‘Trying to Rule Forever’: Sen. Murphy Denounces Trump for Replacing Democratic Norms with Loyalty Tests

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) warned that the danger Trump presents to democracy isn’t looming. It’s unfolding in real time. 

In a recent video interview with Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias, Murphy sounded the alarm over what he called a “well-planned, coordinated attempt” by Trump to dismantle democratic institutions, weaponize government agencies and silence dissent.

He emphasized that Trump isn’t just attacking democratic norms but replacing them with loyalty tests across the legal system, universities and media platforms. The goal, he expressed, is to consolidate enough control over money, messaging and law enforcement to suppress dissent and secure one-party rule.

“He’s grabbing control of the spending power because he knows that if everybody’s dependent on him then many of them will just sign up to be loyal to him,” Murphy said.

Now 100 days in, Murphy described the political landscape as dire, not just because of Trump’s actions, but because of widespread Republican complicity. According to Murphy, the danger isn’t limited to a few extremists.

“The majority of Republicans in Congress are signed up to put Trump in power forever,” he said. “They’re living their truth, not hiding it.”

A leading voice on gun violence prevention, Murphy is currently traveling to deep-red communities across the country. In places like Chesterfield, Missouri, and Saxapahaw, North Carolina, he’s hearing from disillusioned Trump voters who are waking up to the consequences of authoritarian rule.

“He is pretty focused on trying to become a dictator. And there are a lot of deeply conservative people in North Carolina and Missouri who aren’t in for that,” Murphy told Elias. “They didn’t believe him when he said he was going to be a dictator.”

Murphy’s message to those voters is simple. You don’t have to agree with Democrats on everything, you just have to agree that democracy must survive.

In Congress, Murphy has also been sharply critical of attempts to nationalize voting restrictions, like the so-called SAVE Act, which would hand control of elections to the Trump administration. While that bill is unlikely to pass the Senate, Murphy warned that Trump could still try to implement parts of it through executive action.

Beyond legislation, Murphy urged Americans to resist by showing up and speaking out.

“It’s not rocket science,” he said. “Just wake up every day and decide to do one single thing to fight back.”

With Trump’s approval ratings dropping to 40% – a historic low – Murphy said the public pressure campaign is working. He believes turnout and civic resistance, especially in red areas, will be the key to stopping authoritarian drift before 2026.