I didn't mean "someone" this literally. In both cases, many people were directly involved or allowed things to happen by not intervening.

My point was the more general one that a system of government only remains in place for as long as those who have the power want it to. (Whoever that may be: an elite, the people, the military, the clergy, some combination...) The US seems to be entering a phase where a big part of those in power wants to move from liberal democracy towards authoritarianism. If they turn out to have a stable majority and follow through with their plans, then the US Constitution won't be worth more than the paper it was written on.