As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence this weekend, Trump administration policies are threatening the exercise of human rights essential to democracy.

Since returning to power last year, the administration has substantively undermined or threatened the rule of law, free speech and expression, the right to vote, and key oversight, accountability, and transparency mechanisms.

Human Rights Watch has investigated and documented the many ways rights are menaced by the administration, including the elimination of federal civil rights remedies for discrimination, abusive, racist, and violent immigration enforcement, efforts to impose unwarranted restrictions on voter registration, and moves to impede the exercise of reproductive rights.

A new feature collects our reporting since the beginning of 2026 alone to highlight just how extensive the Trump administration’s harms have been.

Read the feature >> Democracy in Decline Under Trump

“The US should celebrate the nation’s founding principles and promise,” said HRW’s US Director Tanya Greene. “That includes acknowledging and challenging its failings and working to guarantee human rights and democracy for all.”