Truthout (January 24, 2026)

01/30/2026

The year has been devastating. But the power of ordinary people has begun to turn things around, and MAGA is fracturing and flailing. 2026 has the potential to be the year the strength of the resistance becomes unstoppable, building on the uprisings that blossomed during the first year of Trump 2.0 — or it could be the year that authoritarianism is fully entrenched in the United States. The choices millions of Americans will make in the coming months will make the difference.

Building Power to Win Year Two

Trump’s approval rating remains low; 56 disapprove of his performance in office. According to a recent New York Times poll, 55 percent believe his first year in office was unsuccessful.

These are dangerous times. The president has shown that he will commit illegal and violent acts to retain power. And with Congress insisting on the release of the Epstein files, we’ve seen him threatening to go to war with multiple countries and prosecuting those with the courage to cross him. He fears impeachment or worse should Republican lose the midterm elections, and as his fear increases, there’s greater potential for unhinged action. The danger is real, but we should understand this moment for what it is — a time of MAGA weakness.

This does not mean complacency. In 2026, we the people can build power and we can win significant victories if we:

• Show up for the most vulnerable in the face of federal government attacks and neglect;
• Push back on racism and misogyny, and support inclusivity;
• Call on Congress to defund ICE, and to stand up for immigrants, environmental protection, diplomacy rather than war, and the rule of law;
• Run bold, progressive candidates for election and launch primary challenges against incumbents who fail to stand up to MAGA;
• Organize in neighborhoods and workplaces; boycott companies that violate human rights; prioritize mutual aid and building power;
• Press state and local governments to stand up to Trump administration overreach;
• And, challenge economic and political systems that create extreme inequality of wealth and power.

In spite of the aggression and bluster from the top, people, organizing together, have achieved real successes. If we focus only on wrongdoing, our energy will fail us. The truth is, there is much to celebrate, and the hard work of people at the grassroots deserves credit.

The wins from the first year of Trump’s second term offer a road map for the coming year. That means deepening and connecting people power, not only as acts of resistance but as the foundation for the just, sustainable, and democratic future we deserve. Especially in these dangerous times, we need to keep showing up for each other and building the communities and the power that can change everything.