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Rise of authoritarianism in the United States: “We are in deep trouble”
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Elections & Politics

Rise of authoritarianism in the United States: “We are in deep trouble”

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • Analysts, political scientists and journalists increasingly warn that the United States faces risks to its democratic future as the Trump administration threatens the electoral process ahead of the midterm elections.
  • The New York Times editorial board said President Donald Trump had taken worrying steps toward refusing to leave office and urged politicians from both parties and federal judges to oppose interference in the 2026 elections.
  • The newspaper warned that a successful effort to distort the results could encourage further unconstitutional actions in 2028.

The warning from the New York Times editorial board was stark: the clearest sign of a democracy’s collapse is when the party in power refuses to leave office. The newspaper said President Donald Trump had taken “worrying” steps in that direction since returning to power in January 2025.

With the midterm elections two months away, the Trump administration is multiplying its threats against the electoral process. The developments have prompted growing concern among US analysts, political scientists and journalists about the country’s democratic future.

The surest sign of a democracy’s collapse is a political party in power refusing to leave office.

— New York Times editorial boardThe editorial board used this warning to frame its concerns about President Donald Trump’s conduct since returning to power.

The New York Times called on political leaders from both major parties and federal judges to prepare to firmly resist any attempt by Trump and his allies to interfere in the 2026 elections. Its warning focuses not only on the conduct of the vote, but also on what could follow if the results are challenged or altered.

“If the president succeeds in rigging the results, he will feel encouraged to take equally unconstitutional measures in 2028,” the editorial board wrote. The assessment forms the backdrop to an interview with Ryan Skinnell, a San José State University professor in California who specializes in authoritarian rhetoric. The broader concern is that pressure on the electoral system could extend beyond the midterms and shape the next presidential election as well.

If the president succeeds in rigging the results, he will feel encouraged to take equally unconstitutional measures in 2028.

— New York Times editorial boardThe newspaper warned that interference in the 2026 elections could encourage further action in the next presidential election.
About this summary

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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