In the United States, we have states and territories such as Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and Guam. Canada, on the other hand, consists of provinces. But in the Russian Federation, the equivalent administrative divisions are called oblasts, and there are currently 46 of them. With the trajectory the U.S. is on under the Trump administration, it appears we may be on the path to becoming the 47th.
A Nation in Submission to Putin
Since Donald Trump reclaimed the presidency, the U.S. has increasingly bent to the demands of Vladimir Putin. This shift is glaringly evident in the Trump administration’s actions, which include barring reputable news outlets such as the Associated Press and Reuters from the Pentagon, Air Force One, and now the White House Press Pool. This assault on the free press mirrors tactics employed by authoritarian regimes worldwide, where controlling the narrative is the first step toward dismantling democracy.
Additionally, Trump has removed inspectors general and military JAG officers, whose primary responsibility includes preventing the U.S. military from unlawfully targeting its own citizens. Without oversight, corruption and abuse of power are now running unchecked. His administration has further demonstrated fealty to Putin by dictating that Ukraine surrender rather than stand firm in defense of freedom and democracy.
In a shocking display of compliance, Trump has halted all military shipments and cut off intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, effectively leaving them “fighting blind” against Russian forces. The so-called “Art of the Deal” co-author has not negotiated; he has capitulated, handing Putin every strategic advantage without contest.
The Dismantling of American Power
Before and after World War II, the United States transformed from an isolationist nation into a global leader and peacekeeper, establishing military bases across the world to deter aggression and maintain stability. Prior to WWII, the U.S. had fewer than 50 overseas military bases, but by the war’s end in 1945, that number had exploded to over 2,000, ensuring that fascism and imperialism would not rise again.
These bases became critical deterrents during the Cold War, keeping Soviet expansion in check while securing U.S. influence in Europe, Asia, and beyond. Today, the U.S. maintains approximately 750 military bases in over 80 countries, reinforcing global democracy, supporting allies, and preventing authoritarian regimes from expanding their reach.
Had we followed the isolationist policies of Charles Lindbergh and the original “America First” movement, the world might look vastly different today—one where Americans on the East Coast speak German and those on the West Coast speak Japanese. Now, with Trump’s authoritarian, anti-democratic, and pro-Kremlin stance, the future may hold another linguistic shift—toward Russian.
Trump’s policies have actively dismantled America’s global leadership. He has weakened alliances, undermined NATO, and deferred to dictators, all while pulling back military support from key democratic allies like Ukraine. By crippling these longstanding deterrents, he has left the world more vulnerable to authoritarian aggression and set a dangerous precedent that threatens U.S. national security itself.
For decades, American leadership guaranteed the security of democratic nations and strengthened economic partnerships through trade agreements. However, under Trump’s administration, this role has been abandoned. He has weakened alliances, undermined NATO, and cozied up to despots, setting a dangerous precedent that threatens national security.
Trump’s reckless trade policies have further alienated America’s closest democratic allies. His tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and the European Union—supposedly implemented to protect American industries—have instead strained diplomatic ties and triggered retaliatory measures that harm American businesses and consumers. While he targets longtime allies with economic penalties, Trump has simultaneously worked to realign the U.S. with Russia, lifting sanctions and pursuing unexplained policy concessions that benefit Putin’s regime.
With each move, Trump is dismantling America’s global influence. The question remains: Why is the United States, once the leader of the free world, now bending to the interests of a hostile foreign power?
Musk’s Shadow Presidency and the Gutting of Government
Elon Musk, who should have faced deportation for immigration violations, now wields more power than some elected officials. His team of 20-something-year-old “DogeBags” is systematically dismantling the federal government under the pretense of eliminating “waste, fraud, and abuse.” Tens of thousands of career federal employees—including military veterans and Social Security Administration personnel—are being abruptly terminated.
