Democracy on the Brink?
In recent years, the debate over the balance of power in American democracy has intensified. The rise of executive power, the erosion of institutional checks, and the rhetoric of leaders invoking monarchical language have ignited concerns about whether the United States is slipping away from its foundational principles.
The Founding Fathers, having fought to free the nation from a king’s rule, left behind a constitutional framework designed to prevent tyranny in all forms—whether from a monarchy or from an unrestrained majority. With the recent resurgence of authoritarian rhetoric, examining their warnings is more important than ever.
The Founders’ Fear of Monarchy: Trump’s ‘King’ Assertion and the Democratic Response
On February 19, 2025, President Donald Trump stirred controversy when he proclaimed, “LONG LIVE THE KING!” after claiming victory over New York’s congestion pricing policy. The statement, along with AI-generated images of Trump in a crown, reignited fears that the modern presidency is drifting toward monarchy—a notion America’s founders explicitly rejected.
Thomas Paine, in Common Sense (1776), wrote:
“For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other.”
This was more than mere rhetoric—it was a declaration of independence from rule by a single man. The Founders debated fiercely over executive power, ensuring that no American president would ever wield unchecked authority.
Hamilton’s Defense of a Strong, but Accountable Executive
While many Founders feared the rise of a monarchy, Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 70, made the case for a single executive to ensure stability and effective governance. He argued:
“Energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government …it is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks, to the steady administration of laws, to the protection of property, to justice; to the security of liberty.”
However, Hamilton also emphasized that this power must be checked by accountability to the people and constitutional limitations. The idea of an “elected king” was anathema to the American political tradition.
John Adams’ Dire Warning: Democracy’s Self-Destruction
John Adams, in his 1814 letter to John Taylor, issued a stark warning about both monarchy and democracy. He wrote:
“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”
Adams’ fear was that an unrestrained democracy could lead to chaos, ultimately paving the way for an authoritarian ruler. He warned that when people grow frustrated with the inefficiencies of democratic governance, they often look for a “strongman” to restore order—echoing concerns over today’s political climate.
Napoleonic Comparisons: “He Who Saves His Country Does Not Violate Any Law”
President Trump’s invocation of Napoleon Bonaparte further intensified concerns over unchecked executive power. His statement—“He who saves his country does not violate any law”—echoed justifications used by autocrats throughout history. Critics, including Senator Adam Schiff, warned that such rhetoric is reminiscent of dictators who claim they are above the law.
The U.S. Constitution, however, was explicitly designed to prevent such a scenario. The separation of powers ensures that no single branch can usurp authority beyond its constitutional bounds.
The Modern Crossroads: Will America Preserve Its Republic?
As Benjamin Franklin famously said when asked what kind of government had been created, he responded:
“A republic, if you can keep it.”
The Founders’ warnings were not just historical musings—they were prescient concerns about the durability of democracy itself. As modern political leaders flirt with monarchical rhetoric and unchecked executive power, the American people must decide whether they will uphold the republic their Founders fought so hard to establish.
Preserving Our Democratic Republic
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