In a series of recent events, concerns about Donald Trump’s approach to presidential authority and his admiration for leaders who rule with absolute power have grown stronger. A recent meeting at a White House event, where the American president praised a foreign leader’s long time in office, gave a clear look into this way of thinking.
The leader of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, who has been repeatedly accused of ruling like a dictator by international observers, mentioned that he had been in power for 22 years. Per NBC, Trump’s reaction was not one of worry but of approval: “Twenty-two years, that’s pretty good. That means he’s tough and smart.”
During a press conference, he responded to critics who called him a dictator for his decisions about the National Guard in Washington, D.C. He did not argue that the label was wrong. Instead, he said the criticism was a distraction from what he claimed was a good and necessary goal. “Already they’re saying, ‘He’s a dictator.’ The place is going to hell, and we’ve got to stop it. So instead of saying ‘he’s a dictator,’ they should say, ‘We’re going to join him and make Washington safe.'”
Trump isn’t afraid of acting like a dictator
The president’s words suggest that the methods used to fix the problem did not matter as long as the goal was achieved. He argued that instead of criticizing him, his opponents should support his efforts to make the city safe. This way of thinking shows a belief that the results justify the actions, which is a dangerous mindset for any leader in a democracy.
The past year, and especially the past week, has been particularly troubling for those worried about the rise of authoritarian rule. The president has taken steps such as sending the National Guard to patrol the streets of the capital, looking for ways to avoid working with Congress, and trying to exert control over private businesses and cultural institutions. When accused of acting like a dictator, he did not deny the claim but instead brushed it off as unimportant.
Trump: “Already they're saying, ‘He's a dictator.’ The place is going to hell, and we've got to stop it. So instead of saying, ‘He's a dictator,’ they should say, ‘We're going to join him and make Washington safe.’” pic.twitter.com/AfuXH1JEOn
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) August 13, 2025
This disregard for constitutional limits was further emphasized by comments from one of his top officials. His border advisor, Tom Homan, told reporters, “President Trump doesn’t have a limitation on his authority to make this country safe again. There’s no limitation on that.” This statement goes against the basic principles of the American government, which was designed to limit presidential authority through laws, court decisions, and equal branches of government.
Hearing a member of the administration dismiss these checks and balances as unimportant is a serious and disturbing development. It suggests that those close to the president believe his power has no real limits when he is pursuing something he sees as necessary for national security or public safety.
