Imagine playing a game with someone who keeps changing the rules to win, and everyone acts like it’s normal. Now, imagine that game represents our country in a democracy. That’s what it feels like watching President Donald Trump in his second term. What was once seen as shocking has started to feel normal, and that’s precisely the problem. This shift we consider ‘normal’ behavior from the leader of our country isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous, especially when it comes to someone who is actively challenging the core values of the democracy in our country.
Trump is a danger to our democracy because he is attempting to gain too much power, is undermining the electoral system, and is using his platform to divide vulnerable communities of Americans.
To understand how dangerous this is, let’s talk about the power first. The U.S democratic system uses checks and balances to ensure no single branch of government becomes too powerful. This involves the three branches of the legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has different powers to limit or influence the actions of the others. A democracy only works if one person doesn’t hold all of the power. According to Peter Stone’s Guardian article (“Trump’s blitz to expand his power is a direct threat to democracy, experts say”), experts warn that his excessive use of orders could override the democratic process and result in excessive power for President Trump. “So far, most congressional Republicans seem content to look the other way, effectively making Congress where they control both houses a rubber stamp for Trump’s dictates, rather than one of three co-equal branches of government designed to be a check on a president’s attempt to become a monarch,” Stone writes. These systems are what help keep a president from becoming a king or queen. So, if Trump were to ignore those limits or rules we have in place, it could lead to a government where only one person is making all of the decisions, and that’s not democracy. This projects as a major issue because America is all about equality; that’s what sets us apart from other countries.
Some of Trump’s executive orders have truly been not just soul-crushing, but a threat to Americans. One that stood out was his Executive Order 14155, which stated that the United States would withdraw from the World Health Organization. This was a major shock because the organization plays a significant part in coordinating international responses to health crises, for example, pandemics, which our country was in just 5 years ago, Covid-19.
Another order, Executive Order 14151, Ends Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing. This order is so harmful and has numerous consequences for the U.S. For starters, it cancels programs that promote fair treatment and opportunities for historically underrepresented communities. This includes groups of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. Without DEI frameworks, workplaces will no longer be required to hire someone based on their race. This act overall just promotes inequality across the U.S. These are only two of the Executive Orders out of many, and you can already see the unfortunate effects from them.
In addition, recently, Trump has hinted that he should be the first to be allowed a third term, something that is unprecedented and unconstitutional. According to Erica Green from The New York Times, “Mr. Trump has often mused about the idea of a third term, particularly in rallies and speeches that have delighted his supporters” even though the 22nd Amendment clearly states that presidents can only serve two terms. The amendment is not just a suggestion, but it’s clearly a red flag that Trump sees it this way. By allowing a president to serve more than two terms, even if he could find a legal loophole, or use manipulation strategies, it sets a tone for consolidating power, which only happens in an authoritarian regime, (where one leader holds most or all of the power) which is not a democratic state. Democracy is known for finding diverse voices of the people, if it were not done in a rotating process, this would be limiting. The voice of the President is supposed to be the voice of the people, which includes all that make up our country.
And then we have the damage Trump has already done to our electoral system. After losing the 2020 election, Trump pushed the false idea that the election had been “stolen” or “rigged.” These false claims then led to the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a truly disappointing moment that will forever be engraved in our history and a moment that exposed just how fragile democracy can be. Groups like American Oversight mention,”With him being re-elected, Trump could do even more damage by refusing to accept future election results or reassuring others to change them,” and that threat becomes even more real if he’s still in power when he loses again.
Trust in our elections is already starting to crumble. According to a Pew Research Center study, only 57% of Americans said they trusted the vote count after 2020. When people don’t believe in fair elections, democracy starts to quickly fall apart. This division is turning America against itself. How are Americans supposed to believe the government if Trump is changing everything in the government? Trump has also made many remarks involving the U.S. Government, he publicly stated that he wants to “terminate” parts of the Constitution to overturn the 2020 results. The Constitution is the foundation of American democracy. Suggesting it should be “terminated” throws out the system of laws that guarantees individuals’ rights, fair elections, and checks on power.
But Trump’s impact isn’t just political; it’s personal. He’s made racist, sexist, and homophobic comments that divide the country and make citizens feel unsafe. During his presidential campaign in 2015, Trump said, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” Statements like this don’t just offend; they send a message to entire communities that they aren’t welcome here in the U.S. If citizens think elections can be reversed by one leader, people might lose faith in voting and the democracy will just stop functioning the way it should be.
Then there’s what’s unfortunately happening to immigrants under his leadership. Recently, ICE deported the Venezuelan makeup artist, Andry José Hernández Romero, because he had tattoos agents assumed were gang-related. In reality, they were symbols of his Christian faith. Ed Pilkington, the chief U.S. correspondent for The Guardian, reported, “Everyone has these crowns, many people. But that doesn’t mean they’re involved in the Tren de Aragua … He’s never had problems with the law,” Stories like this aren’t just unfortunate; they are heartbreaking. These are examples of just what can happen when a government assumes the worst of people just based on physical characteristics, except that’s not just all of it, being a citizen doesn’t even matter anymore, if they could be deported, then so could anyone.
Kilmar Abergo Garcia, a Salvadoran national residing legally in Maryland under “withholding of removal” status, a protection granted due to credible fears of persecution if he returned to El Salvador, who was mistakenly deported this past March 2025. Despite a court order prohibiting his removal, he was still sent to El Salvador’s high-security prison, CECOT, a place that is well known for its harsh living conditions. Abrego Garcia has never even had any criminal convictions in the U.S., and his deportation was initially acknowledged by the Trump administration as an error.
In court on April 10, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the government must “facilitate” his release from Salvadoran custody. However, the Court stopped short of ordering the administration to “effectuate” his return. The administration interpreted this narrowly, reporting that it is not required for Kilmar to be released from prison without El Salvador’s cooperation.
The decision was then finalized during the Oval Office meeting that was held on April 14. Both El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele and President Trump agreed that Abrego Garcia would not return to the U.S. Bukele had labeled him a “terrorist,” and Trump did nothing to defend, dismissing any concerns related to the deportation, despite what the Supreme Court had ruled.
This case has sparked both legal and political controversy, with federal judges considering proceeding against the administration in the future for non-compliance with the court’s orders. Advocates argue that this case undermines the rule of law for immigrants who have protections in the U.S., meaning there’s no way to predict how many other stories will appear that are just like Kilmar’s.
If we want to protect democracy, we need to care about more than just campaign speeches. Trump has shown time and time again that he’s willing to twist the rules, spread lies, and mistreat people to hold on to his power. That’s not what leadership is; it’s a warning to our country.
Even if you’re not old enough to vote, you still have power, and everyone can make a difference. So, speak up. Learn the facts. Share the REAL news. Ask hard questions to Americans of all ages. Call out all unfair treatment when you see it. And when the day arrives and you can vote, I encourage you to vote for truth, equality, and democracy. Because if we don’t protect it, we might lose it forever.
