America sleepwalks into a dictatorship

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America sleepwalks into a dictatorship

Independent Australia
04 Sep 2025, 07:30 GMT+

From a 900-page plan that expands presidential power to undermining the Federal Reserve to gain total control, U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing America to the brink of authoritarianism.

PRESIDENTDONALD TRUMP's forces are rapidly destroying the foundations of democracy in the U.S.

Troops on the streets are just the most obvious examples of the major changes taking place.Following theProject 25roadmap has taken Americandemocracyto the edge of a cliff. All the signs of theplotto remake America into a dictatorship are clearly visible daily in the media, so why aren't more people concerned?

For one thing, Americans are immersed from birth in the belief that they are blessed with having the greatest democracy on earth. They sneer at other less fortunate countries that suffer martial law and rigged elections. This superior attitude is the basis of the "Ugly American" syndrome.

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FromWikipedia:

Foreigners are more aware of the U.S. fall from democracy than most Americans. Former authoritarian fighter and later President of PolandLech Wasapicked it when commenting on Trumps treatment ofVolodymyr Zelenskyyrecently in the Oval Office.

Wasa sent the followingletterto Donald Trump:

Lech Wasa recognises Trumps style as authoritarian even if the majority of Americans dont.

Of course, Donald J Trump is not known for his intellect. Without Project 25, he would be floundering. It is a 900-page set ofproposalsthat would expand presidential power and impose an ultra-conservative social vision. More than 100 right-wingorganisationscontributed to the document.

It sets out four mainpolicyaims:

restore the family as the centrepiece of American life;
dismantle the administrative state;
defend the nation's sovereignty and borders; and
secure God-given individual rights to live freely (unless you are brown, black or poor).

Some of the proposals have already formed the basis for Trump's executive orders.

The Project 2025 playbook contains strategies regarding the future of theFederal Reserveand monetary policy. The Federal Reserve is the central banking system of the U.S., whose goal is to alleviate financial crises through controlling interest rates.

At a minimum, the authority of the Federal Reserve would be significantly reduced; at a maximum, the Federal Reserve would be fully eliminated. The authority and regulatory power of the Federal Reserve, combined with how monetary policy would be implemented, would be transferred to elected officials, meaning that presidential and congressional power over monetary policy would increase while the Federal Reserves authority would be significantly decreased or eliminated.

Donald Trump says he is now taking over control of monetary policy in the U.S. in order to Get interest rates down. His method is to pick off existing existing Federal Reserve personnel and replace them with his own people. Trump recentlyannouncedthat he was removingLisa Cook, one of the seven governors of the Federal Reserve. The reason: "For cause", based on an unproven allegation of fraud in mortgage applications while she was a professor.

Trump followed up bytellinga televised cabinet meeting that:

But it's not about housing or the interest rate, which is a handy, understandable concept.It's another huge step in America's slide into authoritarianism and the far-right takeover of every aspect of government.This is the implementation of Project 25sUnitary Executive Theory, which is based on the proposition that the president should have complete executive authority over everything in thefederal jurisdiction.

All too complicated, right?Congress is in recess, and Americans are enjoying their summer vacations. Some, however, are worried and starting to take action. On June 14, millions rallied in cities across the country for "No Kings" protests. Big demonstrations took place in hundreds of cities across the U.S. on August 2. On Labor Day, September 1, more than 900Workers over Billionaires" protests against President Trump and his administration were held in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Protests are a good start, but more action is desperately needed. On the face of it, Trumpism shouldnt be hard to deal with. The presidents job approval rating has slipped to38 per centin the Pew Centers latest poll. Voters also reject Trumps main policy initiatives. They strongly disapprove (61-38) of his tariffs, the retro centerpiece of Trumponomics. A solid majority of 55 per cent say they lack confidence in Trumps ability to make good decisions on economic policy.

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Voters evidently arent big fans ofDOGEeither; nearly two-to-one, they say Trump is making the federal government work worse rather than better. And they disapprove of Trumps budget-bustingmega-billby a 10-point margin (42-32).

So if Trump is sinking, why arent the Democrats rising? AWall Street Journalpolllast monthfoundthat 63 per cent of voters hold an unfavourable view of the Democratic Party which is the highest level in the 35 years they have been asking the question.

Voters give Trump low grades on tariffs, inflation and foreign policy, but say they trust Republicans more than Democrats to handle every major issue except health care.

If traditional methods of winning voters have failed to elevate the Democrats, a new approach is desperately needed.

California GovernorGavin Newsomthinks he has the answer: Newsom has infuriated the President through frequent trolling on social media. Up until now, Trump has been the uncontested "Troller in Chief".

Recently, Newsome posted a video on Instagram trolling the presidents health complaints.

Themontage, set to the 2001 song 'Im a Survivor' by country music starReba McEntire, pulls together some of Trumps most embarrassing gaffes in the public eye, from tripping on the steps to Air Force One to recoiling in horror from a squawking eagle and being bumped in the chin by a rogue reporters microphone.

Hes trying, the post is captioned.

Not only has the trolling annoyed Trump, but is also improving Democrats' standing with younger voters who have been increasingly ignoring the party for years. In leading that fight, the comparatively youthful Newsom (57) has very quickly become the most visible Democrat on the national stage, eclipsing leaders in the House and Senate and building a firm foundation with voters if he enters the 2028 presidential race as seems likely.

Americans are starting to wake up from their paralytic political slumber. However, the alarm clock has been ringing for a long time and they may have already missed the bus.

DrNorm Sandersis a former commercial pilot, flightinstructor, university professor, Tasmanian State MP and Federal Senator.