“Our country is still not close to being a true autocracy… but the march often continues.”
The New York Times has accused President Donald Trump of undermining American democracy, describing him as an “autocrat” in a sweeping editorial titled “Are We Losing Our Democracy?” The piece, written by the publication’s Editorial Board, outlined 12 markers of democratic erosion, warning that the U.S. has already taken troubling steps toward autocracy.
“Our country is still not close to being a true autocracy, in the mold of Russia or China. But once countries begin taking steps away from democracy, the march often continues. We offer these 12 markers as a warning of how much Americans have already lost and how much more we still could lose,” it said.
The editorial accused Mr. Trump of defying the Constitution, using the military for domestic control, vilifying marginalized groups, controlling information, and using power for personal profit. It also alleged that he had declared false national emergencies, sought to dominate universities, and manipulated the law to remain in power.
“Mr. Trump’s culture of corruption may resemble the behavior of foreign autocrats more closely than any other category on this list,” the board wrote, citing his use of presidential authority to enrich himself and his family.
While acknowledging that the U.S. still retains a free press and an independent judiciary, the paper warned that the nation “has started down an anti-democratic path,” pledging to update its “autocracy index” in 2026 to track further developments.