Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Apr 15: President Donald Trump, only three months into his second term, is intensifying his battle against institutions that challenge his authority, including the judiciary, legal profession, media, and academia. The administration is increasingly asserting presidential power in ways that raise alarms about the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the Constitution.

Trump, alongside El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, expressed admiration for Bukele's authoritarian style. Bukele has suspended parts of his country's constitution and imprisoned tens of thousands without due process, fueling concerns that Trump may follow suit.

Trump's hardline policies, particularly on immigration, further highlight his defiance of the judiciary. The administration has refused to comply with a Supreme Court ruling to facilitate the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a deported migrant, raising fears of a constitutional crisis between the executive and judicial branches.

The White House has also taken aggressive steps to reshape the legal and educational landscape, pressuring law firms and universities to align with its agenda. Trump’s actions mirror those of other authoritarian leaders, like Hungary's Viktor Orbán, who have undermined the independence of the media, law, and academia.

While some institutions, like Harvard University, have resisted the administration's demands, others, such as Columbia University, have complied. The legal industry has also begun to push back, with major firms suing the administration over unconstitutional executive orders.

Trump’s refusal to respect judicial authority and his escalating attacks on key democratic institutions suggest a growing disregard for constitutional constraints and a dangerous drift toward authoritarianism. As this battle intensifies, the United States faces the possibility of a constitutional collision that could reshape its democracy.