Dictators defend their rule with guns. Democrats defend their rule with paper.

Of course, the constitution that upholds democracy is not just any piece of paper. It is a document backed up by political institutions, by courts, and by the public will. In a normal situation, this paper is stronger than military force or police actions because the product of the pen is indeed mightier than the sword.

But we don’t live in normal times.

In Russia, the democratically elected leader forced through constitutional changes that effectively made him leader for life. In South Korea, the president declared martial law in order to suspend the constitution and allow rule by decree.

Vladimir Putin succeeded in Russia; Yoon Suk Yeol in Korea did not. The different results owe much to two factors: the ruthlessness of the leader and the strength of the political culture.

Donald Trump, in his two months in office, has treated the U.S. constitution like a roll of toilet paper. The foundational document of the United States has no power, in his estimation, except for what it can do for him.

The ruthlessness of Trump is without question. As a businessman, he consorted with organized crime, and it rubbed off on his personality if not his behavior. What remains unclear, however, is the strength of U.S. political culture and its capacity to resist a president’s whims and his assaults on the law.

Recently, Trump has talked about becoming a three-term president. The constitution is clear on this issue. According to the Twenty-Second Amendment, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”

Ah, but what about the supposed loophole involving the word “elected”? According to this much-discussed scenario, J.D. Vance would run for president in 2028, with Trump as........

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