Trump Must Be Stopped From Destroying Our Democracy

Every American must remember that the US is not on the verge of an authoritarian takeover; we are in it. Trump is acting on it methodically in broad daylight, with the deafening silence of the Republican party, as if silence in the face of the destruction of our democracy is patriotism. He is creating a new set of rules to solidify his dictatorship with his allies, the oligarchs. Trump must be stopped by every legal means possible. But first, why does democracy need constant vigilance?

Guarding Democracy with Zeal
Democracy is the most fragile political system and cannot be taken for granted. It must continuously and zealously be protected by the people to withstand the threats and manipulations of those who seek to control and subjugate the public to their whims and whose hunger for power is insatiable, like Trump. Thus, to sustain liberal democracy, there must be nonpolitical institutions that prevent the executive branch from controlling everything: independent courts, independent media, an independent business class, and an independent civil service.

The warning signs of authoritarianism are just as present in democratic societies. Indifference and apathy are often glorified, malevolence is disguised as policy, conformity is seen as patriotism, complex policies are reduced to slogans, and people become afraid to speak the truth, because in a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. Currently, the Republicans in the House and the Senate exemplify that to perfection. Therefore, if the truth is not defended and if attention to democracy’s core values is not reclaimed, freedom will be yielded to comfort. This is how democracy becomes the means that drives the rise of dictatorship, which ironically is propelled by free and fair elections—the rise of Hitler is a case in point. China’s Chairman Xi and Russia’s President Putin differ only in name and flags from the wannabe autocrats like Trump, but not in their disdain for the free mind and for the truth, which they fear the most.

Thus, the very essence of democracy, which is anchored in a web of ever-changing dynamics, requires constant attention and diligence in the search for truth that upholds democracy as it continues to evolve. As a well-known aphorism states, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” There are three powerful forces that, together, can stop Trump from destroying our democracy: sustained, peaceful public protests; undeterred use of the media; and safeguarding judicial independence.

Intensified Public Protests
When a government violates democratic principles, large-scale peaceful demonstrations can send a strong message. It’s a way for people to collectively demonstrate their commitment to democratic values and advocate for change without resorting to violence.

Continued, relentless, and frequent peaceful demonstrations by the millions from coast to coast are sine qua non for protecting our democracy. Millions of Americans, irrespective of their political orientation, ethnicity, race, or religion, who care about the country’s future, must pour into the streets, with one message: We will never be deterred, succumb or be intimidated, and will remain resilient and steadfast and resort to any other peaceful means, including civil disobedience and strikes, until Trump halts his violations of our democratic principles and fully adheres to his oath of office to defend and protect the Constitution.

Expressing dissent, however, is not limited to peaceful protests; fostering open dialogue is another way for people to express dissent, and it can involve different groups. Community leaders, educators, civil society organizations, and even everyday citizens can all play a role in town halls or community forums. It’s about creating spaces where people feel safe sharing their views and listening to others. So, saving our democracy is a shared responsibility across different parts of society.

The public, which would bear the brunt of dictatorial rule, must be the first line of defense, prepared to face any threat, intimidation, or force, and remain unwavering in their commitment to protecting our democracy against all odds.

Unbending Freedom of the Press
One of the main arteries that carries blood throughout the organs of democracy is the freedom of the press. Trump shattered the independence of the state-run media and shunned all networks except those that would propagate his false narrative, suppress criticism, and smother the free press, which is the heartbeat of democracy.

In his book, A Theologico-Political Treatise, Spinoza argues that freedom of thought is a cornerstone of protecting democracy, and that open dialogue and the freedom to philosophize are key to a healthy, peaceful democratic society. He states that “In a free state every man may think what he likes, and say what he thinks,” and that is what every American must fight for. Every media outlet, every reporter, and every journalist must resist with all their might any attempt by Trump and his surrogates to stifle their freedom to keep the public informed and seek legal remedies to protect their right.

I applaud the Pentagon Press Corps for not surrendering to the Department of Defense’s new rules that forbid them from publishing materials not directly approved by the department’s Secretary. Almost unanimously, they chose to turn in their press passes rather than agree to these authoritarian rules.

Every news organization must never cave in and deprive Trump of one of the most important tools to advance his sinister authoritarian scheme. Trump does not need to erase the truth; he is a master at drowning it with repeated lies. He intimidates, insults, and instills fear among the press corps to prevent them from raising questions he does not want to answer. But as long as the press refuses to be silent, we are still free, and as long as we are free, democracy thrives.

Safeguarding the Integrity of the Judiciary
To maintain the judiciary’s independence as a pillar of democracy, ensuring that judges are appointed on the basis of their qualifications and integrity, rather than political loyalty, is central to the administration of justice and to adherence to the rule of law. Protecting the courts from political interference and ensuring they enjoy the independence to make decisions is crucial. These safeguards help maintain the judiciary’s fairness and impartiality.

Most federal judges in this country, regardless of their political leanings, have demonstrated that justice prevails, even in the face of extreme political pressure from Trump. A study from Just Security highlighted the courts’ resistance to the Department of Justice’s horrific conduct. The study, which examined 400 lawsuits filed against the administration, found that in 35 cases, the court accused the government of providing false information or a false sworn declaration. And in over 50 cases, the government engaged in arbitrary and capricious conduct. In 15 cases, the court called out the government for non-compliance with its orders, which lead author Ryan Goodman, law professor at New York University, told 60 Minutes he “found jaw-dropping.” What’s terrifying here is that once the system of checks and balances—the pillars on which democracy is anchored—is willfully ignored, it crosses the red line that separates democracy from authoritarianism.

Sadly, the Supreme Court’s majority Republican Justices have failed to live up to the high standard expected of them and have often ruled in favor of Trump, even when many of his executive orders were deemed unconstitutional by lower courts. From May to September of this year, on issues such as withholding money and suspending due process, Trump had a 16-case winning streak, which is ironic because during the Biden years, the Supreme Court was focused on reining in presidential power. Another case before the court now concerns tariffs that Trump acted on unilaterally, which the Constitution plainly says only Congress can levy.

It is hard to swallow, but it is true. Our future democracy rests in the hands of nine Justices, six of whom are Republicans. They must now decide whether they will continue to accommodate Trump, who is a malignant narcissist, a felon, and a notorious liar, or save America, the greatest human experiment in democracy in history.

Every Supreme Court Justice must remember that the whole world is watching, and history is recording every vote they cast. Will they put aside partisanship and save the country, or allow a sick man to sacrifice our democracy on the altar of an evil he exemplifies? History will condemn them to eternity if they fail to live up to their oath of office, “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Light Onto Other Nations
Many nations around the world have aspired to emulate the democratic ideals and values that America has championed because they answer the fundamental human quest for freedom and democracy. This is not the time for despair; it is the time for courage. We all must rise to the challenge to protect and save this uniquely special, 250-year-old democracy and never relent or concede.

Authoritarianism does not arrive with tanks; it creeps in with silence, apathy, and the normalization of lies. The question is no longer whether Trump seeks autocracy, but whether we, the American people, have the courage to resist it before it’s too late.