I would argue that what will ultimately save us from the gradual erosion of democracy in the United States isn’t the strength of our institutions or the rigidity of democratic norms. What will save us, ironically, is President Trump and the cabinet of deplorables. The President does not seem to have the political instincts to be a successful autocrat and his cabinet seems to be at a level of incompetence that truly is unprecedented. Trump did not make a good candidate, his electoral success was the result of a flawed Democratic candidate and Russian interference. However, it is undeniable that a cult of personal exists around him, although current polling suggests the number of Americans who “strongly support” the President has shrunk over the last few weeks. My point is, his actions throughout the campaign and as President shows that he is not a rational actor. He is unable to create stable political coalitions or organize the bureaucracy in a way that could give him the power he needs to become the type of leader he envies. If there were a terrorist attack or crisis, I’m unconvinced that he could rally the public to his side and allow for an expansion of Presidential power. George Bush, for his many flaws, was a likable person with a more than limited knowledge of the world. He also had advisors who had a clear vision and connections within the existing power structure to bring their neoconservative goals to fruition. FDR, also had advisors who understood how to work with congress and manipulate the agencies in a way that would allow their agenda to move forward. He was also, a dynamic speaker who was well liked. Donald Trump has neither the charisma nor the cabinet to take advantage of a crisis. Recall that after the Florida Night Club shooting, Trump spewed out a reactionary message about so called Radical Islam…and his poll numbers actually went down. Who is the envoy to the government insiders that could make Trump the authoritarian President? Not Jared Kushner (at least not anymore), not Steve Bannon, not Stephen Miller, and perhaps not even Reince Priebus or Mike Pence at this point. Lastly, the elite fracture….I believe partisanship may be so intense, that even if Trump’s approval sat in the 20s, Democrats could not muster the support they would need to continue with what would effectively be regime change. To say that Moderate Republicans exist in Congress is to say that Tomatoes are Fruit, yes that’s technically true but not really. Susan Collins and the Tuesday Group, they’re conservatives. They appear moderate because Republicans have lurched to the far right, but Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski will not save us. Trump, for all his rhetoric, supports an agenda that is unabashedly conservative. I don’t believe that the Republican congress has the moral fiber to put country before tax cuts.

In summation, If Donald Trump was reasonably competent, he could usher in the dissolution of Democracy. If Donald Trump were not surrounded by Scandal, and had a shred of credibility, then perhaps he could become an autocrat. If the President were able to build coalitions and not antagonize his enemies, then there’s a possibility that he could achieve what we previously thought was unachievable. But he isn’t, he is, and he won’t…Therefore I think we’ll be fine as long as do as you said…

“be vigilant watchdogs, activists, and advocates making sure that if/when we see the warning signs”. Great Read