Comprehensive Overview of the Autocracy Threat Tracker

This tracker, available as a PDF, was first published on February 26, 2024, and is updated regularly. The latest update is July 9, 2024.
Former President Donald Trump has declared intentions of becoming a dictator on "day one." He and his team have outlined numerous actions for a potential second term that threaten democracy, the rule of law, and both U.S. and global security. These proposed actions include violating laws on immigration, firing civil servants, prosecuting political rivals, and pardoning convicted January 6 rioters. This tracker monitors and updates these developments.
Key topics include:

• Supreme Court’s Decision on Presidential Immunity: The Court’s ruling grants broad immunity to Trump for official acts, posing risks to democratic principles.
• Immigration and Deportation: Trump’s plans include mass deportations and using the military to enforce immigration laws.
• Rule of Law: Threats to prosecute political opponents and misuse the Justice Department for personal gain.
• Energy and Environment: Plans to expand fossil fuel extraction and dismantle environmental protections.
• January 6 Rioters: Promises to pardon and release those involved in the Capitol attack.
• Federal Employees and Agencies: Plans to purge civil servants and restructure federal agencies.
• Election Integrity: Efforts to influence future elections and spread conspiracy theories.
• Constitutional Violations: Trump’s actions and rhetoric suggest a disregard for constitutional limits.
• Demonizing Opponents: Trump’s inflammatory language against those who oppose him.
• Praise for Autocrats: Trump’s admiration for leaders like Putin, Xi, and Kim Jong-un.
• Economic Policies: Potential economic impacts of Trump’s autocratic moves.
• Public Health and Disinformation: Spread of misinformation about health and other critical issues.
• Christian Nationalism: Plans to incorporate religious nationalism into governance.
• Education and Free Speech: Efforts to control educational content and suppress dissenting views.
  The tracker emphasizes the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to counter these threats to democracy.

The article provides a comprehensive overview of former President Donald Trump’s potential plans and promises if he were to regain the presidency. It highlights various areas where Trump and his advisors have discussed actions that could threaten democracy, the rule of law, and both U.S. and global security. Key points include:

1. Day One Dictatorship Promise: Trump has repeatedly stated his intent to act as a dictator on his first day in office, focusing on actions such as closing the border, initiating mass deportations, and increasing oil drilling.
2. Attacks on the Rule of Law: Trump plans to use the Department of Justice to target political opponents, potentially dismiss federal prosecutions against himself, and pardon January 6th rioters. He also supports extreme measures like prosecuting his adversaries and using the military against civilian protestors.
3. Immigration Policies: Trump’s proposed immigration policies include mass deportations, using the military to enforce immigration laws, ending birthright citizenship, and reintroducing travel bans from predominantly Muslim countries.
4. Energy and Environmental Policies: Trump intends to dismantle environmental regulations, promote fossil fuel extraction, and halt renewable energy projects like offshore wind energy.
5. Supreme Court’s Presidential Immunity Decision: A recent Supreme Court decision granting Trump broad presidential immunity poses a significant risk to democratic principles and the rule of law.
6. Project 2025: This initiative by Trump allies aims to fundamentally alter the nature of American government, including dismantling or overhauling federal departments, purging civil servants, and imposing conservative policies across the board.
7. Autocratic Tendencies: Trump’s rhetoric and actions suggest a significant risk of autocracy, including threats to prosecute his political opponents, praise for authoritarian leaders, and plans to undermine democratic institutions.
8. Economic Implications: Trump’s proposed policies could lead to economic instability, inflation, and protectionist harms, further exacerbating the risks associated with autocratic governance.
9. Recommendations for Counteraction: Various recommendations are provided to counter these threats, including building pro-democracy coalitions, strengthening civil society, and implementing legal and regulatory frameworks to safeguard democratic institutions.
   The article underscores the urgent need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect democracy in the face of these potential threats.