The real motive? Funding a $4.5 trillion tax cut for billionaires and oligarchs. While essential services such as the VA, Department of Education, and Social Security Administration are being gutted, Musk continues to personally profit from federal contracts, including those awarded to his companies SpaceX and Tesla.
Ironically, Musk benefits from skyrocketing federal grants while eliminating oversight agencies that were investigating him for waste, fraud, and abuse. His recent space launch failures, which resulted in multi-million dollar explosions, are just another example of government funds being squandered for personal gain. Meanwhile, essential government functions, including those responsible for national security, are being crippled.
The layoffs and closures under Musk’s influence are staggering:
- The Department of Education is being slashed to near extinction, with funding redirected away from public schools and into privatized charter institutions that serve corporate interests.
- The Social Security Administration is shedding employees at record rates, creating massive backlogs for retirees and disabled Americans who depend on their benefits.
- With over 80,000 potential job losses at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veteran Affairs hospitals and services are being severely reduced, leaving those who served our country abandoned.
- The IRS, already struggling to regulate tax fraud, is being further downsized, ensuring billionaires and corporations evade taxes while the middle class bears the financial burden.
- NASA announced the closure of three departments, resulting in the termination of 23 employees.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to lay off over 1,000 employees in its second round of cuts.
Meanwhile, Musk’s space ventures continue to receive government contracts despite repeated failures, raising serious concerns about corporate favoritism and unchecked corruption.
AMERICA HAS FALLEN: The Death of American Democracy
The foundation of the United States government rests on three co-equal branches: the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial. Under Trump, that balance has crumbled.
Legislative Branch: A Congress in Fear
The Republican-controlled House and Senate have abandoned their constitutional responsibilities. Their silence and inaction stem from fear—fear of being targeted by Trump and Musk’s anti-social media machines, where cowardly attacks flourish, and extremist rhetoric drowns out rational discourse. Instead of fulfilling their patriotic duty and defending democracy, they cower in submission to an authoritarian figure.
Judicial Branch: Bought and Paid For
The Supreme Court and other federal judges have been packed with Trump loyalists. Figures like Judge Aileen Cannon, a United States federal judge in the District Court for the Southern District of Florida, who lacks the qualifications for her position, manipulate the law in Trump’s favor, dismissing cases that should hold him accountable. The Department of Justice, FBI, and CIA—once pillars of independence—have been co-opted, reduced to acting as Trump’s personal legal defense team rather than serving the American people.
Classified national security documents were stored in Mar-a-Lago’s public bathroom, potentially accessible to foreign agents, including Chinese operatives visiting the property. This blatant disregard for national security was dismissed by Trump’s appointed judges, further proving the judiciary is no longer independent.
Executive Branch: A Cabinet of Treason
Trump’s cabinet and inner circle—figures such as J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz, Pam Bondi, Russ Vought, Kash Patel, Ed Martin, Stephen Miller and the rest—all parrot his anti-democratic, authoritarian rhetoric. Instead of championing the principles of freedom and justice, they embolden Trump’s anti-American agenda, prioritizing personal loyalty over national security.
America’s Surrender to Authoritarianism
Trump’s so-called “negotiation strategy” consists of nothing but concessions to Putin. He has alienated democratic allies while embracing authoritarian governments. The consequences are devastating: a weakened global standing, a disillusioned citizenry, and a government that no longer functions as a democracy.
At the same time, right-wing media outlets like Fox News continue to profit from spreading hate and fear, capitalizing on misinformation while factual journalism is silenced. American citizens must recognize the danger and reject propaganda before it’s too late.
The Call to Action
We are at a turning point. The dismantling of democracy is not a hypothetical future—it is happening now. If we continue down this path, the United States will cease to exist as a free nation and instead become a puppet state of authoritarian regimes like Russia.
It’s time for the American people to wake up. Demand accountability. Challenge disinformation. Defend the democratic principles that once defined America. Our freedom is on the line.
If we do nothing, we may soon find ourselves under the governance of a 47th oblast—not as Americans, but as subjects of a foreign power.
