The Trump administration has effectively shown to the country that we are subservient to other nations interests. The public lobbying alone by the Israeli government is immense, including the pressure from figures like Mohammad bin Solaman in Saudi Arabia and Mohammad bin Zayed in the UAE to continue his bombing campaign against the IRGC. The administration has received pushback from the Republicans, notably Thomas Massie. This criticism has not come without punishment as Trump has directly threatened to primary Massie in the upcoming election, recently visiting his challenger Ed Gallrein in the 4^th district of Kentucky (Reuters 2026). The launching of the current war in Iran happened without congressional approval and is continuing to proceed without it’s permission. In fact, Republicans in the senate managed to rally themselves together to shoot down a war powers act that had recently been ascended to them. Early on in the bills lifespan it received bi-partisan traction but that quickly came to a halt after a large string of closed door meetings and lobbying. This is a failure to curb executive power expansion regarding it’s ability to conduct war. The bombing campaign is proving to be highly effective but not without loss. There have been over 300 reported injuries due to Iranian missile/drone attacks, dozens have been confirmed as serious injuries such as loss of limb including 13 deaths. (Reuters 2026) Iran has lashed out at every single GCC country and is inflicting heavy damage and dealing a psychological toll to the citizens of each respective state. Tensions have been rising. Thousands of marines are being deployed to the region. Ground invasions targeting strategic control points of the Strait of Hormuz are being floated in policy making circles. The targeting of oil infrastructure is beginning to take shape. If Iran retaliates in a similar manner we can expect to see oil increase to over 200 dollars a barrel. This conflict is far from stable. Prices are spiking and the markets are reacting accordingly. This will send shockwaves through the American consumer market. This kind of fluctuating environment is ripe for democratic erosion, as specific actions that are unpopular to the public can be obfuscated by foreign turmoil. During wartime, the executive branch generally works quicker than the legislative deliberation. This can begin to shift the power dynamic towards the executive branch. Lawmakers on both sides of the isle continue to outwardly oppose this expansion in spite of the war powers act being shot down. The current war is causing paranoia among the masses (Brazile 2026) Fears of retaliation through cyberattacks, terrorism, foreign propaganda campaigns, and economic instability. In the past this typically leads to harsher censorism and an expanded surveillance state through national security policy. Perceived political maneuverability can be achieved when receiving credible threats. The conflict in the Middle East has a positive correlation to polarization. Splits on policy regard it’s justification and necessity. Some don’t believe we have legal ground to engage, and others don’t even believe Iran is a true threat to our interests, only Israel’s. Internal coverage of the war is hampered with constant flows of propaganda. These narratives conflict, particularly about the reported negotiations. Tehran continually denies that negotiations are even happening while Donald Trump has taken to X to champion his successes in diplomacy. Credibility and trust of the current administration is being diminished at an exponential rate. The obfuscation between the truth and propaganda means citizens cannot evaluate information as either A) Incomplete or B) manipulated by outside data. Many analysts have already stated that the war has far exceeded the tolerance of Americans. Prolonged, seemingly unjustified spilling of blood tends to erode public trust over time. The whole system gets rightfully questioned. Over the last decade, America has seen a 12 point reduction in our democracy score. (Freedom House 2026) We have spent dozens of billions of dollars, disrupted global energy supply, and continue to ratchet up the intensity with no path to resolution. The warning signs for our current democratic backslide include executive expansion, polarization, cloudy media environments, and public discontent met with force or censorship. The legislative and judicial branches must step in with institutions and put and end to this unstoppable momentum the war complex enjoys. The midterms are approaching and the Republicans are digging themselves a pit to stand in. The most significant effects are not yet seen, and the most violent action is yet to be taken.

Ali, Idrees. “Twelve US Troops Wounded in Iran Strike on Base in Saudi Arabia, US Official Says | Reuters.” The Hill, 2026, www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/twelve-us-troops-wounded-iran-strike-base-saudi-arabia-us-official-says-2026-03-27/.

Brazilele, Donna. “Under Trump, US Democracy Is Eroding beyond Recognition.” Freedom House, 2026, thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5796765-trump-erosion-democracy-report/.

“Iran War Fuels Tensions in US Democratic Primary Races | Reuters.” USNews, Reuters, www.reuters.com/world/us/iran-war-fuels-tensions-us-democratic-primary-races-2026-03-18/.

“New Report: Global Freedom Declined for 20th Consecutive Year in 2025.” Freedom House, 2026, freedomhouse.org/article/new-report-global-freedom-declined-20th-consecutive-year-2025.