The New York Times published a project on Friday in which the newspaper argued that there is a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism by President Trump during the first ten months of his second administration.
The Times editorial board said, “The clearest sign of democracy’s demise is when a leader and his party make it impossible for his opponents to win elections and hold on to power.” Summarizing its analysis, he wrote“However, once that stage is reached, the change is extremely difficult to reverse. And ambitious authoritarians use other excesses, such as an intimidated legislature and judiciary, to hold on to their power.”
The Times reported on a dozen different ways Trump has changed the operation of the US government, arguing that he is moving America away from democracy and toward a more centralized system of power among its leaders. These examples include “suppressing speech and dissent,” “prosecuting political enemies,” “bypassing the legislature,” and “using the military for domestic control.”
The outlet wrote, “Our country is still no closer to becoming a true autocratic regime in the framework of Russia or China. But once countries begin to move away from democracy, the march often continues.” “We offer these 12 markers as a reminder of how much Americans have already lost and how much we may still lose.”
The Times editorial board has been sharply critical of Trump, who earlier this year sued the newspaper for defamation over its coverage of his first term as president, after the president and his lawyers say the journalism is defamatory.
The newspaper stands by its reporting on the president and its leaders have indicated they are prepared to defend their stories in court.
