Final answer:
Tyranny could be an issue in the U.S. through the tyranny of the majority or when civil liberties are suspended for national security reasons. The balance between individual rights and government intervention is continuously debated, as seen with the USA PATRIOT Act, surveillance, and responses to COVID-19.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, tyranny could still be a problem in the United States in various forms, such as the potential for the tyranny of the majority, where the majority could oppress minority groups, as Alexis de Tocqueville argued. There are historical examples where the U.S. government has suspended civil liberties during wartime, as in World War I. Moreover, contemporary issues such as the USA PATRIOT Act and the surveillance by the FBI and NSA raise questions about the balance between national security and individual freedoms.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, trade-offs between state and federal responses to mask and social distancing mandates also highlighted tensions between levels of government concerning public safety and individual freedoms. The ability of government to regulate business practices to prevent misdeeds is another area where the potential for overreach and potential tyranny exists if safeguards are not maintained. These situations all reflect ongoing debates on how to prevent tyranny while upholding democratic values and protecting public welfare.