Cynthia A. Baldwin: Is this your America?

November 9, 2025

This opinion piece presents a critical perspective on current presidential leadership, arguing that fundamental American democratic principles are being eroded. The author catalogs numerous alleged actions including immigration enforcement without due process, personal financial enrichment through office, attacks on press freedom, and dismantling of diversity initiatives. The piece contends that traditional checks and balances from Congress and the Supreme Court have weakened, while federal services and international commitments are being reduced.

Who is affected

Immigrants facing arrest and deportation
Political opponents of the president
January 6 assault convicts who received pardons/commutations
American taxpayers
Foreign governments conducting business with presidential properties
Press and media organizations (particularly independent and rural news sources)
Members of Congress
Supreme Court justices
Universities with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs
Children and vulnerable populations losing food and healthcare benefits
The poor facing reduced financial supports
Federal workers facing termination or unpaid furloughs
Military personnel
People suffering from disasters in Alaska and other areas
Vulnerable people worldwide dependent on U.S. aid

What action is being taken

Masked, armed troops are arresting and deporting people
The Department of Justice is pursuing the president's political opponents
The president is demolishing part of the White House
The president is charging taxpayers $230 million
Foreign governments are spending at presidential hotels and purchasing condos
The president and family are promoting Trump meme coin and cryptocurrency
The president is restricting press coverage of his administration
Funding is being removed from independent news media
The military is attacking boats in international waters
The Supreme Court is making decisions
The government is dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
The president is threatening university funding over DEI programs
Federal workers are being fired
The president is pursuing the Nobel Peace Prize
The United States has withdrawn from the World Health Organization

Why it matters

This matters because the author argues these actions represent a fundamental threat to American democracy and its founding principles. The alleged erosion of checks and balances, attacks on press freedom, and personal enrichment through public office undermine institutional integrity. The dismantling of social programs, diversity initiatives, and international partnerships affects both domestic vulnerable populations and America's global standing. According to the author, these changes collectively represent a departure from established democratic norms that could permanently alter the character of American governance and society for current and future generations.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article (beyond the author's general call to "fight every day" to resist this vision of America).

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle