Supreme Court Justice Foresees Trump Era Echoing Rome’s Downfall: A Stark Warning

Well before President Donald Trump launched his campaign for his initial term, conservative Supreme Court Justice David Souter seemed to foresee the future with a shocking alert about how democracy might come undone.

The former High Court judge, who stepped down in 2009, passed away last week at the age of 85. Nevertheless, his remarks from 2012 have come to light again recently. New York Times article from Monday penned by Adam Liptak .

"One individual will step up and declare, 'Grant me complete authority, and I will resolve this issue,'" Souter stated during his address at an open forum hosted by the New Hampshire Arts Center.

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Liptak said Souter was usually the opposite of excitable, but when asked, “What should schools be doing to produce civically engaged students?” The Judge grew “animated."

Recalling his high school years, he mentioned, "We had to take two mandatory civics classes. By the time we graduated, even though our knowledge wasn’t extensive, we did grasp the fundamental workings of the U.S. government."

I'll cut to the chase," Souter stated. "I don't think there is any issue in contemporary American politics and society as crucial as the widespread lack of understanding about the U.S. Constitution and how our government operates.

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As per Liptak, Souter expressed his concern that public unawareness of the functioning of the American government could lead to the rise of an authoritarian figure claiming complete authority.

That’s how democracy ends," Souter stated. "A uninformed populace can never stay a free one. Democracy can’t withstand excessive ignorance.

"That’s how the Roman Republic collapsed," he noted.

Liptak observed, "Augustus attained his position as an authoritarian emperor by pledging to revive traditional values."

Justice Souter cautioned, "There will be a time when someone steps up, and both us and the government will essentially respond: 'Take the initiative and proceed. Carry out whatever actions are necessary.'"

The comments, dating back to 2012, were made during an hour-long interview alongside Margaret Warner from “PBS NewsHour.”

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