Authoritarian Watch

President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he walks to board Marine One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on January 11, 2026.

The Week of Colonial Fever Dreams From a Sundowning Fascist The Week of Colonial Fever Dreams From a Sundowning Fascist

The news was a firehose of stories of authoritarian behavior. We can’t let ourselves drown.

Jan 16, 2026 / Column / Sasha Abramsky

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speak with members of the National Guard during a visit to Union Station on August 20, 2025, in Washington, DC.

The Ugly Beast of American Authoritarianism The Ugly Beast of American Authoritarianism

Might is right is the philosophy behind the Trump administration’s decision to kidnap Nicolás Maduro.

Jan 8, 2026 / Column / Sasha Abramsky

Demonstrators rally against President Donald Trump during a protest, dubbed “Resist the Dictator,” to mark President's Day on February 17, 2025, in New York City.

How to Save a Democracy How to Save a Democracy

Looking at how the Trump administration fits into a pattern of authoritarian governance can empower people to think about how to best resist the country’s slide to autocracy.

Jan 2, 2026 / Sasha Abramsky

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