Seven years after a pivotal Facebook post, Heather Cox Richardson reflects on the enduring threat of authoritarianism in the U.S. government, particularly under Trump’s leadership. She highlights a key incident where the acting director of national intelligence ignored a credible whistleblower complaint, violating legal protocol and raising concerns about cover-ups. This action, she notes, is part of a broader pattern of power consolidation, judicial stacking, and obstruction of investigations—actions that signal a shift toward authoritarian rule. Richardson emphasizes that such developments are not isolated but are being enabled by partisan leadership, especially in the Senate, which supports the executive branch’s expansion of power. Despite the challenges and exhaustion of the journey, she celebrates the resilience of American democracy, noting that citizens across political lines have rallied to defend democratic values. The core message is clear: true progress lies in self-determination, fact-based discourse, and collective civic action. Richardson credits the public’s participation—through comments, protests, and shared ideas—as vital to preserving democracy. Her ongoing writings, “Letters from an American,” serve both as a personal reflection and a conduit for the voices of millions committed to a more inclusive, equitable, and just nation. The journey has been wild, demanding, and exhausting, yet also deeply empowering, affirming that democracy is not passive but actively sustained through courage, awareness, and mutual support.
(upbeat music) September 15th, 2026. Seven years ago, on September 15th, 2019, after about a six week hiatus during the summer, I wrote a Facebook post that started. Many thanks to all of you who have reached out to see if I'm okay. I am indeed, aside from having been on the losing end of an encounter with a yellow jacket this afternoon. I've been moving, setting up house and finishing the new book, and back and ready to write. But now everything seems like such a dumpster fire. It's very hard to know where to start. So how about a general overview of how things at the White House look to me today? I wrote a review of Trump's apparent mental decline amidst his faltering presidency, stonewalling of investigations of potential criminal activity by him or his associates, stacking of the courts, and attempting to use the power of the government to help his 2020 reelection. Then I noted that the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat of California, had written a letter to the Acting Director of National Intelligence, Joseph McGuire. On Friday, September 13th, telling McGuire, he knew that a whistleblower had filed a complaint with the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, who had deemed the complaint credible and urgent. This meant that the complaint was supposed to be sent to the House Intelligence Committee. But rather than sending it to the House, as the law required, McGuire had withheld it. Schiff's letter told McGuire that he'd better hand it over. Schiff speculated that McGuire was covering up evidence of crimes by the president or his closest advisors. And I added, none of this would fly in America if the Senate, controlled by majority leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, were not aiding and abetting him. This is the story of a dictator on the rise, I wrote, taking control of formerly independent branches of government and using the power of his office to amass power. Readers swamped me with questions, so I wrote another post answering them and trying to explain the news, which began breaking at a breathtaking pace. And so these letters from an American were born. Seven years later, we are approaching the midpoint of Trump's second term. And the patterns I saw seven years ago are slicing to the heart of both the mechanics and the soul of the United States. In that first letter, where I warned of rising authoritarianism, I wrote, "So what do those of us who love American democracy do? Make noise, take up oxygen, defend what is great about this nation, its people, and their willingness to innovate, work, and protect each other." Making America great has never been about hatred or destruction or the aggregation of wealth at the very top. It has always been about building good lives for everyone on the principle of self-determination. While we have never been perfect, our democracy is a far better option than the autocratic oligarchy Trump is imposing on us. And we have made noise, and we have taken up oxygen. All across the country, people have stepped up to defend our democracy from those who are open about their plans to destroy it and install a dictator. Democrats and Republicans, as well as people previously unaligned, we have reiterated why democracy matters. If you were tired from the last seven years, you have earned the right to be. And yet, you are still here, reading, commenting, protesting, articulating a new future for the nation, and I am proud to be among you. I write these letters because I love America. I am staunchly committed to the principle of human self-determination for people of all races, genders, abilities, and ethnicities. The idea that we all have the right to work to become whatever we wish. I believe that American democracy has the potential to be the form of government that comes closest to bringing that principle to reality. And I know that achieving that equality depends on a government shaped by fact-based debate, rather than by extremist ideology and false narratives. And so I write. I have come to understand that I am simply the translator for the sentiments shared by millions of people who are finding each other and giving voice to the principles of democracy. Your steadfast interest, curiosity, critical thinking, and especially your kindness to me and to one another. Illustrate that we have not only the power, but also the passion to reinvent our nation. To those who read these letters, send tips, proofread, criticize, comment, argue, worry, cheer, award medals, and support me and one another. I thank you for bringing me along on this wild, unexpected, exhausting, and exhilarating journey. Letters from an American was written and read by Heather Cox Richardson. It was produced at Soundscape Productions, "Dead of Massachusetts," recorded with music composed by Michael Moss. [BLANK_AUDIO]
Podcast Summary
Key Points:
Seven years after a Facebook post warning of authoritarian tendencies in Trump’s presidency, the patterns described remain central to the current state of U.S. governance.
The House Intelligence Committee chair, Adam Schiff, exposed a violation of protocol when the National Intelligence Director withheld a whistleblower complaint deemed credible and urgent.
The author argues that rising authoritarianism, supported by partisan manipulation and institutional erosion, threatens American democracy, while civic engagement and defense of self-determination offer a path forward.
Summary:
S. government, particularly under Trump’s leadership. She highlights a key incident where the acting director of national intelligence ignored a credible whistleblower complaint, violating legal protocol and raising concerns about cover-ups.
This action, she notes, is part of a broader pattern of power consolidation, judicial stacking, and obstruction of investigations—actions that signal a shift toward authoritarian rule. Richardson emphasizes that such developments are not isolated but are being enabled by partisan leadership, especially in the Senate, which supports the executive branch’s expansion of power. Despite the challenges and exhaustion of the journey, she celebrates the resilience of American democracy, noting that citizens across political lines have rallied to defend democratic values.
The core message is clear: true progress lies in self-determination, fact-based discourse, and collective civic action. Richardson credits the public’s participation—through comments, protests, and shared ideas—as vital to preserving democracy. Her ongoing writings, “Letters from an American,” serve both as a personal reflection and a conduit for the voices of millions committed to a more inclusive, equitable, and just nation.
The journey has been wild, demanding, and exhausting, yet also deeply empowering, affirming that democracy is not passive but actively sustained through courage, awareness, and mutual support.
FAQs
The post warned about rising authoritarianism in the U.S., specifically citing Trump's mental decline, obstruction of investigations, court stacking, and attempts to use government power to aid his 2020 re-election.
Schiff wrote to urge McGuire to deliver a whistleblower complaint to the House Intelligence Committee, as required by law, and suspected that McGuire was withholding it to cover up potential criminal activity.
The author sees a growing threat of authoritarianism, with Trump using power to undermine independent institutions, and emphasizes that democracy is still strong due to public resistance and commitment to self-determination.
It symbolizes active civic engagement—protesting, discussing, and defending democratic values—showing that citizens are standing up against authoritarian threats and shaping a better future.
The core of American democracy is self-determination for all people, and it must be protected through fact-based debate, critical thinking, and collective action to resist authoritarianism.
Heather Cox Richardson, a political analyst and writer, who shares her observations and insights on American democracy and political trends.
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