Democracy depends on agreed rules for healthy functioning. When political actors break them, the system becomes strained and adversarial.

Intense polarization in D.C. has turned governance into a high-stakes battle, encouraging extreme tactics rather than collaboration.

This shift undermines trust in democratic processes. Losing gracefully is no longer the norm, harming dialogue and mutual respect.

Instead of cooperation, parties aim to destroy opponents' achievements, prioritizing wins over long-term democratic health.

Dangerous precedents emerge: power is something "to seize at all costs," eroding constitutional norms.

Consequently, dialogue—a vital democratic principle—is replaced by hostility, setting democracy on a perilous path.

If this adversarial trend continues unchallenged, the foundation of the republic could falter, threatening its very existence.

These developments call for renewed focus on bridging divides and recommitting to shared governance (Chapter 1).

Trump didn’t succeed in isolation—he was enabled by media, wealthy donors, and complicit political allies.

The conservative media amplified his agenda, while elites rationalized his actions to align with cultural grievances.

This complicity shielded Trump from accountability, allowing him to sidestep scrutiny and maintain support.

Ignoring controversies, Republican allies chose loyalty over morality, undermining democratic principles and public trust.

Frum argues this collaboration wasn't inevitable but stemmed from calculated acquiescence, worsening institutional decay.

These actors’ willingness to prioritize power over principles speaks to a broader cultural and political reckoning.

Combating future crises means recognizing networks of complicity and demanding accountability from leaders and institutions.

Reevaluating who wields influence is vital to preserving the integrity of democracy (Chapter 2).

State laws passed before the 2016 election systematically restricted voting, especially for minorities, impacting democratic participation.

Measures like voter ID laws and fewer early voting days targeted groups who traditionally faced more voting barriers.

An unprecedented drop in African American voter turnout from 2012 to 2016 coincided with these laws’ implementation.

Stricter rules were often justified on false claims of voter fraud, fostering resentment and mistrust in the system.

These actions reflected deeper anxieties over demographic shifts reshaping American politics and power dynamics.

Longer-term, disenfranchising marginalized voters creates lasting harm by weakening democratic legitimacy and fairness.

To safeguard democracy, reversing these tactics requires vigilance, advocacy, and reasserting voting rights protections.

Preserving equality at the polls is essential to addressing these systemic inequities (Chapter 9).

The Trump administration thrived on erratic decision-making and internal betrayal, fostering chaos at every level.

Loyalty was a one-way street, creating dysfunction as aides were publicly humiliated or challenged to defend contradictions.

This culture of betrayal destabilized governance, breeding toxic work environments that prioritized self-preservation over truth.

Frum highlights how this instability eroded public confidence, diminished professionalism, and undermined institutional integrity.

He contends that trust cannot thrive when leadership itself embodies unpredictability and self-serving tendencies.

Unchecked chaos sets harmful precedents. It weakens how future administrations perceive loyalty and accountability.

Restoring respect in federal governance begins with leaders who model consistency, competence, and moral clarity.

Frum's warning: an unstable executive branch risks delegitimizing leadership itself (Chapter 8).

In times of unrest, citizens must step up to safeguard democratic values and civic accountability.

Engage by calling lawmakers, staying informed, and participating in local elections or policy-making processes.

Empowering communities through activism, voter registration drives, and civic protests strengthens democratic resilience.

Being active counters political apathy, which often empowers corrupt leaders to thrive unchecked in the system.

A committed citizenry creates ripple effects that challenge authoritarianism while reclaiming collective power.

Active participation fosters trust, transparency, and equitable reforms, shaping a fairer future for generations.

Ignoring civic duties risks further polarization and weakened oversight against dangerous governance trends.

Act deliberately—democracy depends on those willing to protect and nurture it (Conclusion).

Trump’s strategy to vilify the press as “fake news” eroded public trust in critical journalism.

By reframing the media as adversaries, Trump cultivated a reality where only loyal outlets were deemed credible.

Rhetoric about media bias fueled broader calls for censorship, undermining freedom of expression and press independence.

Supporters gravitated toward manipulated narratives, fostering distrust in dissenting viewpoints or factual counterarguments.

This tactic weakened democracy by delegitimizing accountability mechanisms built into investigative journalism.

Unchecked, such erosion of truth breeds misinformation, disrupting informed democratic participation (Chapter 4).

Freedom of the press remains a cornerstone of healthy governance and must be championed amidst these growing threats.

Safeguarding open communication ensures citizens can discern credible information from propaganda (Chapter 5).

‘America First’ policies distanced allies, isolating the U.S. on the global stage under Trump’s presidency.

Frum argues that diplomacy built on divisive rhetoric weakened historic alliances, emboldening nondemocratic regimes.

Trust eroded as allies questioned American reliability, complicating cooperation in resolving international challenges.

Economic and security partnerships fractured, while authoritarian leaders exploited U.S. incoherence for their gain.

Frum emphasizes that consistent diplomacy based on mutual respect is key to reestablish global credibility.

He warns that the absence of trust limits the nation’s ability to project power and influence effectively long-term.

Rebuilding relationships must be prioritized to correct spiraling isolation and maintain global stability.

This leadership vacuum provides urgent opportunities to reassess America’s role in world affairs (Chapter 10).

In an era of blurred boundaries between public office and personal gain, ethical reforms must take precedence.

Pursue stricter ethical guidelines for politicians by enforcing disclosures, accountability, and public transparency measures.

Increase oversight to safeguard taxpayer funds and prevent misuse for private benefits, such as personal trips or ventures.

Reforming ethics ensures a healthy democracy by rebuilding public trust and clarifying the role of governance.

Clear ethical standards foster balanced accountability, eliminating impunity and raising leadership credibility overall.

Neglecting reform risks systemic erosion, setting dangerous norms impacting future administrations’ trustworthiness.

A rules-first focus empowers institutions while exposing corruption early for actionable resolution.

Redrawing the lines of acceptable conduct sets essential examples for democratic restoration (Chapter 6).