The Looming Threat to American Democracy

— March 6, 2025 —

Donald Trump has made his intentions clear.

He openly campaigned on the promise of becoming a dictator and has repeatedly hinted at ending elections as we know them. These are not empty words; they are the foundation of an agenda that seeks to dismantle American democracy from within.

We have seen the warning signs. History tells us when authoritarians declare their plans, we should believe them.

Now, the pieces are falling into place. A government shutdown looms on March 14 and federal agencies are quietly being instructed to draw down their workforces to "essential personnel only" by March 13. The Bureau of Reclamation, a critical agency for America’s farmers and ranchers, is among those affected. Veterans are feeling the strain. Federal workers are receiving notices, warning of drastic reductions in services.

These cuts are not about fiscal responsibility. How could marginal savings from agency downsizing offset the trillions in tax cuts funneled to corporations and the ultra-wealthy? The math does not add up, and the motive behind these actions is not about balancing the budget.

So, what is Trump planning? The answer is clear: consolidation of power.

A manufactured crisis, a dismantled government, and a population forced into chaos all create the perfect storm for a leader who has no intention of stepping aside. By paralyzing federal operations and starving essential services, he can create a pretext for extreme executive actions—potentially even the suspension of future elections.

The true power in America has always been with the people. That's why standing up, organizing, and refusing to accept the dismantling of our institutions is imperative.

If democracy is to survive, we cannot afford to sit idly by while it is eroded in real time.

They are counting on us to be too overwhelmed, too distracted, or too divided to fight back. But history has shown that when the people unite, authoritarianism can be stopped. The time to act is now—before the government grinds to a halt, before elections are compromised, and before we find ourselves in a nation that no longer resembles the democracy we once took for granted.

Join me at a roundtable in Montana. Stand up in your community, volunteer where you are needed, volunteer to serve on local boards and committees. If you are stretched thin and already working on the ground, never underestimate the power of an ask of a friend or neighbor to join this effort.

Building strong, united communities is our best defense against the erosion of democracy. When people come together, refuse to be divided, and take action, they win. It’s how democracy has survived before, and it’s how we will save it again.