By the White House’s Own Definition, We Are No Longer a Democracy

I write to you deeply concerned about the state of democracy in our country. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently stated: “If we live in a country where the will of the American people is subverted by a single judge in a single court, we no longer live in a democracy.” If we take Leavitt’s words at face value, then we must ask ourselves: Are we still a democracy under President Trump? This administration has made it abundantly clear that it does not believe in checks and balances. President Trump has outright stated that he has “total authority” and that he can do “anything [he] wants with this country.” These are not the words of a leader committed to democratic governance; they are the words of a ruler who believes he is above the law. By Leavitt’s own logic, democracy ceases to exist when a single individual or branch of government holds unchecked power. Yet, under this administration, we are witnessing: • Defiance of Judicial Orders: Trump’s deportation policies continue even after federal courts have issued injunctions. His administration argues that the judiciary should not have the power to block executive actions. • Attacks on the Rule of Law: Trump has repeatedly dismissed legal constraints, claimed absolute immunity from prosecution, and used government agencies to target political enemies. • Dismantling of Oversight: The administration has purged watchdog officials, resisted congressional subpoenas, and retaliated against whistleblowers. So if judicial oversight threatens democracy, as Leavitt suggests, then what do we call a government where the executive branch claims total authority? By her definition, we are no longer living in a democracy—we are living under one-man rule. I urge Congress to act before the erosion of democracy becomes irreversible. We must restore the balance of power before we reach a point where elections, laws, and courts are meaningless in the face of an unchecked executive.