Alexander Laban Hinton, a leading scholar of genocide and mass atrocities, warns that democratic backsliding under Trump is real—but says the U.S. federal system remains a crucial barrier to authoritarian rule. Here, white House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrive at The Mar-a-Lago Club, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

“Fortunately, the U.S. Federal System Is a Major Impediment to Authoritarianism”

by David Masciotra February 11, 2026February 10, 2026

An expert on mass atrocities and genocide, Alexander Laban Hinton explains what to fear in Trump’s term and how to manage the chaos ahead.

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Alexander Laban Hinton

“Fortunately, the U.S. Federal System Is a Major Impediment to Authoritarianism”

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