Fascism, the New U.S. Reality
by Rogelio Sáenz
A U.S. presidency that has drifted away from constitutional limits, the rule of law, and democratic principles.
Many Americans use the term fascism to describe nations headed by rogue dictators. Never here! But, one year into Donald Trump’s second term as president, that comfort no longer exists.
What once seemed unthinkable is now clearly visible: a U.S. presidency that has drifted away from constitutional limits, the rule of law, and democratic principles.
From the start of his second term, Trump has acted as if legal rules no longer matter. At the outset, he pardoned approximately 1,600 January 6, 2021 rioters. Trump also began a massive deportation operation. The latest numbers: 353,000 arrests, 69,000 currently in detention, and over 352,000 deported.
At the same time, Trump has obscured the boundary between holding public office and private gain. His family and political allies have openly benefited from ventures in cryptocurrency, real estate, and artificial intelligence, without oversight or regard for conflicts of interest. The New York Times estimates that Trump has pocketed $1.4 billion from a wide variety of business ventures since taking office last year.
More troubling is the pattern of behavior. Trump has repeatedly disobeyed court orders, publicly criticized judges, and retaliated against political opponents and critics. Prestigious law firms and universities have faced intense political pressure replete with heavy financial penalties and heavy-handed concessions.
Abroad, Trump has used tariffs as blunt tools, threatened or antagonized allies, and ordered killings of suspected drug carriers on Venezuelan shores. At home, he has treated the presidency less as a constitutional office and more as a personal instrument of power and branding.
Trump’s lawlessness has accelerated defending lethal actions that took the life of Renee Nicole Good and Alexi Pretti at the hands of federal immigration agents
While 2026 is still in its infancy, Trump’s lawlessness has accelerated. He has already unilaterally invaded Venezuela, threatened various countries, defended lethal actions that took the life of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman, and more recently that of Alexi Pretti, a 37-year-old man, at the hands of federal immigration agents during protests in Minneapolis with Trump sheltering the killers from prosecution, and opened an investigation of Jerome H. Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve. These exploits reflect a governing philosophy rooted in domination rather than democratic consent.
The most sobering reality is that the traditional checks on presidential power are becoming less effective. Congress has shown little desire for confrontation. The courts, shaped by Trump’s judicial appointments, regularly side with him. An analysis demonstrated that Trump-appointed appellate judges, who he refers to as “my judges,” have supported him 92% of the time.
Still, cracks are starting to show. Several GOP lawmakers have stood up to Trump. Some of his supporters are also expressing dissatisfaction, especially about economic pressures and rising living costs. Latino voters who supported Trump in 2024 have strayed from him in recent elections. Business leaders are growing more uneasy about labor shortages and economic instability linked to mass deportations. Four polls in early January 2026 show increasing levels of voter disapproval of Trump with approval ratings ranging from 36% to 44%.
The upcoming midterm elections are a crucial test. Trump recognizes this, which is why he has already begun to influence the electoral landscape. Unusual mid-decade redistricting, pressure on election officials, and early claims of voter fraud all indicate a familiar tactic: discredit the elections unless the results favor him.
Democrats must provide a compelling vision that tackles economic insecurity, institutional reform, and democratic renewal.
The U.S. has entered perilous territory. In a span of a year, Trump has eroded democratic standards and normalized authoritarian behavior. The months ahead will decide whether Democrats can build an effective platform beyond that they are not Trump; they must provide a compelling vision that tackles economic insecurity, institutional reform, and democratic renewal.
The longer-term challenge is even more serious. Around the world, fascist leaders have extended their control by manipulating laws, courts, and elections. Trump has already tried this five years ago and will certainly do it again when his term ends.
Democracy slowly erodes, then suddenly it is a distant memory. The damage that the U.S. has already sustained will take decades to repair. Whether that process can start now depends on the willingness of citizens, institutions, and political leaders to recognize what is happening and to act before the erosion becomes irreversible.
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Copyright by Rogelio Sáenz. Rogelio is Professor of sociology and demography at the University of Texas at San Antonio. This essay reflects his own opinions and not those of UT San Antonio.