, he deployed armed soldiers and Humvee-style military vehicles to patrol Washington, D.C., justifying this move as necessary to combat crime. Critics, including ourselves, are concerned about how his enforcement directives have resulted in the militarization of law enforcement. They contend this approach is consistent with America’s history of political repression.
Even with this evidence, Trump continues to vehemently reject any ideas of dictatorial tendencies. He stated, “I’m not a dictator. I don’t like a dictator,” attempting to distance himself from the label. He acknowledged the public’s desire for strong leadership, stating, “The line is that I’m a dictator. But I stop crime. So a lot of people say: ‘You know, if that’s the case, I’d rather have a dictator.’”
Legal scholars and political scientists have criticized Trump’s actions. Steven Levitsky, a Harvard professor and co-author of “How Democracies Die,” noted, “Dictators everywhere claim that they’re not dictators. And second of all, somewhat contradictorally, claim that the people want a dictator. Those are classic dictator lines.”
Political leaders and political analysts have pointed out the similarities between Trump’s leadership style and past examples of authoritarianism. Kim Lane Scheppele, a professor at Princeton University, remarked on the alarming similarities, stating, “If you think of dictators as…big posters of the leader going up on national buildings, all that stuff does remind everybody of Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia.”
Compounding fears over how Trump might govern are the appearance of his entire family striking it rich while he was president. Meanwhile, business reports indicate they have made millions off their business endeavors tied to his rise in political capital. This leads to important ethical inquiries about conflicts of interest and the mixture of personal fortune with a public position.
Most importantly, on multiple occasions, Trump has staged events that conjure up militaristic imagery. He staged an extravagant military victory parade down the streets of Washington, D.C. This party was in honor of his birthday and the 250th birthday of the creation of the U.S. Army. According to multiple accounts, Trump was particularly displeased by the lack of representation of troops at the parade. His particular ire was directed at the idea that they just didn’t look “menacing” enough.
Additionally, given Trump’s rhetoric on law enforcement, CEO of abuse-of-power. To do this, he’s resorting to threatening the use of federal troops. His ire mostly aimed at cities run by Democrats, like Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco and NYC. Others view this action as a play for him to take authority over regions that oppose his heavy-handed micromanagements. His supporters say it’s a signal that he wants to dominate.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under a Trump appointee, is reportedly investigating major broadcast networks for their coverage of his administration. Yet very conspicuously absent from the criticism is Fox News, which has largely given Trump a positive free pass. Such confusing and targeted enforcement of media accountability thwarts any hope of a free press flourishing during his administration.
Trump’s extensive use of emergency powers is being eyeballed. Yet he has used these powers to legally justify anti-immigration measures and tariffs. Critics say that these moves threaten to erode constitutional norms in future elections. Scholars have cautioned that there is a “non-zero chance” that these powers could be abused to undermine democratic norms.
As fears of authoritarianism take center stage in today’s political landscape, scholars are calling for alarm at the decline of democratic norms. Levitsky underscores the fact that for many, Trump was authoritarian, but not truly dictatorial. This view holds powerful consequences for American democracy. He states, “There’s a real performative side to this government’s authoritarianism…which suggests that there is a constituency for it.”