Political leader and bestselling author Stacey Abrams is warning that the United States is edging closer to authoritarian rule.
She argues that Americans never consented to the Trump administration’s decision to launch military action against Iran without congressional approval.
Speaking on the show hosted by political analyst Zerlina Maxwell on March 5, Abrams sharply criticized the expansion of presidential authority under President Donald Trump, particularly regarding the conflict with Iran.
“No one should be permitted to declare war in our name without our consent,” Abrams said. “And America did not consent. We have a process for it. It’s called Congress.”
Her comments come amid growing debate in Washington over whether the president has the authority to initiate military action without approval from lawmakers.
Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress — not the president — holds the power to declare war.
The Expansion of Executive Authority
During the interview, Abrams said recent developments illustrate what she described as a dangerous consolidation of power within the executive branch.
She pointed to several developments she believes signal democratic backsliding, including unilateral military action abroad, increased immigration enforcement within U.S. cities, and weakening congressional oversight.
Abrams argued that these developments align with patterns commonly seen in governments moving toward autocracy.
“We’ve gone through all ten of the steps to authoritarianism and autocracy,” she said, referencing a framework outlined by a political advocacy campaign focused on democratic norms.
Among the steps she highlighted were:
- The expansion of executive authority
- The weakening of congressional power
- Attacks on vulnerable communities
“These are not isolated events,” Abrams said. “They are connected.”
War Powers Debate Intensifies in Washington
Abrams’ warning comes as lawmakers grapple with the growing conflict between the United States and Iran.
Some members of Congress have attempted to pass resolutions invoking the War Powers Act to limit the president’s ability to continue military operations without legislative approval.
However, those efforts have struggled to gain enough support, highlighting divisions in Congress over how to respond to the rapidly escalating conflict.
The debate centers on whether Congress has allowed presidents from both parties to gradually expand the scope of executive war-making powers over the past two decades.
Warning About Democratic Institutions
Abrams said the larger issue extends beyond a single military decision.
According to her, the combination of unilateral military action, weakened legislative oversight, and increasing attacks on minority communities reflects a broader pattern that Americans should take seriously.
“If we don’t connect the dots,” she said, “the picture of authoritarianism will be complete before people even realize what has happened.”
Abrams, a former Georgia gubernatorial candidate and host of the political podcast Assembly Required, has frequently spoken about voting rights, democratic institutions and the importance of congressional oversight in American governance.
Her comments are likely to intensify an already heated national debate over presidential power, congressional authority, and the future of democratic norms in the United States.
