diff --git a/server/src/utils/auth.js b/server/src/utils/auth.js
index bb29e4d..2749216 100644
--- a/server/src/utils/auth.js
+++ b/server/src/utils/auth.js
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ const jwt = require('jsonwebtoken')
 require('dotenv').config()
 
 const log = require('./logger')('auth')
+const users = require('../model/users/users.model')
 
 const JWT_SECRET = process.env.JWT_SECRET
 const JWT_EXPIRES_IN = process.env.JWT_EXPIRES_IN || '1d'
@@ -77,12 +78,22 @@ function getUserFromRequest(req) {
   return verifyToken(token)
 }
 
-// Gate middleware for protected (admin) routes.
-function isLoggedIn(req, res, next) {
-  const user = getUserFromRequest(req)
-  if (!user) return res.status(401).json({ message: 'Unauthorized' })
-  req.user = user
-  return next()
+// Gate middleware for protected (admin) routes. Re-validates the token against
+// the database on every request so a demoted or deleted user loses access
+// immediately, instead of keeping their old role (or a working session) until
+// the JWT expires. req.user carries the fresh DB row, not the token payload.
+async function isLoggedIn(req, res, next) {
+  const decoded = getUserFromRequest(req)
+  if (!decoded) return res.status(401).json({ message: 'Unauthorized' })
+  try {
+    const user = await users.getById(decoded.id)
+    if (!user) return res.status(401).json({ message: 'Unauthorized' }) // deleted since token issued
+    req.user = user
+    return next()
+  } catch (err) {
+    log.error('isLoggedIn', err)
+    return res.status(500).json({ message: 'Internal Server Error' })
+  }
 }
 
 // Gate middleware factory: allow only the listed roles. Assumes isLoggedIn ran