Donald Trump once again underscored his authoritarian tendencies on Friday when he openly discussed the “power” of the presidency during an event with the far-right group Moms for Liberty in Washington, D.C. When asked about what he could do for transgender children if he were to return to the Oval Office, Trump responded with unsettling confidence: “Well, you can do everything. The president has such power, it does. It has such power.”
This statement was in response to Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice, who expressed alarm over what she described as an “explosion” in the number of transgender children. Trump’s remarks are alarming, particularly in the context of his increasingly dictatorial rhetoric and his history of disregarding the checks and balances that are supposed to constrain executive power.
Trump’s comments come on the heels of a Supreme Court ruling last month that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts. This ruling seems to have emboldened Trump, who appears more eager than ever to expand the scope of presidential power—potentially at the expense of American democracy.
Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, quickly seized on Trump’s remarks. Her campaign shared a clip of his comments on social media, warning of the dangers posed by his authoritarian aspirations. “Trump fantasizes about his Project 2025 plan to take total control over Americans’ lives,” her campaign wrote, referencing the Heritage Foundation-led policy blueprint that outlines a sweeping agenda for a potential new Republican administration.
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Trump fantasizes about his Project 2025 plan to take total control over Americans’ lives: “You can do everything. The president has such power. It has such power” pic.twitter.com/nzkZLSQwTO
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 31, 2024
The Project 2025 plan has been criticized as a dangerous roadmap for rolling back civil liberties and consolidating power in the executive branch. Trump’s cavalier attitude towards the immense power of the presidency only serves to heighten these concerns.
Over the past year, Trump has repeatedly flirted with the idea of ruling with an iron fist. He has openly admired dictators like North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and has been compared to Adolf Hitler for his inflammatory rhetoric. In a 2023 interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump even joked about acting like a “dictator” on “day one” of a second White House term. Although he later defended this remark by blaming the “dishonest” media, his words reveal a troubling disregard for democratic norms.
Trump’s authoritarian leanings are not new. Throughout his first term, he consistently pushed the boundaries of executive power. He attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election, going so far as to incite a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He has also floated the idea of serving more than two terms, called for the “termination” of articles of the Constitution, and told a crowd of Christian supporters that they “won’t have to vote” anymore after November.
As Trump continues his campaign for a second term, it is clear that his vision for America is one where the president wields unchecked power. His comments on Friday are just the latest example of his dangerous ambitions. For those who value democracy, his words should serve as a stark warning of what is at stake in the upcoming election.
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery.
