While the U.S. remains a democracy, experts say warning signs including the concentration of power in the executive branch are drawing increased scrutiny. As political tensions deepen, some Americans question whether their rights are being protected.
“There’s been a massive amount of power concentrated in the executive branch,” said Molly Nixon of the Cato Institute. “That’s not a new thing… it’s been happening over a number of decades, and especially within the last few years.” Nixon added that more Americans are expressing fear about the possibility of autocratic governance.
Public distrust has become more visible in recent demonstrations, including the nationwide “No Kings” protests in 2025, where millions took to the streets.
“At this point, we’ve passed the tipping point,” said Michelle Peterson, who attended a rally in Washington. “We don’t have a democracy anymore… we have an oligarchy because voting doesn’t change anything,” she added, criticizing what she sees as an erosion of checks and balances.
Concerns have also intensified around the judiciary as the Supreme Court of the United States considers a major 2025 case tied to birthright citizenship. The case stems from a 2025 executive order seeking to limit automatic citizenship for some children born on U.S. soil, challenging long-standing interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Andrei Balubata, a student at Oceana High School, said he fears the implications. “If the 14th Amendment is under attack… it gives me fear of not being born here and having my citizenship taken away,” he said, noting his family’s immigrant background.
Despite these concerns, experts emphasize that American institutions remain intact.
“We’re not there,” Nixon said, referring to autocracy. “We do have three branches that still have all of their constitutional powers.” Courts, state officials and election systems continue to function, even amid political pressure.
