Fears Mount Over the Future of American Democracy Amid Trump's Second Term

USUnited States|

A recent analysis by Professor Benjamin E. Goldsmith of the University of Sydney raises alarms about the stability of American democracy following Donald Trump's re-election. Goldsmith argues that the erosion of political culture and the acceptance of illiberal principles among U.S. elites may lead to the fatal decline of liberal democracy within the next five years. He posits that Trump, backed by allies like Russell Voight’s Project 2025, is poised to transform the political landscape into an electoral democracy that undermines fundamental democratic values, potentially establishing a regime akin to those in non-democratic powers such as China and Russia.

In his article, Goldsmith indicates that the undermining of institutions like the free press and the rule of law could intensify, citing parallels between Trump’s tactics and historical authoritarian regimes in Russia and Ukraine. He emphasizes that Trump’s political maneuvers, including manipulation of media narratives and an aggressive stance against opponents, signify threats to free and fair elections in the U.S. The implications extend beyond domestic politics, with Goldsmith suggesting a significant shift in international relations towards a more nationalistic and authoritarian framework.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from United States

Antisemitic Attack in Boulder Heightens Concerns Among Jewish Americans

A violent attack targeting a group advocating for the release of hostages held in Gaza took place in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday, injuring 12 people. The suspect, Mohammed Sabry Soliman, allegedly planned the attack for a year and expressed intentions to "kill all Zionist people," according to court documents. This incident, following a recent shooting in Washington, D.C., has intensified fears within the Jewish community in North America regarding rising antisemitism. Adina Vogel Ayalon from J Street, a pro-Israel advocacy group, noted that anxiety among Jewish individuals has escalated recently. "Jews are feeling the impact and are more afraid than they were two weeks ago," she stated. Acts of antisemitism, she added, do not discriminate based on political stance regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Muslim Public Affairs Council condemned the Boulder attack, asserting its threat to pluralistic values. Following these events, funding efforts have been initiated to enhance security for the Jewish community in Boulder and support victims of the attack. Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, highlighted the pervasive insecurity felt by Jewish Americans in light of these incidents.
USUnited States

Convicted Father Who Burned Daughter to Death Dies in Prison

Shawn Ryan Grell, a 50-year-old man serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of his two-year-old daughter, Kristen Salem, died in prison on April 19, according to The New York Post. Authorities at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson discovered his body but did not disclose the cause of death. In December 1999, Grell took his daughter from daycare with plans to see Christmas lights but instead purchased gasoline and drove to a remote desert area in east Mesa. There, he set Kristen on fire, leading to her tragic death. Following the horrific act, Grell went to a convenience store to buy alcohol and later turned himself in to the police, admitting, “I took the gasoline and I poured it on her.” Initially sentenced to death in 2001 for first-degree murder, the Arizona Supreme Court canceled his death sentence in 2013, citing his mental retardation and replacing it with a life sentence. His death marks the end of a case that has haunted the community for over two decades.
USUnited States

Cargo Ship Fire Forces Crew to Abandon Ship Near Alaska

A fire aboard the Morning Midas, a 600-foot cargo ship transporting approximately 3,000 vehicles from Yantai, China, to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, forced its 22 crew members to abandon ship on Tuesday. The fire erupted while the vessel was located about 300 miles southwest of Alaska, primarily affecting a deck carrying 800 electric vehicles, according to Zodiac Maritime, the ship's operator based in London. The U.S. Coast Guard responded by deploying aircrews and a cutter to assist with the emergency. The crew was safely transferred to one of three nearby merchant vessels that participated in firefighting efforts. The specific brands of the vehicles involved remain undisclosed by Zodiac Maritime. This incident echoes the 2022 Felicity Ace fire, where another cargo vessel carrying 4,000 cars sank in the Atlantic Ocean after lithium-ion batteries exacerbated the flames. Experts emphasize the challenges of extinguishing EV-related fires, which require significant quantities of water and caution against using saltwater due to its conductivity. Ongoing improvements in firefighting techniques are deemed necessary as electric vehicles become increasingly prevalent.
USUnited States
All United States News ->