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Ken Burns’ 6-part documentary on the American Revolution is sparking renewed interest in our nation’s origin story.  Democracy, it turns out, was the outcome, not the purpose of the Revolution. The rebellion’s leaders needed to offer a new form of government to non-landowners to keep them in the fight against British forces. It succeeded.

But how is our democracy faring today, nearly 250 years since its founding? In this blog, I’ll explain why you should be concerned about the weakening of our democracy as Presidential power increases. But first, let’s look at the data.

US democracy circa 2025

Many indicators show that democratic rule in the US has suffered in the past decade. In 2016, there was Russian interference in the election. In Trump’s first term, he refused to comply with some Congressional requests and cast doubt on the security of our elections. In 2020, he would not accept Biden’s victory, leading to an attack on our Capitol.

Trump’s actions in his second term are creating greater erosion. Among many other steps, he has ignored Congressional control over spending and tariff policy. The Wall Street Journal says his management of the federal purse is more akin to China than our normal capitalistic markets. Without the mandated post 60-day Congressional approval for boat attacks in the Caribbean, he continues them. And US citizens, not just undocumented criminals, have been picked up by ICE.

SIDEBAR

There are accepted measures of democracy, such as Bright Line Watch and the Democracy Matrix, where the US ranks     

 36th. The Economist’s index, which measures pluralism, civil liberties, and political culture, rates us a flawed democracy.

We’re not even a year into Trump’s tenure. Given these troubling events, you may ask: Why should business leaders worry?

It’s a reasonable question for a business leader to ask. The market is up. Corporate earnings are great. Inflation will fall once the one-time impact of tariffs ends. And AI will help organizations become far more productive and, therefore, more profitable. And why get on Trump’s bad side? He is vindictive.

There are two main reasons to be concerned.

Reason One: Negative impact on growth

According to Brookings, populist leaders who undermine institutions reduce GDP per capita by about 10% over 15 years. Trump has weakened future growth by cutting education, foreign immigration, and funding for scientific research. His tax policies have worsened the deficit, weakened the dollar, and will threaten future credit ratings. His trade war with China will reduce US-China collaboration on AI, key to many US companies’ success.

Reason Two: A precarious status quo

US Senator Elissa Slotkin is a former CIA analyst. She served alongside our military during three tours in Iraq. She then worked in national security roles in the White House and Pentagon under Presidents Bush and Obama. A US House member starting in 2018, she became Michigan’s junior senator in 2024.

During a recent Brookings speech, Senator Slotkin connected three dots that suggest Trump will do everything he can to hold onto power, with consequences that will significantly disrupt how our country has functioned for centuries. Here are her points:

• U.S. presidents have unbridled power to attack foreign adversaries. But Trump’s use of lethal force against unnamed groups in the Caribbean, killing over 80 people, is unusual, as he has not designated the terrorist organizations despite Congressional requests.
• Trump is reorienting the US Justice Department, the FBI, and CIA towards the “enemy within,” requiring the government to identify domestic terrorist organizations. In an Executive Order, this list includes anti-capitalists, anti-Christians, and anti-Americans. Groups do not have to be violent to be added to the list, essentially giving Homeland Security a “domestic terrorist” list.
• Trump has used federal forces and the Justice Department to go after his enemies. He’s also created a rapid-response team in the National Guard that can deploy anywhere, including to quell future civil disturbances. He’s also surfaced the idea of invoking the Insurrection Act so that our military can “raid, detain, and arrest Americans.”

Senator Slotkin offers several scenarios of how these forces play out, all of which undermine, if not eliminate, a fair 2028 election. I can’t imagine what impact that would have on our nation or our economy. Can you?

Perhaps this fear is overstated.  But she is hardly alone in pointing out our move towards fascism, especially as Trump continues to monetize the Presidency.

What Business Leaders Can Do

With these risks in mind, what can we, as business leaders, do to help stabilize our democracy? Here are three actions:

1. Five US tech companies control the algorithms that advance rage and radicalize individuals. We should increase calls for legislation that makes these algorithms illegal while still protecting freedom of speech rights. BOTS that drive political division should be stopped.
2. Demand your congressional representatives stop any Trump action that threatens our right to vote and put up a greater fight against Russia, which has interfered with elections in the US and now Europe.
3. Encourage Congress to pass a Path to Citizenship Act to allow undocumented workers to remain in the US if they have no felonies on their records. This act would stabilize innumerable business sectors that rely on immigrant labor and make our communities safer and more economically vibrant.

Data show that a nation can prevent democracy’s loss if 3.5% of the population engages in active civil unrest: protests, boycotts, and civil engagement outside of elections, such as purchasing ice scrapers and returning them to Home Depot, where ICE has been welcomed. I hope business leaders will make up a healthy share of that 3.5%.

This discussion raises the question: Five years from now, what actions will you be proud to have taken as a business leader during this time? If you disagree that we are at risk, or do not care, be public with your voice. A healthy debate is at the core of democracy. Otherwise, decide today how you will help uphold democracy through your leadership and choices.