During a congressional hearing covered on March 25, 2025, Cato Institute's representative Colin Grabow criticized President Trump's plan to impose tariffs on Chinese container ships. He argued that the policy wrongly attributes long-standing issues in American shipbuilding to China's rise and warned that the fees could harm American exporters and consumers.

At a public hearing, Cato Institute representative Colin Grabow criticized President Trump’s proposal to impose fees on Chinese container ships, arguing that the policy is misguided and overlooks deeper, systemic challenges in the U.S. shipbuilding industry. The statement reflects the Institute’s commitment to free market principles and skepticism about state intervention, positioning the organization against policies that concentrate governmental power in ways that may support authoritarian practices.

The Cato Institute successfully leveraged a FOIA administrative appeal to obtain previously redacted data on the DEA’s HEMISPHERE surveillance program. This victory enhances government transparency and accountability, countering authoritarian overreach by exposing mass surveillance practices.

Based on OpenSecrets data, the Cato Institute has minimal reported political contributions ($6,092) and has not engaged in lobbying or outside spending during the 2024 election cycle. This limited financial engagement suggests a reduced risk of indirectly supporting authoritarian or fascist practices through political influence.

In a recent discussion surrounding the proposed TikTok ban, the Cato Institute invoked John Stuart Mill’s 'On Liberty' to argue that even propaganda should be protected. The institute’s stance reflects its long-standing commitment to free speech and limited government intervention, though its absolutist approach raises questions about accountability in the face of extremist narratives.

Cato Institute, a leading libertarian think tank, filed a lawsuit against the FBI and DOJ for refusing to release audit records related to warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of FISA. The lawsuit underscores the Institute’s commitment to government transparency and accountability in countering authoritarian practices.

The OpenSecrets profile indicates that the Cato Institute has not reported any federal lobbying or lobbying on specific bills, suggesting minimal direct political influence. This absence of lobbying activity reduces potential complicity in influencing policies that favor authoritarian practices.

Cato Institute's 2023 Annual Report champions transparency as a way to counter government censorship by proxy. The report argues that exposing covert government pressures on private platforms strengthens free speech, accountability, and democratic participation, reflecting a strong anti-authoritarian stance.

On September 20, 2023, the Cato Institute published a detailed policy analysis titled 'Pariah or Partner?' urging a fundamental reevaluation of the longstanding U.S.-Saudi relationship. The analysis criticizes the U.S. for its unquestioning support of authoritarian regimes and calls for a more principled, arms-sales-free, and non-interventionist approach in the Middle East. This research reflects the Institute's commitment to promoting policies that oppose state complicity in systemic repression and authoritarian overreach.

The Cato Institute published a detailed policy analysis challenging the U.S. foreign policy that underpins support for authoritarian regimes in the Middle East. The publication critiques the longstanding practice of backing autocratic governments through military aid and arms sales, arguing that such support undermines democratic values and exacerbates regional instability. This research contributes to public political discourse by calling for a reassessment of American strategic alliances and a move away from policies that inadvertently bolster authoritarianism.