On January 6th, 2021, President Donald Trump ignited a flame that led to a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. While Trump did not personally storm the Capitol, his supporters did—in an effort to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election on his behalf. Their efforts, thankfully, failed. Yet, that event, which should have disqualified him from ever holding office again, has not prevented his return. Now, we find ourselves just weeks away from the start of another Trump presidency. Many share blame for this predicament, including the American people, Republicans, Democrats, the judiciary, and the mainstream media. It will require the concerted effort of all these factions to bring the country back together—if it can ever truly reunite.
The American People
America has always been a nation divided. Historically, these divisions have revolved around race, class, and ideology. The 2024 election highlighted these fractures yet again, as Americans voted for Donald Trump, a 34-times convicted felon, over a highly qualified Black woman, Vice President Kamala Harris. The 2024 election outcome raises some uncomfortable questions about the character of the American people.
Trump’s troubled history is well-documented. He has been caught on tape making lewd remarks about women, mocked a disabled reporter, and labeled Mexican immigrants as “rapists.” He is a convicted felon who was also charged with trying to overturn the 2020 Election and stealing classified documents (those charges were dismissed after his election victory). He was associated with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and bragged about walking through women dressing rooms. He has exhibited autocratic tendencies, threatened political enemies, mismanaged the COVID-19 pandemic, and presided over a recession. Despite these glaring disqualifications, Americans voted for him. This reality forces an unsettling conclusion: Trump is not an anomaly but a reflection of the nation. As a country, we are not better than this—we are this.
Republicans
The Republican Party no longer functions as a political organization dedicated to democracy or the nation’s best interests. Instead, it has become the party of Trump. Republicans who once opposed him have capitulated, bending the knee to his dominance.
The party’s voters had multiple opportunities to choose other nominees during the Republican primaries, but they didn’t. Republican lawmakers could have ensured Trump never held office again by voting to impeach him, but they refused. They could have condemned his racist and reprehensible statements, but they remained silent. The party’s actions—or lack thereof—have allowed Trump’s autocratic tendencies to flourish. Rather than defend democracy, they have chosen to rule as autocrats, with Trump as their dear leader.
Democrats
Democrats are not blameless in Trump’s rise. They nominated two highly qualified women—Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024—only to see both defeated by Trump. Although Joe Biden successfully ousted Trump in 2020, his administration and the Democratic Party did little to hold Trump and his enablers accountable for attempting to overturn the 2020 Election.
Despite holding a trifecta in Washington from 2021 - 2023, Democrats failed to strengthen democratic institutions. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s reluctance to aggressively pursue those who attacked the government reflects a broader issue: the party’s adherence to outdated norms and institutions that no longer serve their purpose. In a time when democracy demands fighters, Democrats have relied on leaders from a bygone era, ill-equipped for the challenges of the moment.
The Judiciary
Democracies often crumble when one party captures the courts. In the U.S., the judiciary is supposed to uphold democratic norms and interpret laws impartially. However, partisanship within the courts has reached alarming levels. Conservative judges, many openly partisan and some corrupt, have accelerated the decline of American democracy.
These judges frequently disregard precedent, legislate from the bench, and help implement deeply unpopular policies that Republicans cannot pass through the legislative process. They have shielded Trump from accountability while aiding his lawlessness. With such a judiciary in place, the courts cannot be trusted to hold Trump accountable, further eroding public faith in the judicial system.
Mainstream Media
During Trump’s first campaign, a CBS executive infamously remarked that Trump was bad for the country but good for business. This sentiment encapsulates the media’s role in his rise. The press has largely failed to hold Trump accountable, treating politics as a spectacle rather than a serious responsibility.
The media normalized Trump, weakened his opponents, and downplayed his unfitness for office. Corporate interests prioritized ratings and clicks over the public good, helping pave the way for his presidency. Even now, as Trump prepares to assume office again, many media outlets are already acquiescing to him, further undermining their credibility and the nation’s democratic institutions.
