President Donald Trump suggested Monday that many Americans would welcome a dictator while defending his expanding federal crackdown on crime, making the controversial remarks as he signed executive orders expanding his administration’s military deployment powers.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on August 25, Trump responded to criticism of his Washington, D.C., military takeover by stating that “a lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator.'” He immediately added that he does not consider himself a dictator, describing himself as a man with great common sense.
The president’s comments came as he signed new executive orders directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to establish specialized National Guard units trained to handle public safety issues in Washington, D.C., and potentially nationwide. The orders also authorize Attorney General Pam Bondi to unwind metropolitan police orders in D.C. if she believes they impede the administration’s crackdown.
Trump repeated similar sentiments during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, indicating that many people would prefer a dictator if it meant stopping crime. He maintained his denial of being a dictator while suggesting he knows how to stop crime effectively.
The president’s federal takeover of Washington, D.C., entered its third week Monday, with armed National Guard troops now patrolling the streets alongside police, FBI agents, and other federal law enforcement officials. The guards carry standard-issue M17 pistols, with some equipped with M4 assault rifles, and have been authorized to use weapons for self-defense and as a last resort against imminent threats.
Trump has set his sights on expanding the military deployment to other Democratic-led cities, particularly Chicago. He described the city as a killing field and indicated federal troops are ready for deployment there, despite local officials’ objections.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker strongly rejected Trump’s plans, stating his state has received no federal requests for assistance and made no requests for intervention. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson characterized the proposed deployment as the most flagrant constitutional violation of the 21st century, emphasizing that Chicago does not need military occupation.
The president’s authoritarian rhetoric appears to resonate with a significant portion of his base, according to polling data. A University of Massachusetts Amherst survey found that 74 percent of Republicans endorsed Trump’s previous comment about wanting to be a dictator for one day, despite his claim that it was a joke.
Additional polling reveals concerning trends among Republican voters regarding presidential power. A Pew Research Center poll from early 2025 showed 59 percent of Republicans agreed that the country’s problems could be better solved if Trump didn’t have to worry about Congress and the courts. Among Republicans who identify strongly with the party, that number reached 78 percent.
More extreme findings show significant Republican support for unchecked presidential power. A CBS News-YouGov poll found 44 percent of Republicans believed courts shouldn’t review Trump’s policies, while 36 percent indicated in a Monmouth University poll they wouldn’t be bothered if Trump suspended laws and constitutional provisions to target political enemies.
The administration’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from military and civil liberties experts. Major General Randy Manner, former acting vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, compared the deployment to events in Germany during the 1930s. The American Civil Liberties Union has characterized the actions as dangerous and performative abuse of power.
Trump’s crackdown has prompted legal challenges, with Washington, D.C., officials filing lawsuits to reverse the federal takeover. The president has claimed success, celebrating 11 days without a homicide in Washington, though police statistics show the city already had several weeks without homicides earlier in 2025.
The president indicated he would prefer Democratic leaders to request federal assistance rather than impose it unilaterally, but emphasized his willingness to deploy troops regardless of local opposition. When asked directly if he would send troops without gubernatorial requests, Trump confirmed he would proceed with such deployments.
Beyond military deployments, Trump signed additional executive orders Monday targeting cashless bail systems and flag burning, both measures facing constitutional challenges. The cashless bail order threatens to revoke federal funding from jurisdictions maintaining such policies, directly targeting states like Illinois.
The president’s comments about Americans wanting a dictator represent his most explicit acknowledgment of authoritarian sentiment among his supporters, coming as his administration demonstrates unprecedented disregard for traditional checks on presidential power through military deployments and threats against political opponents.
