It feels as though the American people are powerless in this moment of profound crisis. President Trump increasingly appears insulated from correction or indictment, as if he exists outside the normal bounds of accountability. A significant portion of public disillusionment stems from his persistent bending – or outright breaking – of established norms, straining the capacity of courts and oversight institutions.

These bodies struggle to respond in real time, and some appear constrained or intimidated, deepening the perception that he stands above the law. No democracy should allow any leader such unchecked power. What was once designed to protect the republic now risks being wielded against it, threatening both domestic governance and the nation’s international credibility.

Those who refuse political fealty are marginalized or targeted, while segments of the federal government and national defense structures have, by many accounts, been reshaped to serve personal rather than institutional interests. Although these developments are well documented, the urgency to address them remains. Without decisive civic and institutional action, the erosion of democratic norms will only accelerate. A nation that hesitates to defend its own checks and balances invites its undoing.

This confrontational, media-saturating strategy did not arise by chance. Political advisors encouraged an approach designed to overwhelm public discourse with controversy and chaos—an intentional tactic to exhaust citizens and disable accountability. When paired with an uncompromising, aggressive posture toward critics, the result is a presidency operating with unprecedented audacity. What emerges is an executive functioning less as a steward of governance and more as an apex actor wielding immense influence both domestically and globally in the nation’s name.

Compounding this crisis is the continued support of powerful social and economic constituencies. From influential religious movements to segments of concentrated wealth, a range of forces sustains this political structure. Where institutional checks are weakened—whether by pressure, loyalty, or complacency—democratic resilience falters. History reminds us that power consolidated in this way rarely ends well. The same dynamics that elevate leaders beyond reproach often destroy both the leader and the nation he corrupts.

Who will defend the constitutional order if citizens themselves will not? Too many appear willing to watch as foundational norms erode. I cannot. As someone who has spent a lifetime in construction—literally helping to build this nation—I view the decay of our economy, infrastructure, and civic institutions with profound concern. These are not abstractions; they are systems that sustain the vulnerable, the retired, and the unwell. When we allow disinvestment in education and social programs, we compromise the very future we claim to protect.

At what point does the accumulation of violations demand constitutional remedy—whether impeachment or another lawful mechanism of removal—to safeguard the republic? How much more must be dismantled before Americans mobilize for the common good? These are not rhetorical questions; they are the defining test of our era. The survival of democratic governance depends on timely, principled action by officials, civil society, and citizens alike. Without it, the steady weakening of checks and balances will continue to imperil the foundations of self-government.