As I write this, November 3rd elections are just days away. The results may be far more important than most realize.
Democracies rarely collapse in a single dramatic moment. More often they erode, one norm at a time. As one scholar who fled Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s power in Turkey said, “We didn’t just wake up one morning in an authoritarian system, it happened very gradually.” Political scientists call this a slide into "competitive authoritarianism,” a hybrid political regime in which elections are held but incumbents abuse state power to tilt the results.
Is the U.S. under President Donald Trump sliding in that direction? His governing methods that echo those utilized by Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Erdoğan and other autocrats suggest “yes.”
Xi and Putin began their autocratic reigns and control of elections in 2012, Erdoğan in 2014. Compared to them, Trump is still a wannabe, but what a wannabe he is, following their playbooks to consolidate power:
· Purge officials and fill the civil service, military, prosecutors’ offices, and judiciary with loyalists;
· Attack the media, universities, and nongovernmental organizations to blunt criticism;
· Undermine judicial authority;
· Reward loyalty, punish disloyalty, and make independence costly; and
· Interfere with elections to tilt them to the ruling party’s favor.
Examples of Trump’s efforts are plentiful:
· Besides DOGE, in June 2026 Trump stripped job protections from nearly 8,000 senior federal positions, making policy-level career staff removable at will;
· He fired most independent inspectors general and has yet to replace many;
· He banned critical media from the Pentagon and White House and replaced them with favorable reporters;
· He pressured universities to change policies and pay to retain federal funding, including Brown, Harvard, Columbia, Northwestern, Cornell, Pennsylvania, and Virginia;
· His administration has violated 31 district court orders;
· He got prosecutors and FBI officials tied to investigations of him fired;
· His lawyers initiated indictments of non-loyalists, opponents, and former allies including Jerome Powell, Lisa Cook, John Bolton, Cassidy Hutchinson, Letitia James, Fani Willis, John Brennan, Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin, and Adam Schiff.
He also wants to manipulate elections. He issued an executive order changing voter registration, ballot casting, and vote counting. He sent investigators across the country seeking confidential records, pressing for access to voting equipment, and re-examining rejected voter-fraud cases. And he has lawyers preparing to contest upcoming congressional elections.
Free elections matter. Hungary’s free election ended Viktor Orban’s 16-year reign. Israel’s free election may have ended 17 years of Benjamin Netanyahu. Unfree elections will soon re-crown Xi, Putin, and Erdoğan.
Unless the U.S. elects a congress on Nov. 3rd willing to reign in Trump’s power, elections in 2028 may be far less free.
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled” – Matthew 23:12.
Crawford is an author and syndicated columnist from Jackson.
11 comments:
More TDS bull ____ from the hypocrite scripture quoter that’s never written a single word against his Democrat Crime Party’s policies resulting in the murder and stray bullets deaths of helpless innocent children.
Let’s make sure Bill Crawfords legacy reflects exactly who he is - another of the white liberals Malcom X warned us about 6 decades ago.
Why does a conservative who appointed people loyal them becomes a tyrant? Do we not forget the Obama and Biden cabinets? People who had no skills in their jobs. Trump has done nothing any different. He has to cut federal employees that often sit in useless positions. The TDS is maddening.
We, as a nation, will look back and ask, how did we let this happen. “There are none so blind, as those who will not see.” We cannot continue, as a nation controlled on the whims of one man. I believe in America, and the strength of the American people. Here’s praying for better days.
Bill Crawford's leftist cheerleading reads like a bad toothache. His understanding of an electorate that has finally had enough of the Democratic death spiral does not exist and I hope someone reaches out to him and offers psychological help real soon. He needs it.
Donald Trump was elected to do exactly what he has and is doing. His supporters are worn out with pink hair, rabid crime, stratospheric corruption and the destruction of this country. Trump was not appointed.
Yes, the Anit-Semetic, Jihad loving democratic party continues to send the middle finger, bullets and wishes of death to all conservatives with Crawford's cheering them on. That's ok, because we now realize the hate and are completely preparing to meet it head on. We understand the end game planned by the left and will die on the hill to defeat them wherever that hill may exist.
This is not politics anymore. We are playing to win and are appreciative of the lefts crystal clear message. One more thing: We don't care anymore about getting along.
In closing, Matthew 23:12 is a great verse for Crawford to reference. Why? Because it provides an endgame for the evil, horrific left that love to stand up and scream "Look at me".
And yet, Trump has only two more years. The despots you mention were not limited in terms of time they could hold office. So while Trump may be a wanna be, that’s all he’ll ever be. But the point about congress standing up to him is a good point, most especially when it comes to the Republicans. Congress so far has been about as useful as the senate in Nero’s day. The members thereof really do need to recall that they are there to serve the nation, not party. And never to be mere yes men for a president. We see now the damage our party system has caused.
As a life long Republican for over 50 years, I can’t agree with Bill more. I will be voting for the Democrat candidates, hoping to replace the Trump sycophants in Congress. Signed, Saltwaterpappy
I am like the guy on Fox News, I was too young for Jamestown also, I am just. Enjoying the show.
Why do you blindly follow someone who is a known liar and hypocrite who has done absolutely nothing to help the working class? The TDS, Trump Denial Syndrome, is strong in those who are stupid enough to believe his rhetoric.
I think you are talking about most any politician in either political party. Worthless for nothing but empty promises to their blind followers.
Same bullshit every election time. Democracy is on the line…blah, blah, blah. You people have no idea what you are talking about. You are really convinced that Trump is destroying this country. What short term memories you guys have.
So did my 4th grade teacher’s. Enough of this bastard, Kingfish!
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