Donald Trump's ambition to rival Franklin Roosevelt's first 100 days has fallen short, with his attempts to reshape American democracy into a personalist autocracy largely unfulfilled. Despite issuing over 100 executive orders aimed at reversing the New Deal and asserting his authority, Trump's actions lack the legislative support and coherence that characterized Roosevelt's transformative agenda. Roosevelt's success lay in his use of democratic processes to achieve lasting legislative reforms, contrasting sharply with Trump's reliance on executive orders, which are easily reversible and legally contentious. Trump's approach has resulted in significant resistance from civil society, legal challenges, and a decline in public support, undermining his autocratic aspirations. Ultimately, Trump's inability to navigate the political system as effectively as Roosevelt suggests that while the threat of authoritarianism remains, the structural resilience of American democracy can still prevail.

Trump's second term begins with a series of over 100 executive orders intending to dismantle the 20th-century governmental framework and establish his authority, yet these efforts lack the legislative backing needed for lasting impact.

Roosevelt transformed the U.S. during the Great Depression by leveraging overwhelming congressional support to pass significant legislation, contrasting with Trump's reliance on executive orders which are vulnerable to judicial review.

Roosevelt's first 100 days were marked by cooperative government-industry initiatives and extensive public welfare reforms, setting a high standard for presidential accomplishments that Trump's actions fail to meet.

Trump's approach has been criticized for attempting to centralize power and undermine democratic institutions, leading to widespread opposition and legal challenges that have stalled many of his initiatives.

The article highlights that Trump's inability to secure legislative victories reflects his misunderstanding of the American political system, contrasting with Roosevelt's strategic engagement with Congress to effect change.

Despite Trump's efforts to consolidate power, his declining popularity and the legal constraints on his executive actions have hindered his ability to achieve his authoritarian goals.

The resilience of American democratic institutions provides hope that while the threat of dictatorship is real, the structural checks and balances can prevent Trump's ambitions from being fully realized.