Can American Democracy Hold? Steven Cash on Institutions, Elections, and Citizen Power
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from November 12, 2025 | The Rise of Authoritarianism in America: A Perspective From Former National Security Officials. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, former CIA attorney, counterterrorism expert, and Steady State co-founder Steven Cash joined moderator Larry Mantle to examine the durability of American democratic institutions amid growing fears of politicized security agencies, weakened diplomacy, volatile foreign policy decisions, and the possibility of compromised elections. Drawing on decades spent studying dictatorial patterns abroad, Cash offered a sober—but not entirely pessimistic—assessment of where the United States stands and what citizens can still do.
Rethinking Accountability and the “Deep State” Narrative
Cash addressed a common argument from Trump supporters: that career civil servants and intelligence professionals represent an unaccountable “deep state” that needs to be shaken up. He rejected that view outright, emphasizing that America’s national security apparatus is already subject to some of the strictest oversight in government.
Inspectors general, internal legal counsels, and bipartisan intelligence committees in both the House and Senate provide continuous scrutiny. The notion that long-tenured national security officials operate without accountability, Cash argued, is a political slogan—not a description of reality.
The Steady State’s own name is a quiet rebuttal: a reminder that professional, apolitical governance is foundational to a functioning republic.
A Strained State Department and a Weakened Global Standing
Cash reserved some of his strongest concerns for America’s diplomatic corps. While critics insist that the State Department is too “internationalist,” he argued that real “America First” strength depends on allies, stable institutions, and consistent diplomacy.
Instead, the U.S. has seen:
- Longstanding allies reduce intelligence sharing due to fear of misuse.
- Diplomatic norms sidelined in favor of unilateral action.
- Global trust eroded through erratic policy and public attacks on partners.
Cash noted that even close intelligence partners like the UK and Colombia have pulled back cooperation, particularly around controversial maritime operations targeting suspected drug traffickers—a move he described as both legally dubious and strategically counterproductive.
Misused Force and Rising Regional Risks
One of the most alarming developments, according to Cash, is the expanding use of military force against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific. He challenged both the legality and morality of these strikes, pointing out that many victims appear to have been poor fishermen with unproven ties to drug networks.
He warned that similar saber-rattling toward Venezuela—purportedly justified by fentanyl trafficking, despite no evidence that Venezuela produces the drug—could destabilize an entire region. The risks of confusion, escalation, or regional backlash, he said, are more serious than the administration acknowledges.
Terrorism Preparedness and the Redirection of National Security Resources
Cash also issued a stark warning on terrorism. The U.S., he believes, is less prepared today for a major attack than at any time since 9/11. Intelligence resources once focused on foreign extremist threats have been diverted toward immigration enforcement and politicized investigations of domestic adversaries branded as “terrorists.”
This shift, Cash argues, not only leaves the U.S. blind to genuine threats but may create new motivations for extremists abroad.
Billionaires, Business Pressure, and the Politicization of Industry
Viewer questions turned to whether billionaires are fueling democratic backsliding. Cash rejected broad conspiracy theories but acknowledged that some high-profile tech figures—whose public personas lean into futurist or hyper-individualist visions—may amplify public anxieties.
The bigger problem, he argued, is pressure: a business environment where criticism of the president can jeopardize contracts, regulatory approvals, or public standing. This “coercive silence” mirrors patterns seen under modern autocrats.
The Midterms, Guardrails, and the Uncertainty of Free and Fair Elections
Looking ahead, Cash argued that a Democratic takeover of the House could provide an essential institutional counterweight. But he expressed real concern that upcoming elections may not be free from intimidation or misinformation.
The rhetorical groundwork is already being laid, he said, for claims of “rigged” outcomes, while deployments of federal agents and National Guard units to major cities raise broader concerns about the use of state power in electoral contexts.
What Citizens Can Still Do
Despite outlining serious threats, Cash ended with a message of empowerment and responsibility.
- Get informed. Understand the stakes and be able to articulate why they matter.
- Vote—repeatedly and reliably. Elections remain the strongest tool for change.
- Speak up. Call representatives, write letters, and engage locally. Cash recalled how Senator Feinstein reviewed constituent messages daily.
- Organize and give. Support candidates, civic groups, and pro-democracy organizations.
Citing past generations who rose to historic challenges, Cash urged listeners to recognize that this is “our moment” to defend democratic norms.
His message was clear: while the threats are real, American institutions—and citizens—still have the capacity to push back.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.