Here’s one big way you’ll know if we’re in a presidential dictatorship

Summary

Trump's defiance of court orders—refusing to release funds or reinstate officials—signals a dangerous drift toward dictatorship.

Courts use civil and criminal contempt to enforce orders, yet their power relies on DOJ-controlled agencies like the Marshals and Bureau of Prisons.

If the DOJ ignores or pardons contempt findings, judicial authority is undermined.

With Congress failing to check executive overreach, Trump's persistent noncompliance erodes the rule of law.

The situation risks transforming government into a dictatorship unless public outrage and political resistance reverse this trend.