Democrats have warned that former President Donald Trump will destroy democratic institutions if he is re-elected to the highest office in November. But former President Trump has said that democracy will end if he is not re-elected this year. VOA correspondent Dora McCourt examines whether a US president really has the power to destroy democracy.
The Constitution is America's founding document. It defines three branches of government: the executive, part of which is the presidency; the legislature, with the House of Representatives and the Senate; as well as the judiciary, with the Supreme Court and other courts. Each branch is designed to balance the other two. Separation of powers is at the core of American democracy.
“We're kind of in uncharted territory because it's assumed that President Trump has a desire, if he's re-elected, to explore new frontiers, even where previous presidents haven't gone.”says Professor Ronald Chen, from Rutgers University.
“I want to be a dictator just for a day and I will be a dictator for a day”former President Trump declared.
He has said that if he is re-elected, he will not be a dictator beyond the first day. But what would happen if a president tried in the future to exceed the powers?
“If the implication is that one of the branches is just going to throw away the separation of powers, I honestly think it has yet to be determined whether our system is strong enough to handle that.”says Professor Chen.
“He has openly said that he will be a dictator on the first day”said Vice President Kamala Harris.
One of the main messages of potential Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is that former President Trump is a danger to democracy. Democrats point to his failure to accept the results of the 2020 election, as well as the subsequent January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.
“Our battle is for freedom. Across the country we see a frontal attack on hard-earned freedoms and rights”said Vice President Harris.
“They keep saying that I am a danger to democracy. I ask what have I done to democracy? Last week I took the bullet for democracy”tha ish-Presidenti Trump.
Voters don't necessarily buy the argument that American democracy is at risk.
“I was talking to someone a few weeks ago who said, 'You hear all this stuff about Donald Trump trying to take down democracy, but he didn't do it,'” says Chris Edelson, from American University.
“There is still a feeling among some of the independent voters that the system worked. The transfer of power took place. So we're fine”says David Ramadan, of George Mason University.
It is not easy for a populist leader to destroy democracy, says Kurt Weyland, who studies democracy and authoritarian regimes.
“It only happens if there is a real institutional weakness and a very special opportunity because of the circumstances. So the argument is that in the case of the United States these kinds of circumstances do not apply.”he says.
Mr. Weyland says that there are a series of factors that limit the President from taking full power, like the right people in public functions. He cites the case of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who refused to help overturn the outcome of the 2020 election when former President Trump asked him to identify further votes in his favor.
“American democracy is strong and resilient. And the American people are committed to democracy and American officials are fully committed to their institutional duties.”says Mr. Weyland.
He adds that political leaders have a higher chance of destroying democracy if they have massive support from the people, with support levels above 70 percent. The highest level of support for former President Trump was at 49 percent. For President Biden, it was at 57 percent.
