Based on polls, election results, and markets, Americans are slowly waking up to the magnitude and nature of the threat they face. President Donald Trump and his allies in power are trying to establish an authoritarian mafia state similar to the one Vladimir Putin created in Russia. The American opposition talks about “undermining democracy” and a “constitutional crisis,” but most lawmakers, activists, and political strategists are acting as if nothing is happening. They shouldn’t, writes Gary Kasparov for The Atlantic.
If this sounds alarmist, I’m sorry, but I don’t care. Exactly 20 years ago, I retired from professional chess to help Russia resist Putin’s growing dictatorship. And people there were slow to grasp what was happening: “Putin is bad, but he certainly won’t go that far…” — a void that was soon filled by dozens of his actions that destroyed Russia’s fragile democracy, and which Trump is now copying in the US.
Attacks on the media as "fake news" and "enemies of the people"? 
Discrediting the judiciary, the last constitutional brakes?
Impact on the economy through threats and the introduction of tariffs?
A culture of fear and persecution of minority groups? Been there, done that.
Putin is still in the Kremlin, and I am writing from New York — where my family has lived since we were forced to leave Russia in 2013. America’s institutions and democratic culture are much stronger than in the Russia that Putin inherited from Yeltsin. But if the tools to defend democracy are not used, all of that could quickly disappear.
America has the tools — it just needs to use them.
American federalism, a free press, and the separation of powers still exist. But we need to act now. The courts, the media, the federal government, and lawmakers—all must be pressured to act while they still can. The opposition must not only react to the substance of executive actions (e.g., complaining about someone being deported), but must focus on the methods: ignoring the process, usurping Congressional authority, unilaterally imposing tariffs.
The Trump administration wants to weaken state mechanisms and privatize power. The speed with which they are doing it is incredible. If someone supports an autocrat because they like one policy — they will soon realize that their opinion no longer matters.
Resistance must be constant and determined.
There is no picking battles. In the fight for democracy, one never knows if there will be a “tomorrow.” One must fight everywhere. Attacks on Trump’s personality will not help either – he is no longer acting alone. He has a plan, he has people, he has a script. Project 2025 is an attempt to fundamentally destroy American democracy.
Legal actions against DOGE (the so-called Ministry of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk) are necessary but insufficient. Musk has influence, but not power. Those in elected office who enable him to do so should be fought. Actions such as fundraising for those who oppose Trump or against those who do not oppose him can have an effect.
“Ponyatie” – a Russian concept that threatens the USA
In Russian culture, there is a concept of “ponyatie” – the understanding that proximity to power is power in itself. This is exactly what we see in the US with Musk and his influence, despite not having a formal function. This perception of power must be stopped before it infects the entire political system.
Fighting culture wars and focusing on rights
Forget the wars over trans athletes or DEI policies – the focus must be on defending rights, the law, and the Constitution. Most Americans believe the president must respect the courts and support Ukraine. That is the basis for resistance.
Trump and Musk are reminding Americans of what they have to lose. The GOP has veered so far to the right that it is ideologically aligned with Russia and Turkey. Trump doesn't want to emulate Putin because he respects him, but because he wants to copy him.
Conclusion: Act now
Four votes in the Senate. Three in the House. That's how close it is to making a difference. Find the weakest points, support them if they resist or tear them down if they don't. Don't give up the democratic instruments of government while you still have them. Because once they're gone, all that's left is the street—and I know from my own painful experience that even that is no guarantee of change.
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