A passage from Machiavelli’s The Prince has been on my mind since Donald Trump’s re-election. The excerpt warns of the dangers faced by a ruler who takes control of a city used to liberty but fails to dismantle its foundations, as its people may eventually rise up in the name of freedom and their enduring institutions.
Trump seems to grasp this principle instinctively. Now in command of a nation built on democratic ideals, he appears intent on dismantling its core structures to protect his rule. This is evident in his Cabinet picks, including figures aiming to expel millions of immigrants, politicize the military, undermine intelligence agencies, and dismantle public health protections.
Trump’s administration seems determined to undermine the very foundations of democracy
His administration’s energy policies promise to exacerbate climate crises rather than mitigate them, while the creation of a Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaires, signals cuts to essential public programs.
The attack on American democracy is revealing visibly, with the republic deteriorating rapidly. Failures to hold Trump accountable have compounded the problem. The Senate chose not to convict him for attempting to overturn the 2020 election, the Department of Justice delayed prosecuting his offenses, and Democrats failed to mount a competitive primary to challenge him effectively.
Yet Machiavelli’s words also offer hope. Writing during Florence’s transformation into a monarchy, he championed the power of citizens to defend their freedoms. His call to remember liberty resonates today, urging us to draw on our institutions and values to resist authoritarianism.
The liberties Americans are losing under Trump’s renewed presidency are glaring. Reflecting on the past reminds us of a time when Senate oversight mattered, the presidency had limits, women retained reproductive rights, and public health followed science. These memories threaten Trump, fueling his efforts to erode the institutions that might constrain him.
Machiavelli’s The Prince serves as more than a cautionary tale; it is a rallying cry for action. Enlightenment philosopher Rousseau once observed that Machiavelli disguised lessons for the people as advice for rulers.
At its heart, the text underscores the importance of liberty and the imperative for individuals to safeguard it. In preserving freedom, both Trump’s supporters and detractors may at the end unite in defense of the institutions under threat.
