Full Story Is Trump preparing for civil war?
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Oct 24, 2025 
Barbara Walter, a political scientist and author of 'How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them,' delves into the troubling risks of civil war in the U.S. She outlines how race and religion shape political alignments and discusses the weakening of government institutions under the Trump administration. Walter analyzes recent protests against Trump, the significance of an AI-generated video of him, and the implications of the Insurrection Act. She argues that while Trump may not want civil war, he could exploit crises for power, highlighting a crucial moment for American democracy.
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U.S. Moved Into A High-Risk Zone
- The U.S. now sits in a dangerous middle zone between strong democracy and autocracy where political violence is likelier.
- Two main risk factors are weakened democratic institutions and parties organized by race or religion.
Voting Shifted Toward Identity
- Race and religion now strongly predict how Americans vote, signaling identity-based party alignment.
- White evangelical support for Trump has deepened the racial and religious sorting of parties.
Erosion Of Checks And Free Press
- Walter tracks democratic decline by elections fairness, executive constraints, and media freedom.
- She argues the administration is removing watchdogs and attacking media to silence critics.
