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Snider emphasizes Adams's administration, noting the enactment of the Alien and Sedition Acts, which resulted in the prosecution of over a hundred critics and dissenters. This act exemplified an early abuse of presidential power that aimed to stifle opposition and dissent—hallmarks of authoritarianism.
Andrew Johnson and Threats of Violence
Likewise, Andrew Johnson's administration displayed troubling tendencies, specifically urging violence against political opponents. Through these historical actions, Snider indicates a persistent pattern where the executive branch overreached, compromising foundational democratic values.