American democracy on the brink a year after Trump’s inauguration, experts say

One year after Donald Trump's second inauguration, experts are expressing concerns about the state of American democracy. Historians and scholars argue that the US may no longer qualify as a full democracy, citing Trump's consolidation of authority through actions like dismantling agencies, purging civil servants, and attacking the media. Some academics suggest the US has descended into "competitive authoritarianism," where elections are held but the ruling party abuses power. While definitions of democracy vary, many agree that the US is facing significant democratic backsliding, accelerated by Trump's presidency. The concerns are amplified by the diminishing internal constraints on the president, as Republican critics have largely been silenced.

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