WASHINGTON, D.C. January 12, 2026.
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Sunday, accusing him of seeking “absolute power” by intimidating and prosecuting political opponents rather than engaging in democratic debate.
In a lengthy statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Sanders argued that Trump’s actions toward figures across the political spectrum represent a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism. The post, which included a detailed graphic of the statement, quickly gained traction, amassing over 1,500 likes and hundreds of reposts within hours.
Sanders began by defending Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, a conservative Republican whom Sanders himself voted against confirming due to policy differences. “In a democracy, debate and disagreement are normal,” Sanders wrote. However, he claimed Trump is “actively prosecuting Powell not because the Fed Chair broke the law, but because he won’t bend the knee to Donald Trump. This is what happens in dictatorships, not democracies.”
The senator cited additional examples:
– When Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) criticized Trump’s “authoritarian rhetoric and threats,” Sanders alleged the administration had the Defense Department investigate him for misconduct and threatened execution.
– New York Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully prosecuted Trump in a civil fraud case, was subsequently “charged with a crime” in retaliation, according to Sanders.
– A broader list of targets, including former FBI Director James Comey, Special Counsel Jack Smith, Senator Adam Schiff, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, John Bolton, Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci, and former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
“Donald Trump doesn’t disagree with his opponents,” Sanders stated. “He seeks to intimidate and destroy them as part of his march to authoritarianism.”
Sanders called for bipartisan unity, noting deep divisions among Republicans, Democrats, and independents on major issues but emphasizing one point of agreement: “We must not allow political disagreement to become a crime. We must not allow our great country, the United States of America, to become an authoritarian society.”
Concluding emphatically, Sanders declared: “Trump’s persecution of his political opponents must end.”
The statement comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and various institutions, including the Federal Reserve, over economic policy and independence. As of early Monday, the White House had not issued an official response to Sanders’ remarks.
The full post can be viewed on Senator Sanders’ X account (@SenSanders). A similar statement was also published on his official Senate website.
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