Echoes of the American Revolution Still Linger Today
As we enter a new year with a new presidential administration set to take office in a few weeks, the latest developments from the Trump bunch offer a glimpse into what may lie ahead. The journey we are about to embark on with this bunch could either serve as a true test of our one-of-a-kind democracy or signal its potential collapse.
Historically, policy is not the reason a government collapses as many extreme governments exist just fine today. Policies may shape laws, but character shapes history and history shows that it is the “leader” or “face” of these governments who concentrate wealth and power.
During the American Revolution, several phrases emerged to express discontent with British rule and its treatment of the colonies. Interestingly, many of these slogans still resonate today, depending on the context in which they are applied.
We’ve already seen Trump’s cabinet appointments filled with figures such as billionaires Howard Lutnick, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Elon Musk; conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; TV personalities like Linda McMahon and Pete Hegseth; Project 2025 key players Tom Homan and Russel Vought; and Trump loyalists Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem, and Tulsi Gabbard—the list goes on.
We’ve already witnessed early discourse within this group, particularly involving Elon Musk. From the apparent bromance between Trump and Musk to a perceived power struggle, there are claims that Musk, rather than the President-elect, is calling the shots. Adding to the tension are comments by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy about H-1B visas, which have ignited an online spat among Trump supporters.
With all of this being said, the coming years will likely serve as a redefining moment for the American experiment. And with players such as those mentioned making their way toward the White House— it remains to be seen whether our democracy can weather the storm.
No Taxation Without Representation
The phrase “No taxation without representation” captured the strive of the American colonists under British rule, where decisions impacting their lives were made by a distant and unaccountable government. The colonies felt they shouldn’t be taxed, at high dollar, should the government not take care, ignore, and use its citizens.
Similarly, today, concerns echo regarding the Republican agenda. Though cabinet appointments require congressional confirmation, Trump has hinted at using recess appointments to bypass this process, raising further questions about precedent and accountability.
Furthermore, the GOP and Trump agenda evoke fears that the American public may become mere puppets in their orchestrated show. They aim to control everything they can influence—our minds, voices, actions, and decisions—all under the guise of what they believe is best, rather than focusing on what truly serves the general welfare of our nation.
Just as colonists protested against a lack of representation and out-of-touch governments, Americans now face a parallel challenge: ensuring that leaders act in the nation’s best interest rather than consolidating power and wealth among a select few.
Don’t Tread on Me Project 2025
The iconic Revolutionary War slogan and Gadsden flag “Don’t tread on me” symbolized a fierce resistance to tyranny and an unwavering demand for personal freedoms. While Trump supporters often use this flag as a sign of solidarity, I use this sentiment, in its rightful context, to express growing anxieties about the consolidation of power under this upcoming right-wing administration.
Project 2025 is set to overhaul the executive branch of government—a roadmap designed to replace the rule of law with right-wing ideals. The executive branch is targeted not only because it holds significant authority but because it is the easiest branch to change and manipulate compared to the legislative and judicial branches.
Women’s bodies will be regulated. Our lives will be surveilled. The First Amendment will be violated by using federal law enforcement to target journalists and protesters. Academic discussions about race, gender, and systemic oppression will be censored, also in violation of the First Amendment, with promises to cut federal funding for schools addressing these topics—and much more.
Like the colonists’ resistance to overreach, there’s a modern call to ensure that democratic principles remain intact, and governance is rooted in transparency and accountability.
While the dynamics of governance are always subject to tension and change, it is the character of leadership that will ultimately determine whether this period marks a renaissance of American strength or a troubling erosion of its democratic foundations. The stage is set, but it is the actions of these actors—and the courage and vigilance of the American people—that will decide the nation’s course.
Good night and good luck.
