Trump's Potential to Undermine Democracy Without Being a Dictator

Scholars and constitutional law experts are raising concerns about former President Donald Trump's statements suggesting that he could use extraconstitutional powers to enact his agenda if he were to return to office. While some Republicans insist that Trump was joking, scholars argue that he could do significant damage without becoming a dictator by leveraging the broad powers granted to the chief executive. They point to potential actions such as weaponizing the IRS, firing federal employees, invoking the Insurrection Act, punishing media foes, and engaging in military action abroad. While the U.S. constitutional system has institutional protections, scholars warn that it also has vulnerabilities that could be exploited by a leader intent on subverting democratic norms.