US EditionObama: US ‘dangerously close’ to moving toward autocracy
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, JUN 18 – Obama highlighted misinformation's role in eroding public trust and urged government regulation of social media platforms to protect democratic norms, warning the U.S. is close to autocratic behavior.
- Former President Barack Obama spoke Tuesday in Hartford, Connecticut, warning that American democracy is at risk of shifting toward autocracy.
- Obama highlighted a lack of dedication among federal officials to democratic principles, criticizing the failure of government institutions and courts to faithfully fulfill their constitutional responsibilities.
- He likened contemporary political actions to authoritarian regimes, specifically citing Hungary under Viktor Orban, and condemned misleading claims regarding the outcome of the 2020 presidential race.
- Obama acknowledged that while the situation has not fully reached a critical point, the United States is nearing a stage where problematic behaviors could become accepted as normal. He emphasized the importance of vigilance from both government officials and citizens to prevent this from happening.
- His remarks imply democratic commitment is being tested amid ongoing immigrant crackdowns and political polarization, signaling a critical moment for legal and civic institutions.
86 Articles
86 Articles
Rules for Surviving Authoritarian Times
Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins John Avlon to talk about how authoritarianism creeps into democracies, the patterns she’s seen around the world, and what history says about how to fight back. They discuss the rise of strongman politics, the power of resistance, and the five rules we need to remember now.Leave a commentCheck out Ruth’s Substack newsletter about democracy in the U.S. and around the world here: LucidWatch, listen and leave a comment. The How …
Is the US sliding into autocracy?
Is Donald Trump becoming a dictator, or just enjoying playing the part? It's getting harder to tell, said Susan B. Glasser in The New Yorker. Last weekend, tanks rolled through Washington as the president hosted a huge military parade on his 79th birthday.The event followed his recent decision to send troops into Los Angeles, against the express wishes of California's Democratic governor, to help quell unrest sparked by his immigration crackdown…
Obama Calls for Digital Censorship to 'Regain Control of the Internet'—Only 'Approved Facts' Allowed
Former President Barack Obama has sparked alarm among free speech advocates after calling for a centralized system to control online information, declaring that there is “no space for a diversity of facts” in the fight [...] The post Obama Calls for Digital Censorship to ‘Regain Control of the Internet’—Only ‘Approved Facts’ Allowed appeared first on The People's Voice.
Pam Melander letter: The authoritarian danger of Donald Trump
The United States has been a democracy for nearly 250 years. Right now, our democracy is hanging by a thread. A year ago, the United States was a global leader with the world's best economy, led by President Joe Biden, who was highly respected. The Donald Trump regime has been in power since January 2025. We are seeing the depth of its destruction and depravity. Only five months into his term, Trump has called up the military to be used against …
Barack Obama was involved last night in internal politics in a rare way, and the content of his speech was quite remarkable, writes journalist Aaron Blake, in an analysis of CNN's public intervention in the former presidential...
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