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Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has issued a stark warning about President Trump’s recent moves to consolidate power, calling it a direct threat to democracy. Speaking on ABC News’s “This Week,” Murphy stated that the country is facing an unprecedented constitutional crisis, comparing it to the turmoil of Watergate.
“I think this is the most serious constitutional crisis the country has faced, certainly since Watergate. The President is attempting to seize control of power, and for corrupt purposes,” Murphy said in an interview with Martha Raddatz. His remarks were widely circulated after being highlighted by Mediaite.
Murphy emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that Trump’s actions could permanently undermine the country’s democratic institutions. “This is a red-alert moment when this entire country has to understand that our democracy is at risk, and for what? The billionaire takeover of government,” he added.
The senator’s warning comes as reports emerge that Trump ally and tech billionaire Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has taken aggressive steps to access sensitive government data.
DOGE staff have been dispatched to multiple federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management and the Treasury Department, in efforts to retrieve financial and personnel records.
Murphy and other critics argue that these actions go far beyond normal governance and could have dire consequences for democratic accountability. Sources indicate that multiple federal officials have attempted to limit DOGE’s access, only to face retaliation.
Some career government employees have reportedly been pushed aside or faced punitive measures for refusing to cooperate.
One of the highest-profile clashes occurred at the Treasury Department, where longtime official David Lebryk recently retired following disputes with Musk’s allies over access to government payment systems.
Lebryk had resisted a request from DOGE to gain entry into a Treasury system used for distributing federal funds, citing concerns over improper use. His sudden departure has raised concerns about growing political pressure on government agencies.
Murphy specifically pointed to the financial system as a critical area where Trump is consolidating power. “The President wants to be able to decide how and where money is spent so that he can reward his political friends, he can punish his political enemies. That is the evisceration of democracy,” Murphy said.
Trump and his allies have defended their actions as part of a broader effort to eliminate government inefficiency and increase executive control over federal spending.
However, critics argue that these moves amount to an unprecedented politicization of federal agencies, with the goal of centralizing financial control within the White House.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a longtime Trump critic, echoed Murphy’s concerns and criticized Democrats for failing to anticipate these developments. In a post on social media platform X, Kinzinger accused Democrats of being unprepared for Trump’s recent moves.
“I’m going to keep hitting this: the Democrats are THE ONLY political opposition. They had three months to prepare for these acts. And they seem surprised and flat footed,” Kinzinger wrote.
His statement highlights growing frustration among anti-Trump lawmakers and political analysts who believe that opposition leaders have underestimated Trump’s willingness to push the boundaries of executive power.
Some have called for immediate congressional action to investigate DOGE’s activities and limit its authority over government systems.
Despite mounting criticism, the Trump administration has not backed down. In a recent statement, a White House spokesperson defended the administration’s actions, arguing that they are necessary to “modernize and streamline” government functions.
The spokesperson dismissed concerns over executive overreach as partisan fearmongering.
However, many government officials remain uneasy about the rapid pace of changes being implemented under Trump’s directive. Several agencies are reportedly reviewing their internal policies to determine whether additional safeguards are needed to prevent political interference in financial and personnel systems.
Political analysts note that the current situation bears resemblance to past executive overreach attempts but caution that the scale and speed of Trump’s actions are unprecedented.
Some have warned that if left unchecked, the administration’s efforts to consolidate financial and administrative control could permanently alter the balance of power in Washington.
Murphy has called for immediate congressional hearings to address the crisis, urging lawmakers from both parties to take a stand against what he describes as a fundamental threat to democratic governance.
“This is not about politics. This is about protecting the integrity of our democracy. If we fail to act now, we may not have another chance,” he warned.
As the controversy continues to escalate, political observers are closely watching how Congress and federal agencies will respond.
The unfolding situation could set a significant precedent for the limits of executive power in the United States, shaping the country’s political landscape for years to come.
