While the U.S. under Trump has not engaged in state-sponsored kidnappings in the way countries like Russia, North Korea, or Saudi Arabia have, there are concerning parallels in the use of power to suppress dissent, control narratives, and intimidate opposition.
Russia, for instance, has a well-documented history of targeting political dissidents both domestically and abroad, often through detention, forced disappearances, or worse.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is a chilling example of a regime that silences critics with impunity.
North Korea is notorious for disappearing citizens—including foreign nationals—for perceived disloyalty.
While Trump hasn’t gone to those extremes, there are echoes of authoritarianism in his behavior—such as:
Calling for the jailing of political opponents.
Undermining free press by labeling it "the enemy of the people."
Encouraging violence against protestors.
Threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act during protests.
Using federal agents against protestors in Portland without coordination with local officials.
These actions don’t equate to kidnapping, but they do show a willingness to blur the lines between strong governance and authoritarian overreach. It's not the same degree, but it may be part of the same playbook—one that seeks to centralize power, weaken institutions, and marginalize dissent.
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