On Wednesday, Feb. 19, a post appeared on the official White House social media pages, sending shockwaves across political and social landscapes. An image of Donald Trump, accompanied by the caption “Long live the king,” has fueled ongoing concerns about the future of American democracy. This post seemed to be a calculated test by this administration to test the boundaries of our country’s democratic norms, perhaps to gauge just how far they can stray from democratic principles without consequences.
This post, coupled with Trump’s sweeping removal of officials from key federal agencies, reckless statements regarding foreign policy and his never-ending desire to consolidate power in his hands, should deeply concern and anger anyone who values democratic freedoms. From the mass firing of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials to the removal and reappointment of top National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) officials, as well as his incredibly brazen rhetoric on Russia, Ukraine and Gaza, Trump’s actions suggest a hazardous reality for this country. A reality where democracy itself is at stake and fundamental democratic freedoms are no longer guaranteed.
Trump wasted no time exercising his power over government institutions, starting with the aggressive removal of FAA officials. This move extends far beyond just administrative restructuring; it’s a move that shows a clear and calculated effort to undermine independent oversight while ensuring officials remain unwavering loyalists, specifically at the highest levels of government. The abrupt firing and subsequent rehiring of top officials within the NNSA–a department responsible for managing our nation’s nuclear weapons and codes–raises even more concerns about the willingness of this administration to politicize and weaponize national security.
These actions and executive orders are not those of a leader dedicated to stability; they are the calculated moves of someone looking to hold total control. Trump is effectively dismantling protections that prevent such executive overreach by wearing away at independent government institutions and replacing professionals with politicians who have proved their unwavering loyalty to him. Trump’s interference and dismantling of federal institutions is yet another step toward a president with absolute and unchecked power.
Trump’s statements regarding foreign policy have only reinforced pre-existing concerns. His recent statement referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator” points to a serious shift in the U.S.’s support for Ukraine. Even more alarming was Trump’s comment that the United States would “occupy” Gaza, not only undermining our country’s relationship with the Middle East but also demonstrating this administration’s willingness to engage in dangerous military interference.
Trump’s actions, viewed individually, may appear to be mere decisions of an impulsive leader. But when viewed holistically, his actions paint a troubling picture, one where authoritarianism is inching its way into our government. The glorification of Trump as a “king,” his consolidation of executive power, as well as his utter disregard for international standards, point to a deliberate strategy to dismantle and erode democratic principles and instead normalize autocratic leadership.
Some Americans may believe our institutions are strong enough to stand against these actions, but our history shows that democracy rarely disappears overnight. Instead, it erodes gradually through small yet significant changes that completely remove accountability, silence opposing opinions, and condition citizens to accept these actions as normal. The real question is no longer whether Trump intends to reshape our democracy but whether we will allow him to. Our failure to recognize these actions as warning signs may leave Americans in a vulnerable position where they realize the democratic freedoms we take for granted have already been taken away.
