Trump's Autocratic Power Grab: How Anticipatory Compliance Enables His Reign and the Rise of Anticipatory Noncompliance

2025-06-08 18:00:59.071

During his first 100 days, President Trump's actions have prompted anticipatory compliance from various institutions, including universities, law firms, and corporations. Fear of repercussions, like funding cuts or legal action, has led these entities to preemptively comply with Trump's demands, even without direct orders. This behavior, however, smooths the path to autocracy. Examples include universities censoring course materials, schools altering curriculum, and companies scaling back DEI programs. The media also shows signs of anticipatory compliance, with some outlets self-censoring to avoid Trump's ire. However, a counter-strategy, anticipatory noncompliance, is emerging. Several universities are pushing back against Trump's demands, and some states are challenging his policies in court. Companies that have resisted Trump's pressure, such as Costco and Apple, have seen positive results, while those that complied, like Target, faced negative consequences. The author argues that while restoring democracy will be a long-term struggle, the rising tide of anticipatory noncompliance offers hope.