Critics Fear Rule of Law Decline Under Second Trump Term

Critics of former US President Donald Trump warn that if he wins a second term in the 2024 election, he would attempt to undermine the rule of law at the justice department and other agencies to expand his power and attack critics. Trump's extremist rhetoric and lies about the 2020 election signal that he would appoint officials who would do his bidding, target dissenters he deems part of the "deep state," and mount zealous drives to rein in independent agencies. Trump's critics say a second term would mean few, if any, checks on his impulsive behavior, and that he would surround himself with pliant allies.