Over 300 Former US Security Officials Warn Trump Era Erodes Democracy, Risks Authoritarian Shift

President Donald Trump's administration has been marked by significant political and security shifts, including purges within major agencies, increased executive power, and a push for loyalty that some perceive as authoritarian. His bold actions, such as authorizing strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and securing the release of Israeli hostages, are praised by supporters but raise concerns among intelligence and defense professionals about the erosion of democratic norms. Trump's cultural policies and rhetoric have intensified America's culture wars, which philosopher Nigel Biggar argues are profound moral and political battles threatening liberal values of truth-seeking and civility. The Smithsonian's withdrawal of Amy Sherald's exhibit on a Black transgender woman, amid critiques from the White House, exemplifies ongoing cultural conflicts under Trump’s influence. Meanwhile, foreign adversaries like China and Russia exploit these internal divisions, using America's youth's distraction by culture wars to advance their own technological and geopolitical goals. Experts warn that the true battleground today is psychological attention, with America's societal discord weakening its global standing and internal cohesion.