Historical Presidency and Threats to Democracy

Several U.S. presidents have engaged in actions or policies that posed significant threats to democracy, as highlighted in recent discussions. For instance, John Adams aggressively targeted the press by prosecuting critics, while James Buchanan conspired with the Supreme Court to deny the constitutional rights of African Americans. Andrew Johnson's encouragement of political violence, and Woodrow Wilson’s institutionalization of segregation in federal offices, further exemplify this trend. Richard Nixon's infamous Watergate scandal and other criminal endeavors reflect a continued pattern of presidential misconduct that raises concerns about the integrity of democratic governance.