There is a phrase that has been repeated ad nauseam across mainstream media and by Democratic leaders: “threat to our democracy.” It has been aimed at conservatives, President Trump, Elon Musk, critics of the administrative state, and anyone who challenges the ruling class’s preferred narratives.
But what does it actually mean?
The accusation is rarely, if ever, followed by a precise definition of how conservative policies, free speech, or a smaller federal government constitute a legitimate threat to the American system of governance. Instead, the phrase functions as a political bludgeon—an appeal to fear, wielded to justify censorship, demonize opposition, and expand the power of an unelected, unaccountable bureaucracy.
In truth, when they say “democracy,” they really mean “bureaucracy.”
To understand what they are truly saying, let’s replace the word “democracy” with “bureaucracy” in their statements and see how the meaning becomes crystal clear.
Biden: "Trump is a Threat to Our Democracy"
President Biden has repeatedly warned that Donald Trump is a “threat to our democracy.” He framed his entire 2024 campaign around this claim. But what happens when we replace the word democracy with the actual power structure at stake?
“Donald Trump is a threat to our bureaucracy.”
Suddenly, the real concern is revealed. President Trump is not a threat to free and fair elections—he is a threat to the entrenched administrative state that has insulated itself from electoral accountability. The same bureaucracy that drove the Russia collusion hoax, coordinated censorship efforts with social media companies, and classified parents at school board meetings as potential domestic terrorists.
Kamala Harris: "Donald Trump is a Threat to Our Democracy and Fundamental Freedoms"
Vice President Harris posted on social media:
“Donald Trump is a threat to our bureaucracy and fundamental freedoms.”
This statement becomes revealing. The real fear is not that Trump will strip people of fundamental freedoms, but that he will upend the system that protects unelected power. After all, the biggest violators of fundamental freedoms in recent years have not been conservatives, but the very bureaucrats Harris seeks to shield—those who enforced speech codes, vaccine mandates, and weaponized intelligence agencies against political opponents.
The Democratic National Committee: "Donald Trump is an Existential Threat to Our Democracy"
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) recently declared:
“Donald Trump is an existential threat to our bureaucracy.”
This one is especially telling. If Trump were truly an existential threat to “democracy,” then elections would cease to exist under his leadership. That, of course, is absurd—Trump has been elected before, and democracy continued. What he threatens is their entrenched power structure, the unelected officials who wield influence regardless of election results.
Barack Obama: "Disinformation is a Threat to Our Democracy"
Former President Barack Obama warned that “disinformation is a threat to our democracy.” What happens when we apply the correction?
“Disinformation is a threat to our bureaucracy.”
Now, the statement actually makes sense. “Disinformation” has become a catch-all term for ideas the ruling class does not like—whether it be skepticism of government COVID policies, criticism of gender ideology, or discussions about election integrity. The push to combat “disinformation” has led to the government colluding with social media platforms to silence dissent.
In other words, disinformation—or more accurately, ideas globalists and the deep state do not like—is not a threat to the people’s individual freedom and liberty. It is a threat to the bureaucracy’s ability to control public discourse.
The United States is Not a Democracy
A key assumption behind this rhetorical sleight of hand is the idea that the United States is a democracy—and that any deviation from liberal orthodoxy is therefore “anti-democratic.” But this is fundamentally misleading.
America is not a democracy in the way that term is commonly used. It is a Constitutional Republic, facilitated by democratic elections. In a true democracy, the power rests with the government, and citizens do not have inalienable rights—only privileges that can be granted or taken away.
In contrast, a Constitutional Republic ensures that power ultimately rests with the people. The government operates only by the consent of the governed, with inalienable rights protected against majority rule. This structure exists precisely to prevent the kind of bureaucratic overreach that today’s ruling class wishes to expand.
Why They Use This Phrase
So why do Democratic leaders and media outlets relentlessly push the “threat to our democracy” narrative?
- To silence opposition – By branding conservatives, free speech advocates, and government skeptics as a threat, they justify censorship and repression.
- To protect the administrative state – Trump’s America First policies, the rollback of DEI mandates, the push to expose deep-state corruption—all these pose a serious risk to unelected power.
- To maintain electoral leverage – Fear is a powerful political tool. If voters believe their basic freedoms are at risk, they are less likely to consider alternative viewpoints.
The next time you hear a politician, journalist, or pundit claim that something is a “threat to our democracy,” pause and apply the replacement test:
Would the statement make more sense if “democracy” were replaced with “bureaucracy”?
If the answer is yes, then you are not being warned about a real threat to democratic governance. You are being manipulated into protecting an entrenched power structure—one that has far more to fear from the will of the people than from the politicians it demonizes.
Because at the end of the day, President Trump, conservatives, free speech, and anti-globalist policies are not a threat to democracy or even a threat to our Republic.
They are only a threat to the bureaucracy of the globalist cabal and the deep state.
Christopher Gergen is a highly skilled and experienced political strategist who has dedicated his career to conservative political organizations and candidates. He stands out from other political consultants by embracing unconventional political thinking. His unique ability to bring order to chaos through innovative tools and methods has proven to be a valuable asset to his clients.
Christopher’s journey in politics began as a grassroots volunteer for Senator Bob Dole’s Presidential campaign in 1995. Since then, he has been involved in numerous political campaigns ranging from local races to presidential elections. After serving in the United States Navy in response to the 9/11 attacks, Gergen went on to build a successful financial planning practice with a Fortune 500 company. However, he saw an opportunity in the political arena and left his growing practice to establish Dark Horse Political in 2015. The following year, he was hired as the State Political Director for the Trump for President organization in Oregon. Since then, DHP has continued to provide advisory services to various campaigns at all levels of government. Follow him on X: @winwithdhp
