Some experts warn that the U.S. may be teetering on the edge of authoritarianism — even if most Americans don’t see it yet.
In an exclusive interview with Katie Couric, political historian Heather Cox Richardson warned that democracy in the U.S. may be far more fragile than we realize.
“For most of us, democracy is all we’ve ever known,” said Richardson, who’s a professor at Boston College. “We’ve grown up with a government that invests in cancer research, supports education, improves infrastructure, strengthens supply chains, and bolsters the economy. The idea that these things could disappear doesn’t register for many — until it does.”
Some have already felt the impact of shifting policies more than others — particularly U.S. farmers, who now face millions in losses after the Trump administration froze funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Richardson also highlights the immense financial power of the U.S. government and warns that, as global alliances grow more fragile, authoritarian overreach is becoming an increasing threat. Leaders like Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orbán, and Xi Jinping have already tested the limits of power, and she suggests that Trump — and perhaps even Elon Musk — wants a piece of that. “To make it happen, you have to dismantle international alliances that prevent stronger nations from taking over weaker ones,” she explained. “And you have to eliminate the watchdogs who stand in the way.”
But Richardson believes all is not lost — as long as Americans refuse to sit idly by. “The way to stop an authoritarian is to stand up to them,” she said, pointing to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as a recent example. Last week, she pushed back against Trump’s 25 percent tariff threat on Mexican goods, ultimately negotiating a deal that forced him to back down. “She just threw everything in his face, and now he’s not picking on Mexico anymore,” Richardson noted.
Of course, most people aren’t world leaders. But, according to Richardson, there’s still plenty ordinary citizens can do, whether it’s joining pro-democracy organizations, countering misinformation in their own circles, or simply refusing to disengage. “Isolating yourself can make you feel more hopeless,” she said.
That includes reaching across the aisle, even to those with whom you might disagree. “Use personal stories,” she advised. “The more people understand what’s at stake, the more they realize the real cost of cutting government programs that impact millions of lives.”
As for Richardson herself, she’s not giving up — at least, not yet.
“America’s best days are behind us,” she admitted. “But I think we’re also writing its end days, which is profoundly sad. Still, I’m not ready to give up on it.”
For a deeper look at why Trump’s potential second term is so unprecedented, and what it could mean for the country, watch Katie’s full interview with Richardson in the video above.
