Concerns over autocracy in the U.S. continue to grow

Scholars warn the country may have already crossed the threshold into a "mild form of competitive authoritarianism"

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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As the United States heads toward the midterm elections, there are growing concerns among some political scientists that the country has moved even further along the path to some form of autocracy. Staffan I. Lindberg, the director of Sweden's V-Dem Institute, says the U.S. has already crossed the threshold and become an "electoral autocracy." Steven Levitsky, a professor at Harvard, agrees, arguing the U.S. has slid into a "mild form of competitive authoritarianism" where the ruling party uses tactics like attacking the press and disenfranchising voters to tilt the electoral playing field.

Why it matters

The concerns over autocracy in the U.S. raise serious questions about the state of American democracy and whether the country is backsliding toward authoritarianism. If the U.S. has indeed crossed the threshold into some form of competitive authoritarianism, it would have major implications for the country's political system, elections, and civil liberties.

The details

Scholars point to several concerning developments under the Trump administration as evidence of the country's drift toward autocracy. This includes the administration's threats against media outlets like ABC, as well as Trump's proposal to use U.S. troops to patrol American cities, which some say echoes the language of dictators in South America. However, a smaller number of scholars reject the portrayal of Trump as a would-be autocrat, arguing he is simply expanding executive power to address the excesses of his predecessor.

  • In September, the Trump administration threatened ABC's parent company, Disney, following Jimmy Kimmel's comments.
  • Also in September, President Trump proposed that U.S. generals use American cities as training grounds for their troops.

The players

Staffan I. Lindberg

The director of Sweden's V-Dem Institute, which monitors democracy across the globe.

Steven Levitsky

A professor of government at Harvard University and co-author of "How Democracies Die".

Jonathan Turley

A professor at George Washington University Law School and the author of "Rage and the Republic".

Kurt Weyland

A professor who researches democracy and authoritarianism at the University of Texas at Austin.

Kim Scheppele

A Princeton University sociologist who has studied the authoritarian tactics of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

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What they’re saying

“I would argue that the United States in 2025-26 has slid into a mild form of competitive authoritarianism. I think it's reversible, but this is authoritarianism.”

— Steven Levitsky, Professor of Government, Harvard University (NPR)

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

— Brendan Carr, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (NPR)

“We're under invasion from within. No different than a foreign enemy, but more difficult in many ways because they don't wear uniforms.”

— President Trump (NPR)

“There are legitimate objections that have been raised by the Trump administration. That does not justify some of the means, but there is a long-standing need for a debate within these institutions.”

— Jonathan Turley, Professor, George Washington University Law School (NPR)

“If the guy had succeeded in seriously skewing [future] elections in the House, that would've gone to the core of democracy, but he didn't. He got barely anything.”

— Kurt Weyland, Professor, University of Texas at Austin (NPR)

What’s next

The next big test for American democracy could come in November's midterm elections, as the Trump administration is suing states to hand over voter data, which worries some experts who have studied authoritarian tactics in other countries.

The takeaway

The growing concerns over autocracy in the U.S. highlight the fragility of American democracy and the need for vigilance in protecting democratic norms and institutions. While some scholars remain optimistic that the system can withstand the current challenges, the country appears to be at a critical juncture where the future of its democratic system hangs in the balance.