Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy told a CNN audience Monday that President Donald Trump is working to dismantle core democratic safeguards.

Murphy argued that Trump admires autocratic rulers in Russia and China because he seeks comparable personal power, rejects election outcomes that do not favor his allies, prefers news outlets he can direct, and deploys White House authority, including the Justice Department, against political rivals.

He said corporations, universities, and major law firms have not resisted these efforts, yet voters keep participating in large numbers and will do so again this fall rather than accept a system that permanently enriches the Trump family. Murphy also predicted Trump will praise China’s leader at an upcoming summit, which he said will highlight that open government and free expression remain at stake in November.