Raskin: Second Trump Term Could Resemble Russia Under Vladimir Putin

The potential reemergence of Donald Trump as president has been likened to the autocratic leadership seen in Russia under Vladimir Putin by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)

What Happened: The comparison was made by Raskin, on Sunday, according to The Hill. He argued that Trump’s governance style leans towards advancing his political agenda and eliminating his political opponents, similar to the “illiberal democracy” seen in Putin’s Russia and Viktor Orban’s Hungary.

Raskin, who was part of the committee investigating the Jan 6, 2021 Capitol attack and Trump’s involvement, pointed out the typical rejection of unfavorable election results in such regimes. He warned that a second term for Trump could mean a shift towards an unfamiliar form of government in the U.S., with leaders like Putin, Xi Jinping, and Jair Bolsonaro embodying this potential change.

Trump, facing 91 felony counts from four separate indictments, has suggested he might retaliate against political rivals such as President Biden if reelected.

See Also: Biden Whips Up Support For His Reelection By Telling UAW Members Trump Visited Non-Union Plant: ‘I Hope You Guys Have A Memory’

Why It Matters: Raskin has previously criticized Trump for his attacks on democratic institutions, expressing his commitment to safeguarding the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law, according to a Benzinga report from October 2023.

In November 2023, it was reported that Trump had drafted a plan to use federal resources to punish his critics and opponents if he was reelected, according to a Benzinga article.

Trump has also hinted at using the FBI and Department of Justice against political rivals in the event of his reelection, as detailed in a Benzinga report from November.

Political commentators have warned of the potential damage a Trump re-election could cause, with none of his current Republican rivals appearing to pose a significant threat to his candidacy, as per a Benzinga article from November 2023.

Photo by Evan El-Amin on Shutterstock

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