America’s political landscape, already deeply divided, has been rocked by a new wave of accusations, policy maneuvers, and shifting public sentiment that have put the very nature of U.S. democracy under the microscope. At the center of this storm is President Donald Trump, whose recent actions and rhetoric have fueled both fervent support and growing alarm among his critics, according to a series of recent polls and political analyses.
A YouGov poll conducted between June 16 and June 18, 2025, paints a striking picture of the national mood. When Americans were asked if they agreed with the statement "The U.S. is a dictatorship," 24 percent of respondents said yes. But the numbers become even more revealing when broken down by political affiliation: 35 percent of Democrats and 30 percent of self-identified Independents agreed with the statement, while only 7 percent of Trump voters shared that view. Among those who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, a notable 37 percent believe the nation has descended into dictatorship. These figures mark a significant jump from a similar poll conducted in February, when only 18 percent overall—and 27 percent of Democrats—held that belief.
The timing of the poll’s release was no coincidence. It followed a controversial military parade in Washington, D.C., staged to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday. The spectacle drew comparisons to the grandiose displays favored by autocratic regimes. Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, did not mince words. After Trump threatened to have him arrested earlier in the month, Newsom fired back on the "Meidas Touch" podcast: "Was that said by Erdogan?! Who was that said by?!? Was that some dictator, some authoritarian in the history books? Or was that said by the President of the United States?" Newsom’s incredulity captured a sentiment echoed by many in his party.
But the perception of a slide toward authoritarianism isn’t just about parades and tough talk. The administration’s use of executive power has drawn sharp rebukes, even from within Republican ranks. On September 1, President Trump wielded a rarely used tool known as the "pocket rescission" to cancel $4.9 billion in foreign aid, most of it earmarked for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This maneuver, orchestrated by Russell Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget and a close Trump ally, allows the president to freeze funds for 45 days. If the freeze overlaps with the end of the fiscal year, the money is wiped out—without any need for congressional approval.
Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, condemned the move. "Congress has the responsibility for the power of the purse. Any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law," she said in a statement. The episode is seen by many as part of a broader effort by Trump and his inner circle to concentrate power in the executive branch—a strategy Vought has openly championed. Vought, a key architect of the conservative Project 2025, has said his goal is to "bend or break the bureaucracy to the presidential will" and to "traumatize" federal employees, aiming to shift power away from Washington and into the hands of local governments, churches, and families.
President Trump, for his part, has both embraced and dismissed the "dictator" label in public remarks. During a Cabinet meeting in late August, he mused, "The line is that I’m a dictator, but I stop crime. So a lot of people say, 'You know, if that’s the case, I’d rather have a dictator.'" He later added, "Most people say ... if he stops crime, he can be whatever he wants." The ambiguity of Trump’s statements—sometimes rejecting, sometimes flirting with the idea of authoritarianism—has given ammunition to both his supporters and detractors.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC), meeting in Minneapolis on August 26 and 27, seized on these developments. DNC Chair Ken Martin labeled Trump a "dictator-in-chief" and described his agenda as "fascism dressed in a red tie." The rhetoric, however, seemed to reflect more than just political theater. Democrats are facing headwinds in voter registration and enthusiasm, particularly in pivotal swing states. CNN data analyst Harry Enten noted that Republicans are better positioned in Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania than at any time in the past two decades. In Pennsylvania, GOP registration gains since 2016 have been particularly striking.
Some political observers argue that Democrats’ focus on labeling Trump as a dictator is a sign of desperation. Nicole Russell, an opinion columnist for USA TODAY, wrote, "Democrats can't beat President Donald Trump on the issues, so they're forced to mock him with outlandish labels like dictator and fascist." She pointed to Trump’s record since taking office in January 2025: revitalizing the economy, reducing illegal immigration, strengthening NATO, brokering peace in multiple conflicts, and hindering Iran’s nuclear ambitions. While many on the left contest these claims, there’s no denying that Trump’s tough-on-crime stance has resonated with a significant portion of the public.
Crime, in particular, has become a central issue. After a spike in homicides and violent crime in Washington, D.C., Trump ordered the National Guard and federal agents to restore order. The intervention worked, according to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who publicly acknowledged the drop in crime. An AP-NORC poll found that 53 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of crime—higher than his overall job approval. Two-thirds of respondents believe crime is a major problem, and 55 percent support military or National Guard assistance to police in large cities.
Yet, as the parties trade accusations and battle for the soul of the nation, the gap between their worldviews seems only to widen. Democrats warn of a creeping authoritarianism; Republicans accuse the left of fearmongering and failing to address real-world problems. Meanwhile, a growing share of Americans—particularly among Trump’s opponents—are questioning whether the country’s democratic institutions can withstand the strain.
With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, both parties face a test not just of their political strategies, but of their ability to convince Americans that the system itself is worth believing in. As the numbers from the YouGov and AP-NORC polls suggest, that’s a challenge neither side can afford to ignore.
