Donald Trump’s sworn on Monday marks the start of another tumultuous four-year term, defined by his pledges to expand executive authority, deport millions of immigrants, and target his political adversaries. The real estate developer turned politician has promised to fulfill his “Make America Great Again” vision, heralding a “new day” of American strength, prosperity, and pride. However, his assumption of office signals the onset of a period of potential upheaval that may challenge the very foundations of democracy.
In his first speech, Trump, 70, will try to bolster his reputation among young people. “Someday, 30 years from now, 40 years from now, 50 years from now, some of you will say ‘Donald Trump did a good job,'” he will tell them as he tries to position himself as an enduring force for progress.
However, Trump will likely unleash a torrent of executive actions during his first hours at the White House. He will reinstitute his travel bans, suspend refugee admissions, and take steps to end birthright citizenship, all of which would require constitutional change. He has also promised to impose higher tariffs that could hurt the economy.
His promises to punish his enemies challenge the checks and balances defining a democracy. He will face legal challenges if he attempts to fire a special counsel investigating Russian election meddling or pardon any former officials who have been convicted of crimes. He may also seek to fire top Justice Department officials he considers biased against him and replace them with loyalists.
Experts have urged Trump to resist those efforts to limit his powers. But he is set to reimpose his travel and refugee bans, deport millions, and expand his power to nudge companies to hire US workers. He has also vowed to crack down on violent crime, rebuild cities, and reopen factories that have moved offshore.
In addition to limiting the rights of some Americans, Trump’s actions are a warning sign that his presidency could be a precursor to autocracy. He has embraced conspiracy theories of massive voter fraud and bragged about his ability to use the criminal justice system as a weapon against his opponents. He has praised authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin of Russia and Viktor Orban of Hungary.
Despite all the scandals and accusations, Trump has maintained a popular base. He has tapped the wealthiest people in the world, including tech tycoons Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, to run his administration and has replaced nonpartisan bureaucrats with hand-picked loyalists. The sworn completes a triumphant comeback for a political disruptor who survived two impeachment trials, a felony conviction, and two assassination attempts to become president. And he’s set to wield more power than any president in history. Yet his second act could prove even more volatile. “This is how autocrats cement their grip on power,” said Ian Bassin, a director of the nonprofit group Protect Democracy. He says that’s especially true in this era of digital media when it’s easier for a leader to spread falsehoods and incite violence.