Human Rights Watch has delivered a harsh assessment of U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of undermining the core pillars of American democracy. The annual report released on Wednesday paints a troubling picture, citing his immigration crackdown, threats to voting rights, and other policies that HRW says have weakened the United States’ democratic system.
Democracy in Decline
Philippe Bolopion, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, warned that global democracy has fallen to levels last seen in 1985. He said the U.S., along with Russia and China, is now less free than two decades ago, with 72% of the world’s population living under autocracy. “It’s actually incredible to see how the Trump administration has really undermined all the pillars of U.S. democracy, all the checks and balances on power,” Bolopion told reporters.
HRW criticizes Trump’s rhetoric and policies, noting they often leaned on racist tropes and aligned with white nationalist ideology. The report highlights the administration’s actions against immigrants and asylum seekers, including the killing of two people in Minneapolis and deportations to El Salvador’s harsh mega-prisons. Masked immigration officers in military-style gear have sparked widespread protests across the country.
Controversial Actions Abroad
The report also points to Trump’s foreign policy as a human rights concern. HRW criticized his strikes on suspected drug boats and decisions regarding Venezuela, warning that turning over control to Maduro’s deputy could trigger a new human rights disaster. Bolopion noted that Trump’s peace efforts, including his claim to deserve a Nobel Peace Prize, fail to address ongoing violations in places like Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza.
A Warning to the World
Bolopion warned that 2026 will see the fight for human rights play out sharply in the U.S., with global consequences. He expressed concern that many Western allies remain silent to avoid diplomatic or economic fallout. “What we urgently need now is a strong global alliance of countries promoting human rights and the rules-based world order,” he said.
HRW’s report makes it clear that the erosion of democratic norms in the U.S. is not just a domestic issue. It signals a challenge to international human rights standards and sets a precedent that other nations might follow if left unchecked.
The Domestic Political Context
Trump’s hardline immigration policies have been politically potent, helping him secure a second term in 2024. A White House spokesperson defended the policies as necessary to protect American communities from “dangerous criminal aliens.” However, HRW sees these measures as part of a broader pattern that threatens civil liberties, undermines the rule of law, and risks the long-term health of U.S. democracy.
In essence, Human Rights Watch frames 2026 as a critical year for democracy in America. The question now is whether institutions, the public, and international allies will act to counter what they call a rapid decline in rights, freedoms, and accountability under the Trump administration.
