“Trump Wants to Be a King, Not a President”: Joyce Vance Warns of Risks Ahead of 2024 Election

Months before Donald Trump secured his 2024 presidential victory, former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of his return to power. Vance likened Trump’s ambitions to those of a king, expressing concern over his aspirations for unchecked authority. She cautioned that disengagement from voting could unintentionally pave the way for such a scenario.

In a detailed Substack essay, Vance emphasized the critical importance of civic engagement, urging Americans to recognize the influence of their votes not only in national elections but also in smaller, local contests. “Decisions about who your mayor or sheriff is will definitely impact your life. But voting matters in national elections too,” she wrote, highlighting the razor-thin margin of Florida’s 2000 presidential election as a cautionary tale, as reported by Raw Story.

“The nation’s fate hung on fewer than 1,000 votes,” Vance stressed that a decisive victory for Joe Biden—or, as the race has since shifted, Kamala Harris—was essential to safeguard against Trump’s potential attempts to undermine democracy. Reflecting on Trump’s actions following his 2020 loss, including the January 6 Capitol insurrection and propagation of the “Big Lie,” Vance wrote, “Biden will need to win with overwhelming numbers as protection against what will come from Trump in the wake of a loss. Trump wants to be a king, not a president.”

She further critiqued Trump’s prospective policies, warning of their potentially far-reaching consequences. “Dislike Biden’s stance on Israel or any number of foreign policy issues? Think he’s not doing enough about climate change or criminal justice reform? You’re going to love Trump’s policies in his 2.0 administration,” Vance noted, alluding to Trump’s expressed intent to politicize the Department of Justice and deprioritize climate change, told Newsweek.

Vance underscored the broader threat posed by a second Trump administration, pointing to his moves toward authoritarianism as a rallying call for voter turnout across the political spectrum. “It’s the move towards authoritarianism that should get everyone, regardless of their politics, out to the polls next year,” she argued.

Meanwhile, Trump, the GOP frontrunner, continues to face a litany of criminal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding. Trump has denied all accusations, calling them politically motivated and part of a “witch hunt.” As the nation braces for the next phase of its political future, Vance’s warnings serve as a call to action for Americans to engage actively in the democratic process to determine the country’s direction.