American democracy has faced significant challenges in recent years, with increasing public dissatisfaction and concerns about democratic erosion, particularly since President Donald Trump’s tenure. According to Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, the nation’s democratic system was struggling well before the Trump administration, with many citizens perceiving a lack of meaningful opportunity and representation.
Legal challenges have played a key role in countering several controversial policies advanced during the Trump presidency. Courts have intervened in cases involving attempts to establish a $1.8 billion fund labeled as “anti-weaponization,” policies perceived as threatening the First Amendment, and immigration measures criticized as harsh or racially discriminatory. While the judiciary has faced pressures and setbacks, it has at times successfully halted efforts seen as undermining constitutional protections.
Despite these legal victories, Perryman cautions against relying solely on institutional checks or anticipated electoral outcomes to safeguard democracy. She argues that waiting for a political savior or a single moment of transformative change risks complacency and ignores the essential role of individual and collective civic engagement. According to her, no one institution can single-handedly prevent democratic backsliding, nor can voters assume that a shift in congressional power alone will restore democratic norms.
Perryman emphasizes the need for Americans, particularly those in relatively secure positions, to actively participate beyond consuming political news or engaging digitally. She advocates for grassroots involvement such as organizing community groups, volunteering at polling stations, and participating in local civic activities as crucial steps to strengthen democratic foundations.
Drawing on the observations of philosopher Richard Rorty, she highlights the historical significance of grassroots activism in achieving social progress. Early 20th-century reform movements—focused on labor rights, civil rights, and women's suffrage—were propelled by ordinary citizens engaging directly to demand change rather than relying on political elites or institutions alone. Rorty warned decades ago that without such sustained popular action, disillusionment could fuel the rise of authoritarian populist figures capable of dismantling democratic safeguards.
Perryman also notes recent examples of citizen-led efforts responding to perceived governmental overreach and threats to democratic principles. In Minnesota, individuals rallied against aggressive immigration enforcement. Nationwide, peaceful protests such as the No Kings demonstrations drew large, diverse crowds defending democratic values. Following the Supreme Court’s weakening of a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, Americans participated in marches evoking historic civil rights struggles in Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. Religious groups have pursued legal remedies to counter intimidating immigration tactics, and local officials alongside healthcare providers have challenged policies threatening medical access and affordability. Moreover, strong voter turnout in recent elections has countered efforts seen as partisan gerrymandering or voter suppression.
Perryman contends that these examples illustrate the power and responsibility of citizens to shape democracy’s future. She urges Americans not to await heroic political figures but to engage actively and persistently in democratic processes to address current challenges, asserting that the preservation and renewal of American democracy ultimately depend on the people themselves.