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HRW Report: Trump Fuels U.S. Authoritarianism Amid Global Decline

2/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

HRW's World Report 2026 says U.S. President Donald Trump steers the United States toward authoritarianism.
The report says global democracy is at its lowest in four decades and notes harms to women and minorities.
It cites violent actions by ICE agents and racial scapegoating as examples.
HRW notes freedom declines in the United States and powers like Russia and China, and calls for a rights alliance involving Afghanistan and Iran.

History

Historical Context

In 1986, only 30% of countries were classified as democratic by Freedom House, reflecting a significant global decline in democracy. This trend continued, with the 2017 Democracy Index marking the worst year for democracy since 2010. The recent HRW report highlights authoritarianism under President Trump, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to combat rising authoritarianism and protect minority rights.

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Story summary

HRW's World Report 2026 says U.S. President Donald Trump steers the United States toward authoritarianism.
The report says global democracy is at its lowest in four decades and notes harms to women and minorities.
It cites violent actions by ICE agents and racial scapegoating as examples.
HRW notes freedom declines in the United States and powers like Russia and China, and calls for a rights alliance involving Afghanistan and Iran.

1 / 2