Just days into Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States, democracy advocates are expressing concerns that his early actions confirm their worst fears.

From declaring national emergencies to pardoning convicted domestic terrorists, Trump’s initial moves have drawn sharp criticism and raised questions about the trajectory of his presidency.

Since taking the oath of office last Monday, Trump has signed a series of executive orders that could significantly expand his presidential powers.

Among these is a declaration of an “energy emergency” despite U.S. energy production being at record highs.

This order aims to bypass environmental protections to expedite new drilling and pipeline projects.

He has also declared an “invasion” at the U.S.-Mexico border, invoking emergency powers that could allow the use of active-duty military forces domestically.

Critics note that illegal border crossings have been on the decline, making the rationale for such a measure questionable.

Norm Eisen, a former White House lawyer during the Obama administration, said these actions set a troubling precedent.

“This is precisely how autocracies begin — by seizing extraordinary powers under the guise of national crises. Once obtained, those powers are seldom relinquished,” Eisen stated.

In a move that has alarmed many, Trump pardoned hundreds of individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. These acts of violence, including assaults on police officers, have been labeled domestic terrorism by numerous experts.

New York University historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat commented, “Authoritarianism is the conversion of rule of law into rule by the lawless. He needs the people with those skill sets on his side.”

Additionally, Trump has stripped federal security details from former officials who have criticized him, including his former National Security Advisor John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The move has left these individuals vulnerable to ongoing foreign threats, particularly from Iran, which had previously targeted them for their roles in the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

“Do you want to have a large detail of people guarding people for the rest of their lives? I mean, there’s risks to everything,” Trump said when questioned about the decision.

Appointments Raise Concerns
Trump’s new appointments to key positions have also drawn scrutiny.

Kash Patel, a staunch Trump loyalist known for promoting conspiracy theories, is set to lead the FBI. Critics worry that Patel’s “enemies list” of Trump opponents could lead to politically motivated investigations.

Meanwhile, Trump has tapped Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth, who has limited experience managing large organizations, to head the Department of Defense.

In his first term, Trump had selected James Mattis, a respected retired Marine Corps general, for the role, signaling a stark shift in approach.

“He is intent on consolidating power and wielding it, because that is what authoritarians do,” said Amanda Carpenter, a former Republican Senate aide and researcher at Protect Democracy.

Trump’s return to power has also brought fresh allegations of self-enrichment.

Shortly before taking office, Trump launched a cryptocurrency token called “$TRUMP,” which could generate significant profits for him, especially from his loyal supporters and foreign interests.

Additionally, Trump’s policies appear to be influenced by personal considerations.

For example, after meeting with a GOP donor with financial ties to TikTok, Trump reversed his earlier stance on banning the Chinese-owned app, granting it a 75-day reprieve.

In another controversial move, Trump commuted the sentence of Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, citing support from libertarian groups who backed him in the election.

Geoff Duncan, former lieutenant governor of Georgia and a Republican who endorsed Kamala Harris in the election, said Trump’s actions were predictable.

“Anybody who’s surprised by these egregious actions, well, shame on them,” Duncan stated.

Duncan and others argue that Trump is continuing the pattern established in the final weeks of his first term, when he fired top officials like Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Attorney General Bill Barr for refusing to support his election fraud claims.

This time, however, Trump has surrounded himself with loyalists, leaving little room for institutional resistance.

The concerns extend beyond his first week in office. Democracy advocates warn that Trump’s actions could erode American democratic norms and institutions.

“Take his words very seriously. There’s still this illusion that he doesn’t mean what he says, that he’s not going to go through with it. That is a farce,” Carpenter said.

As Trump’s presidency unfolds, critics on both sides of the aisle are calling for vigilance to ensure that democratic principles are upheld.

However, with key institutional safeguards eroded, many are questioning how much resistance remains.