What is Tyranny?

Tyranny is the absence of the rule of law, where the most powerful claim to be the law, to define the law, and to enforce the law without democratic restraints. There are many terms for tyranny: autocratic rule, dictatorship, fascist rule. Our Founding Fathers knew it when they saw it, and sought to craft a government that would protect the republic.

Here’s what Alexander Hamilton had to say about tyranny:

“History will teach us…those men who have overturned the liberties of republics the greatest number have begun their career, by paying an obsequious court to the people, commencing Demagogues and ending Tyrants.” – Federalist Papers No. 1

Here’s what Founding Father James Madison said about tyranny:

“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” – Federalist Papers No. 47.

Engraving of patriots pulling down statute of King George III in 1776.
Engraving of King George III statute being pulled down by patriots in 1776. Thomas Jefferson described him as “A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a people who mean to be free.”

Regardless of what you call it, the current President and administration have claimed the right to unlimited power, both directly and indirectly:

March 2026 – President: “I can do whatever I want” with Cuba. Link

January 2026 – President: “I don’t need international law” … the only constraint in foreign policy is “my own morality, my own mind” Link

July 2019 — President: Article II of the Constitution gives me the right to do “whatever I want as President.” Link

October 2025 – Presidential aide: The President of the U.S. has “plenary power” (unlimited power) to send the National Guard to U.S. cities. Link