Three Yale Professors Flee US Citing Rising Authoritarianism

Three Yale professors—Marci Shore, Timothy Snyder, and Jason Stanley—renowned for their work on authoritarianism and fascism, have decided to leave the United States to teach at the University of Toronto, citing a growing democratic crisis under the Trump administration. They warn that America is experiencing a dangerous erosion of democratic norms, drawing historical parallels to Nazi Germany in 1933, emphasizing that complacency and belief in American exceptionalism could lead to authoritarianism. Shore likened the situation to people on the Titanic who believe their ship cannot sink, while Snyder highlighted the narrowing definition of freedom into authoritarianism, and Stanley expressed concern about fearing punishment for speaking out against fascist rhetoric. Their departure also reflects the Trump administration’s crackdown on universities, including investigations into diversity initiatives, funding cuts, and targeting of dissenting voices, which they view as a broader campaign to suppress opposition. They urge establishing centers of resistance outside the U.S. to continue their work without fear, underscoring the urgency to act before democratic institutions are irreparably damaged. The professors’ move symbolizes a warning that the U.S. faces a “democratic emergency” that requires vigilance and resistance to prevent further democratic decay.