Amy MackinnonAug 10, 2026 – 9.37amWashington | US President Donald Trump is following an autocrat’s playbook in his second term, weakening checks on his power and leaving the United States less safe, former senior intelligence officials have warned, as they step up public criticism of the president’s authoritarian style of governing.Trump returned to office pledging war against the so-called deep state that he blamed for constraining his power during his first term. Since then, he has sought to silence critics and demanded loyalty from those around him.Financial TimesSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles