US earns its lowest-ever score on Freedom House index amid Trump's expanded executive power

WASHINGTON: The United States has recorded its lowest freedom score since assessments began, as a prominent pro-democracy research group pointed to President Donald Trump's expanded use of executive power as a key factor behind the decline.

Washington-based Freedom House reported on Wednesday that freedom in the US has dropped to its lowest level since the organisation began its evaluations. The group also noted that global freedom has declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, describing the trend as a "grim milestone."

US score drops to 81 out of 100

While the United States continues to be classified as "free," its score fell to 81 out of 100 — the lowest since the 100-point scoring system was introduced in 2002. The score places the US alongside South Africa and below several of its European allies, as well as South Korea and Panama.

According to Freedom House, the decline was attributed to several factors, including legislative dysfunction, increased executive dominance, pressure on free expression, and efforts to weaken anti-corruption safeguards.

Trump's assertion of presidential power

The report highlighted that President Trump has asserted presidential power by shutting down government agencies and deploying armed immigration agents across the country. The US saw a three-point decline in its score — a drop that was only matched by one other "free" country, Bulgaria.

Global freedom continues to shrink

The Freedom House assessment painted a bleak picture of the state of global freedom as well. According to the group's findings, just 21 per cent of the world's population now lives in nations classified as "free." The 20th straight year of declining global freedom underscores a prolonged erosion of democratic norms and civil liberties worldwide.

The annual report by Freedom House is widely regarded as a benchmark for evaluating the state of political rights and civil liberties across the globe. The organisation's latest findings are likely to fuel ongoing debate about the trajectory of democratic governance in the United States and its implications for the broader international order.