In Hell with 47

[Ferrocyanide]

[...] disbanding NATO [...]

America can withdraw from NATO. America cannot "disband" it.

Also, the article neglects to mention another key controllable necessary for a dictatorship -- the media.

Yes, you need very good control of TV channels, newspapers, ISPs if you want to be a dictator.
All dictators tell ISPs which websites to block. There is a map of the internet and which countries block and how much they block on the weeb.

I guess you need to remove certain people from power positions, such as police forces, the army and replace them with your friends.
Eventually, you can use the police force and army to eliminate citizens you don't like.