Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has decried the growing threat of a resurgence of worldwide fascism bolstered by President Donald Trump’s scorn for democracy and human rights.

“Fascism — and the tendencies that lead toward fascism — pose a more serious threat now than at any time since the end of World War II,” Albright wrote in a scathing op-ed for The New York Times published on Friday.

“The possibility that fascism will be accorded a fresh chance to strut around the world stage is enhanced by the volatile presidency of Donald Trump,” she noted.

Albright, who under President Bill Clinton became the first woman to lead the US State Department, warned that the American leadership is being eroded under Trump’s presidency.

“If freedom is to prevail over the many challenges to it, American leadership is urgently required. This was among the indelible lessons of the 20th century,” she wrote. “But by what he has said, done and failed to do, Mr. Trump has steadily diminished America’s positive clout in global councils.”

Albright criticized Trump’s disregard for democratic institutions, civil liberties and human rights, saying his policies have exacerbated “religious, social and racial divisions.”

Trump has “attacked the judiciary, ridiculed the media, defended torture, condoned police brutality, urged supporters to rough up hecklers and … equated mere policy disagreements with treason,” she wrote.

The president’s conduct in the White House, Albright contended, has also emboldened autocrats around the world.

“Instead of standing up for the values of a free society, Mr. Trump’s oft-vented scorn for democracy’s building blocks has strengthened the hands of dictators,” she said.

“No longer need they fear United States criticism regarding human rights or civil liberties. On the contrary, they can and do point to Mr. Trump’s own words to justify their repressive actions.”

Furthermore, the former secretary warned that Trump’s threats to pull out from the Iran nuclear deal and his aggressive approach to North Korea could “set in motion events that neither he nor anyone else can control.”

As a presidential candidate and since taking office in January 2017, Trump has touted an “America first” agenda to foreign policy, vowing to fight back against what he believes are lopsided global alliances.

The president has also been reluctant to publicly criticize Russia, which the US intelligence community has accused of interfering in the 2016 elections in favor of Trump.

Albright warned that such behavior could set a dangerous precedent in the world. “Overseas, rather than stand up to bullies, Mr. Trump appears to like bullies, and they are delighted to have him represent the American brand.”

The op-ed sparked a firestorm on Twitter, pitting those taking the warnings to heart against Trump’s supporters.