Yale Professors Fleeing US: Is American Democracy on the Brink of Collapse?

2025-06-16 12:00:46.363

Prof. Marci Shore, along with her husband Timothy Snyder and Jason Stanley, announced their move from Yale University to the University of Toronto, citing fears of a potential slide towards fascism in the US under Trump's presidency. Shore draws parallels between the current political climate and the rise of fascism in 1930s Germany, highlighting events such as military parades, the deployment of the National Guard to quell protests, and Trump's rhetoric as alarming indicators. She describes Trump's approach as "obnazhenie"—laying bare the ugliness of politics—and notes the lack of accountability for his actions, including inciting the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Shore's concerns stem from years of observing what she perceives as a disregard for truth and democratic norms in American politics, starting with the 2000 presidential election. She cites Sarah Palin's candidacy in 2008 and Trump's election in 2016 as pivotal moments that solidified her fears. While initially hesitant to leave, the 2024 election and subsequent events, including the treatment of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, convinced her of the urgency to leave. Shore admits her reaction is partly driven by personal anxieties and her Jewish background, shaped by stories of the Holocaust. She fears a potential civil war due to widespread gun violence and a growing permissiveness towards violence. She acknowledges feeling guilty about leaving the US but emphasizes that her decision was primarily motivated by her concern for her children's safety. While expressing a possibility of returning to the US someday, she currently feels obligated to speak out against the current political climate from her safe position in Canada.