International Media: Almost No Resistance Against Trump’s Coup

Correspondent Warns of a “Coup” in the U.S. Under Trump

On February 6, 2025, Austrian public broadcaster ORF aired a startling analysis from correspondent Thomas Langpaul, who claimed that a coup is taking place in the United States under President Donald Trump. According to Langpaul, Trump is systematically reshaping the U.S. government by removing officials who uphold the Constitution and replacing them with loyalists who strictly follow his policies. Even more alarming, he notes, is that this is happening with little resistance.

A Slow-Motion Coup?

The term “coup” is typically associated with military takeovers or violent uprisings. However, what Langpaul suggests is a gradual and systemic power grab, where institutions are weakened from within rather than overthrown in a dramatic event. This aligns with growing concerns from legal scholars, political analysts, and democracy watchdogs who argue that Trump’s administration is actively eroding checks and balances in ways that could permanently alter American governance.

Reports indicate that Trump has purged career civil servants, reshaped the federal judiciary, and restructured key government agencies to be staffed with individuals who prioritize loyalty over law. If this trend continues, the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law, and the democratic process itself could be at risk.

Why Is There So Little Resistance?

Langpaul’s most striking observation is that there has been little pushback. Given the magnitude of Trump’s changes, one would expect significant opposition from lawmakers, institutions, and civil society. Instead, Langpaul suggests that the normalization of these actions has made resistance muted or ineffective.

Key questions now arise:

• Are U.S. institutions still capable of pushing back against authoritarian overreach?
• Why is the political opposition failing to mobilize stronger resistance?
• Is the media adequately covering these developments, or is the narrative being controlled?

If these questions remain unanswered, American democracy may be facing its greatest challenge yet.

Global Implications: A Warning for Europe and Beyond

Trump’s governance style has already influenced right-wing populist leaders across Europe, many of whom have pursued similar tactics—weakening democratic checks, silencing dissent, and consolidating power. If the U.S., long considered a global defender of democracy, succumbs to these forces, the consequences could ripple across the world.

For European nations, the lesson is clear: democracy is not self-sustaining. It must be actively defended against political actors who seek to undermine institutions from within. Countries like Hungary and Poland have already seen how democratic backsliding can become entrenched if left unchecked.