The Trump Administration’s Betrayal of Liberal Democracy

New “American” Identity Under the Trump Administration

On February 4th, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order ordering the United States to withdraw and end funding to certain United Nations (UN) organizations, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). 

The main reason cited for halting the United States’ commitment to these organizations is due to the United Nations drifting away from American interests and attacking its allies while spreading anti-semitism. President Trump has proclaimed that “our sovereignty will be reclaimed” as a justification for ending the United States’ commitment to cooperating with international law. 

However, the United States’ determination to continue its obligations under international law is a choice that exercises its very sovereignty, which is sacred to many Americans. The United States, under international law, has been a champion of democracy across the globe, and it has prospered from international cooperation through the formation of new allies and engaging in open, free-market trading. Allies across Europe, Asia, and South America looked up to the American model of democracy as a guide to improving their own system of governance.

Now, the Trump administration has made it clear that it supports autocratic countries like Russia in the war against Ukraine. In a United Nations General Assembly meeting in February, the United States sided with Russia, voting against United Nations resolutions condemning Russia’s actions against Ukraine. 

Liberal Versus Illiberal Democracy

Ever since the United States sided with Russia at the General Assembly, some of the United States’ closest allies, like France and Great Britain, have expressed their discontent with the way the United States sided against them. Not only has the United States sided with Russia, but it has also chosen to betray liberal democratic values. 

A modern liberal democracy is a system of governance in which rulers are held accountable for their actions by citizens who exercise their powers through elected representatives. President Trump’s actions go against the core principles of liberal democracy, which uphold the rule of law. Trump talks of reclaiming the Panama Canal and annexing Canada and Greenland while disobeying international law, which contains his thirst for power.

The Trump administration has moved towards an illiberal democracy that opposes the process of checks and balances while dismantling democratic institutions both domestically and abroad. Trump has continued to push a new “America First” campaign that represents international cooperation as weak and advocates imperialist rhetoric, mirroring that of dictators.

President Trump ridiculed President Zelensky of Ukraine in an Oval Office meeting, reasserting a firm position in favor of Putin’s Russia. Following this, other members of the Trump administration, such as Pete Hegseth, have ordered the Pentagon to stop offensive cyberoperations against Russia, creating a large national security risk. 

In addition, Trump has continuously attacked international organizations, such as placing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), increasing the risk of impunity for serious criminals. Furthermore, the Trump administration’s potential plans to remove Palestinians from Palestine are also a clear violation of international humanitarian law, which is considered a war crime and a crime against humanity. 

Struggle to Uphold the Rule of Law

These past few months have shown that the United States is not immune to rising autocratic tendencies, polarized governance, and weakened democratic norms. While the Trump administration continues its efforts to consolidate power, there are specific steps that supporters of liberal democracy can take. According to the Democracy Playbook of 2025, there are seven pillars to defend democracy: protect free and fair elections, defend the rule of law, fight corruption, reinforce civic and media space, protect pluralistic governance, counter disinformation, and make democracy deliver.

Out of these seven pillars, protecting elections, defending the rule of law, and fighting corruption have been undermined as the Trump administration actively tries to enforce executive orders to rebuild a government loyal to Trump while supporting autocratic countries like Russia. 

Despite these challenges to democracy, individuals at every level of society can mobilize and actively participate in defending liberal democracy. Workers in the executive branch must stand up to the president’s attempts to destroy beneficial institutions. Congress and the judicial branch must work to limit the control of the president and his administration. Lastly, individuals from universities to workplaces must create coalitions and push back against unconstitutional acts to uphold liberal democratic norms.

Image Source: PBS