U.S. risks losing "democracy status" under Trump, report says

A new report by the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project suggests that the United States could lose its status as a democracy under President Donald Trump. The report, which covers data up to the end of 2024, was led by Staffan Lindberg from Sweden's University of Gothenburg. Lindberg expressed concern that if current trends continue, the U.S. may be classified as non-democratic by 2026. He compared Trump's actions to those of other leaders known for authoritarian rule, stating that Trump is attempting to implement such changes much faster than they did. The V-Dem report still categorizes the U.S. as a "Liberal Democracy," the highest ranking, and notes that it does not include events from 2025, when Trump started his latest presidential term. The report highlights actions taken by Trump, such as pardoning supporters, firing independent watchdogs, and making significant changes to federal programs. V-Dem warns that if the U.S. continues down this path, it may fall into the category of "electoral autocracy." This means that while citizens may still be able to vote and express freedoms, they could face risks of retaliation for their actions. Supporters of Trump argue that his approach aligns with what he promised during his campaign and that claims of a "threat to democracy" are exaggerated. Critics, meanwhile, raise alarms about his administration's actions and implications for American democratic principles. The V-Dem project is funded by several sources, including the World Bank and the Open Society Foundation, which some believe influences its conclusions.