During the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, public concern over the direction of the country has risen sharply. Recent polling reflects a growing sense of alarm:
A nonpartisan survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) found that 52% of Americans agree with the statement that Trump is “a dangerous dictator.”
A new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll reveals that 49% of respondents believe the president is expanding his authority, flouting the rule of law, and steering the nation away from its founding principles.
At the center of this concern is a pattern: Trump increasingly asserts that his presidential power is absolute and beyond question. He routinely attacks the judiciary, installs loyalists over qualified experts, and treats critical institutions—including universities and the independent press—as enemies of the state. His administration appears to use the tools of government to reward allies and punish dissent.
According to hundreds of leading scholars of democracy, these are classic indicators of a country on the road away from democratic rule.
Today’s distinguished panel will explore this critical question: Is the United States drifting toward authoritarianism? Together, they will assess how democracies weaken from within—and whether our institutions are resilient enough to resist.
Livestream | Friday, May 9, 2025 | 11am PST
Guest Speakers
- Lucan Ahmad Way, Distinguished Professor of Democracy, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto
- Aziz Z. Huq, Frank and Bernice J. Greenberg Professor of Law, University of Chicago
- Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, Professor of Constitutional Law, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)
Presented by ACoM
Cover Image Credit: Canva Photos
