The American political landscape is rife with division and disagreement these days, and the issue of President Donald Trump’s authoritarian tendencies is no exception. In fact, a recent survey of two thousand people conducted by The Washington Post and the University of Maryland has revealed that many Americans are actually embracing Trump’s authoritarianism.
The survey found that more than half (59 percent) of the respondents agreed that the president should have the power to bypass Congress and issue executive orders to tackle important issues, while only 41 percent disagreed. Additionally, 63 percent of participants supported Trump’s idea of sending troops to the border to deal with illegal immigration.
While these findings may be concerning to many, they also indicate that there are certain segments of the population that are anticipating Trump’s tough stance on issues. One such group is the white male population, whose support for the president is nearly two-thirds. They are also more likely to express positive opinions about Trump’s strong rhetoric and policies than women and non-white Americans.
It’s not just white men that are embracing Trump’s authoritarianism, either. Many Americans are frustrated with the perceived inaction of the current political system and favor a more executive-driven approach. This is particularly evident among younger voters, who tend to view the president as a “tough leader willing to take on the establishment.”
The survey also found that many respondents support expanding the powers of the presidency, such as increasing the amount of administrative control over government agencies and regulations. This could potentially lead to more interference in the lives of everyday citizens, especially if enforced by arbitrary executive power.
Overall, it appears a significant number of Americans are embracing Donald Trump’s approach to governance, at least to some degree. As the president continues to use his executive authority to fulfill his policy agenda, it will be important to keep an eye on how the nation responds to his actions, and to which groups they appeal the most.