On Monday, President Donald Trump addressed the idea of sending federal troops into Chicago to control crime. In his statement, Trump directly acknowledged critics’ comments denouncing him as a dictator, responding with “A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator.’” These words are a chilling response and a seemingly near confession of authoritarianism from the President of the U.S., showing how little he cares for the democratic system. Trump is priming America to be taken over and attempting to desensitize the public to the idea of his impending tyranny while dangerously abusing his position.
Following this statement, Trump went on to state unconvincingly that he does not like dictators and that he is not one. However, his actions fail to support this. Trump has illegally deployed the National Guard in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. in an effort to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement Raids and curb crime. He now wishes to do the same in Chicago.
Ignoring the cities’ desires to avoid national intervention, Trump has bypassed the law to further his agenda. He is extending his power and control in the form of physical oppression as far as it can be stretched. With no regard for the law or local governments’ wishes, Trump’s actions begin to resemble those of past dictators like Hitler, who utilized a growing military as a means of oppression.
Trump’s attempt to claim more power extends far beyond the National Guard. He has bypassed Congress to change tax rulings, deported immigrants without due process, denied Americans free speech and centralized power in the executive branch, among many other actions.
Trump is actively trying to overcome the checks and balances preventing the very dictatorship that he claims not to be after. Shutting down those who disagree and actively removing those who do not align with his vision of a “great America” strongly parallels actions taken by fascist leaders from the 20th century.
Trump’s unfounded claim that Americans wish for a dictator was a glimpse into his own mind and his plans for the future. He has already started accumulating power and preparing the presidential seat to be strong enough for him to remain at the head of the country. If he continues walking this path without intervention, America will be facing a dangerous new era of fascism with Trump on the throne.
