Fear is arguably one of the strongest human emotions. It is what makes us patriotic. Nelson Mandela once said, “I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it” (Long Walk to Freedom, 1994). Fear, or more specifically, the fear of losing what we value, provides us with the courage to fight for the liberties that secure our futures.
Fear of the unknown, on the other hand, is the stimulus for anxiety and paranoia and fuels MAGA’s disinformation strategies, conspiracy theories and pathological lies. Much of the Trump inspired MAGA agenda is purposely cluttered with unclear policy details (“We’ll give you money and you buy your healthcare”; “I’ll accept the results of the 2026 midterm elections if they are honest”). As the MAGA agenda becomes more and more extreme and violent, our brains tend to fill in the missing details with predictions of what the worst-case results may be. Those results are enough for many to seek safety by avoiding involvement including speaking out, protesting and voting. Knowledge of Trump’s agenda and its likelihood of success can, therefore, provide us with the courage to come out and resist.
To the millions who voted for insanity over reason and are now struggling to eek out an existence, or to the disenchanted youth who are deciding in increasing numbers to become part of the solution, or to the fearful who are realizing that they won’t wake up tomorrow and everything will be better, hope is not lost. Donald Trump is not a dictator — not yet.
MAGA is counting on us to behave as they expect, to complete the storied outcome with the worst-case scenario; after all, Trump does illegal things all the time. No one is stopping him, right?
As it turns out, not so.
At least 60+ of Trump’s administrative actions have been blocked, paused or stayed (AP tally reported by PBS News Hour, 2025). In only 7 cases has the SCOTUS stayed or blocked injunctions without explanation (shadow docket) (Brennan Center for Justice, Aug. 14, 2025). Trump loyalists, including the indifferent majority of the Republican congressional caucus, want us to believe that the courts belong to them. The fact of the matter is that the Judicial Branch is far from being impotent. The expectation is that courts will continue to block or uphold cases at increasing rates.
Trump does not have total control over our government — not yet.
He speaks of illegally changing or eliminating the constitutionally protected 2026 midterm elections — it’s not happening. States won’t allow it (US Constitution, Article 1, Section 4, Clause 1).
He strives for loyalty over the rule of law, but he hasn’t achieved that yet (US Constitution, Article IV, Clause 2).
He would prefer a one-party system — it’s not happening (US Constitution, Article I, Sections 2 & 3; Article II, Section 1, 14th Amendment).
He has threatened with jail, deportation or death all immigrants, journalists, judges, political opponents and any one of us who chooses to exercise our First Amendment rights; see you in the streets, 47 (1st Amendment). The signals are clear: MAGA is losing and we are winning!
Don’t be afraid and don’t be complacent. Get in the fight to save America. Do anything or everything or just do something. Call members of Congress and voice your opposition or support for issues you believe in (the SAVE ACT is bad). Consider becoming part of the “not so silent minority.” Join your neighbors on the streets on March 28.
Roy Neal
Linden
