Democracy demands our defiance

Ask most Americans to describe what “authoritarian” looks like, and I’d wager it would be nothing like modern-day America.

Why? Because for many of us, the images that come to mind are from the worst crimes of history’s worst regimes. It’s victims, camps, soldiers goose-stepping through the streets. Terror.

But modern-day authoritarianism doesn’t come with tanks in the streets or military coups broadcast on national TV. Instead, it is subtle — almost invisible at first.

According to professors Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way, and Daniel Ziblatt — whose scholarly careers have focused on how democracies have died — today's autocrats don’t violently suppress opponents like past dictators did; instead, they weaponize government institutions against their critics. It’s a quieter but equally dangerous erosion of our democracy.

One we can already see well-underway.

Do we still live in a democracy?

Under Donald Trump’s administration, America has entered a troubling new era of what scholars call “competitive authoritarianism” — where democratic institutions appear intact but have been methodically repurposed as political weapons. The Trump administration hasn't hidden its agenda. It's systematically targeted critics, political opponents, and essential democratic institutions:

• Federal law enforcement agencies have been used to intimidate public officials like Christopher Krebs and Miles Taylor for simply doing their jobs and speaking the truth.

• Attorney General Letitia James faced retaliation for holding the administration accountable legally.

• Major law firms that represented or supported Democratic causes have faced punitive exclusion from government contracts, signaling an unprecedented politicization of the legal system.

• Trump’s administration has openly targeted the free press, initiating frivolous lawsuits against media giants like ABC News and CBS, creating a chilling effect on journalism.

• Universities, historically bastions of free thought, have been attacked through financial penalties and politicized investigations.

In light of this incomplete list of abuses, it’s important for each of us to ask ourselves just how free we still feel. Because when "citizens must think twice about criticizing or opposing the government because they could credibly face government retribution, they no longer live in a full democracy."

The fear is real — the stakes are, too

America is dangerously close to a tipping point. The quiet surrender of civic leaders — university presidents, corporate CEOs, media executives — out of fear of retaliation has emboldened authoritarianism. As Senator Lisa Murkowski candidly shared:

"We are all afraid … retaliation is real. And that’s not right."

This collective silence or quiet complicity has severe consequences:

• It emboldens further attacks by showing the administration that its tactics work.

• It weakens our society's democratic defenses by diminishing funding, legal protections, and public morale.

• It sends a message to everyday Americans that resistance is futile, potentially extinguishing the flame of grassroots democracy.

We can't afford to let this happen.

The Good News

Authoritarianism is reversible. Around the world, from Brazil to South Korea, determined citizens and unified civil society have successfully turned back authoritarian tides.

We at Bright America believe deeply in the resilience and strength of our democratic institutions and the spirit of the American people. We're already seeing cracks forming in the authoritarian armor:

• Campaign Legal Center — our strategic litigation partner whose legal challenges we are proud to fuel — sued Donald Trump and Elon Musk to stop many of their unlawful and anti-constitutional acts.

• Harvard stood firm against intimidation and threats to academic freedom.

• Microsoft publicly chose legal counsel willing to defy political bullying.

• Everyday citizens across the nation continue to hold "Hands Off" rallies, pushing back against the erosion of democratic norms.

These are victories — small yet profoundly meaningful — that demonstrate the power we have when we stand together.

Sorry, we can’t relax now

"No one has ever defeated autocracy from the sidelines."

We need your voice, your commitment, your courage:

• Support organizations — like Bright America — fighting to defend democracy.

• Demand that your leaders, universities, businesses, and media stand up against intimidation and retaliation.

• Speak boldly and without fear about the values you cherish: fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Democracy thrives only when defended vigorously by those who cherish it.

At Bright America, we’re putting ourselves out there, standing firmly against authoritarian overreach. But we can't do this alone. Join us, because democracy is not just worth fighting for — it’s worth winning back.

Together, let's ensure this dark chapter doesn't become our permanent reality. Our kids, grandkids, and future generations — not to mention ourselves — all deserve a Bright America.