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It seems that our democracy is being threatened at every turn and corner. Our president is just that—he serves at the will and pleasure of the people. He is not a king but is elected. Our Congress makes the laws, and he is subservient to them just as the people are.

Democracy is majority rule. It has played a vital role in the story of civilization, helping transform the world from the power structure of monarchy, empire and conquest into a popular form of government that allows for free elections, the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts. All of these are facing threats today.

Departments of the government are being dismantled by a person who was not elected or appointed by Congress. He is a naturalized citizen and has been given powers that no other citizen has. At some points, department heads have been locked out of their offices. The very pillars of democracy are under stress in America.

The president’s sudden and attempted move to freeze trillions of dollars in federal funding—a blatantly illegal order to some experts and lawmakers—gives little guidance on which programs will be denied funds and has caused chaos and confusion throughout the government at all levels. Should these efforts prove successful, many American families could lose jobs and vital services such as school lunches for children or health care funded by Medicaid. Even Social Security and Medicare could be threatened.

In this instance, the U.S. Congress is critical to upholding federal checks and balances by using its constitutional power of the purse and oversight authority to ensure that the interests of the American people are paramount.

Our Republican-dominated Congress, it appears, is ready to bow to the president and Elon Musk—no questions asked—and do their will. Democrats seemingly don’t know what to do and are sitting back, letting the president have his way.

Congress approved men and women for Cabinet positions who were unqualified and nominated not because of their abilities but to do the will of the president. Yes, some questions were asked by senators and representatives, but in the end, they approved them as leaders of our government.

Elon Musk has emerged as one of the most troubling examples of corruption. Through his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk, who has multiple government contracts as well as business ventures in China, has been granted unaccountable, unelected and non-transparent access to key government departments and agencies. In this role, Musk has driven the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, raising serious questions of constitutional law. He has attempted to provide DOGE associates access to sensitive payment systems and the Department of the Treasury, and he has locked federal agents out of agency computers.

The blending of such unchecked power, private interests and authority is something that Congress should stand up to and assert its power. But, sadly, they are sitting back.

And just this past week, it was reported by numerous news outlets that the president has already spent $10.7 million of taxpayer money playing golf while cutting a bunch of programs, laying off employees, etc., in an effort to save the government money.

Tennessee’s own lawmakers, who often speak the loudest when it comes to questionable tactics, have remained quiet and refused to weigh in on the lawlessness of Musk’s actions.

Ultimately, the future of democracy and the strength of its pillars to withstand this blizzard of actions are in the hands of citizens. When is our Congress going to find the courage to stand up for the citizens of this country? We are waiting for Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and Rep. Diana Harshbarger to find their courage.