Warning Bells: Former GOP Strategist Raises Alarms Over 'Classic Step' Toward Autocracy

Democracy in Peril: Former GOP Strategist Issues Stark Warning on Trump's InfluenceStuart Stevens, a prominent former Republican strategist, has reiterated his concerns regarding the nation's trajectory toward autocracy, particularly under the influence of former President Donald Trump and the current GOP. Appearing on MSNBC, Stevens discussed a recent op-ed authored by three conservative attorneys, published in The New York Times, sounding the alarm that the "Trump threat is growing." The attorneys called on legal professionals to rise to the occasion and safeguard democracy.

Stevens highlighted the unsettling trend of White House lawyers concocting dubious theories to impede the peaceful transition of power, emphasizing the critical moment faced by the legal profession. He pointed out that those endorsing fringe legal theories have essentially declared democracy as the enemy due to their perceived inability to win elections in an evolving America. Stevens emphasized that the Republican Party's failure to appeal to nonwhite voters has led to attempts to manipulate the vote, characterizing it as a "classic step" toward autocracy.

Despite facing numerous legal challenges, including 91 felony counts and being found liable for sexual abuse and fraud, Trump maintains significant support among elected Republicans. He currently leads the race for the GOP's 2024 presidential nomination by a substantial margin. Stevens cautioned that these individuals, despite their legal troubles, are formidable, well-financed, and unwavering in their belief that they will emerge victorious.

Stevens, author of "The Conspiracy to End America: Five Ways My Old Party Is Driving Our Democracy to Autocracy," served as a top adviser to Sen. Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential race. As reports circulate about Trump's plans for an even more extreme agenda in a potential second administration, experts on authoritarianism globally express growing concerns about the implications for American democracy. The interview on MSNBC provides further insight into Stevens' perspective on the current state of U.S. politics.

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