Conclusion
The sequel is rarely better than the original, and a second Trump administration will likely bring chaos, corruption, cruelty, and incompetence. Surviving this era will require a united effort from all Americans: Democrats and Republicans, the judiciary, the media, and everyday citizens. Yet, a significant portion of the country appears indifferent to the nation’s future or aligned with Trump’s hateful vision. If this trajectory continues, we may indeed be witnessing the late stages of American democracy and we all share the blame.
The American People
America has always been a nation divided. Historically, these divisions have revolved around race, class, and ideology. The 2024 election highlighted these fractures yet again, as Americans voted for Donald Trump, a 34-times convicted felon, over a highly qualified Black woman, Vice President Kamala Harris. The 2024 election outcome raises some uncomfortable questions about the character of the American people.
Trump’s troubled history is well-documented. He has been caught on tape making lewd remarks about women, mocked a disabled reporter, and labeled Mexican immigrants as “rapists.” He is a convicted felon who was also charged with trying to overturn the 2020 Election and stealing classified documents (those charges were dismissed after his election victory). He was associated with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and bragged about walking through women dressing rooms. He has exhibited autocratic tendencies, threatened political enemies, mismanaged the COVID-19 pandemic, and presided over a recession. Despite these glaring disqualifications, Americans voted for him. This reality forces an unsettling conclusion: Trump is not an anomaly but a reflection of the nation. As a country, we are not better than this—we are this.
Republicans
The Republican Party no longer functions as a political organization dedicated to democracy or the nation’s best interests. Instead, it has become the party of Trump. Republicans who once opposed him have capitulated, bending the knee to his dominance.
The party’s voters had multiple opportunities to choose other nominees during the Republican primaries, but they didn’t. Republican lawmakers could have ensured Trump never held office again by voting to impeach him, but they refused. They could have condemned his racist and reprehensible statements, but they remained silent. The party’s actions—or lack thereof—have allowed Trump’s autocratic tendencies to flourish. Rather than defend democracy, they have chosen to rule as autocrats, with Trump as their dear leader.
Democrats
Democrats are not blameless in Trump’s rise. They nominated two highly qualified women—Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024—only to see both defeated by Trump. Although Joe Biden successfully ousted Trump in 2020, his administration and the Democratic Party did little to hold Trump and his enablers accountable for attempting to overturn the 2020 Election.
Despite holding a trifecta in Washington from 2021 - 2023, Democrats failed to strengthen democratic institutions. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s reluctance to aggressively pursue those who attacked the government reflects a broader issue: the party’s adherence to outdated norms and institutions that no longer serve their purpose. In a time when democracy demands fighters, Democrats have relied on leaders from a bygone era, ill-equipped for the challenges of the moment.
The Judiciary
Democracies often crumble when one party captures the courts. In the U.S., the judiciary is supposed to uphold democratic norms and interpret laws impartially. However, partisanship within the courts has reached alarming levels. Conservative judges, many openly partisan and some corrupt, have accelerated the decline of American democracy.
These judges frequently disregard precedent, legislate from the bench, and help implement deeply unpopular policies that Republicans cannot pass through the legislative process. They have shielded Trump from accountability while aiding his lawlessness. With such a judiciary in place, the courts cannot be trusted to hold Trump accountable, further eroding public faith in the judicial system.
Mainstream Media
During Trump’s first campaign, a CBS executive infamously remarked that Trump was bad for the country but good for business. This sentiment encapsulates the media’s role in his rise. The press has largely failed to hold Trump accountable, treating politics as a spectacle rather than a serious responsibility.
The media normalized Trump, weakened his opponents, and downplayed his unfitness for office. Corporate interests prioritized ratings and clicks over the public good, helping pave the way for his presidency. Even now, as Trump prepares to assume office again, many media outlets are already acquiescing to him, further undermining their credibility and the nation’s democratic institutions.
Conclusion
The sequel is rarely better than the original, and a second Trump administration will likely bring chaos, corruption, cruelty, and incompetence. Surviving this era will require a united effort from all Americans: Democrats and Republicans, the judiciary, the media, and everyday citizens. Yet, a significant portion of the country appears indifferent to the nation’s future or aligned with Trump’s hateful vision. If this trajectory continues, we may indeed be witnessing the late stages of American democracy and we all share the blame.
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