Donald Trump’s second term has been marked by a series of extraordinary and controversial moves that have left the nation’s democratic institutions under strain and sparked a groundswell of opposition across the country. In recent weeks, the former president has ramped up his use of executive power, targeting political adversaries, deploying federal forces to American cities, and facing a mounting wave of legal challenges and public protests. The events of early October 2025 encapsulate the high-stakes battle now raging between Trump’s administration and defenders of the rule of law.
According to Publisher's Roundup, Trump has increasingly relied on extraordinary powers—pressuring allies to prosecute perceived enemies and using the National Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to suppress peaceful demonstrations. These actions, the publication argues, are not signs of strength, but of deep insecurity and mounting weakness. “Trump’s abuse of power is a sign of his insecurity and weakness, and it is setting up massive, peaceful, lawful opposition,” the article contends.
The legal front has been especially active. Over 150 court cases have been filed as part of democracy litigation efforts against Trump’s administration, with several recent victories for opponents. As reported by The Atlantic, this wave of litigation has become “the anti-Trump strategy that’s actually working.” In particular, Trump’s push to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James on what critics call “unmerited charges” has drawn national attention. This follows the similarly controversial indictment of former FBI Director James Comey just a week earlier. Legal experts, including Richard Painter and Virginia Canter, have already filed multiple ethics complaints against the administration, and more may be on the way.
Meanwhile, Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and ICE agents has faced fierce resistance. In Chicago, at least three court orders have halted aspects of the administration’s activities in the city, as reported in early October 2025. Federal Judge Karin Immergut temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Oregon, warning that the administration’s arguments “risk blurring the line between civil and military federal power—to the detriment of this nation,” according to Zeteo. When the Trump administration attempted to send hundreds of National Guard troops from California and Texas to Oregon and Chicago, Judge Immergut broadened her order, stating the effort was “in direct contravention” of her decision.
These legal setbacks have been accompanied by a collapse in Trump’s popularity. As Publisher's Roundup notes, “Trump is at historic lows in popularity at this early point in his term.” The American public, by and large, disapproves of the prosecution of Trump’s opponents, the aggressive use of federal forces, and the chaos that has come to define his administration. The electoral consequences have been dire for Trump’s party: Democrats have won or outperformed in 42 of 43 elections held in 2025, signaling a potential sea change in the political landscape.
Public protest has surged to levels not seen in decades. The No Kings protests, which first swept the nation in June 2025 in response to Trump’s military deployments in Los Angeles, are set for a second coast-to-coast iteration on October 18. With planned National Guard deployments in Portland and Chicago, and a recent deployment in Memphis, millions of Americans are expected to take to the streets. Political scientist Erica Chenoweth’s research suggests that when 3.5% of the population stands against a tyrannical regime, it cannot continue—a threshold that activists believe is within reach.
Press freedom has also come under intense pressure. Both independent and mainstream media have become more outspoken in their criticism of the administration. The New York Times ran a headline reading, “Letitia James Indicted After Trump’s Pressure Campaign,” signaling a break from its traditional neutrality. Meanwhile, journalists and civil society groups in Chicago have sued the Trump administration, alleging a “pattern of extreme brutality” by federal agents at protests, aimed at silencing both the press and civilians. A federal judge recently issued a 14-day order prohibiting federal agents from using physical force or arresting journalists in Chicago without probable cause, and restricting the use of riot control weapons.
Political leadership, particularly among Democrats, has become more unified in opposition to Trump’s authoritarian tactics. State attorneys general, governors, and national party leaders have coalesced to resist efforts to strip health care from millions and oppose government shutdowns. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have been credited with winning the messaging war during the ongoing government shutdown, making clear that Democratic votes would not be used to undermine essential services.
Yet, the administration’s aggressive posture persists. On social media, Trump has called for the removal and even jailing of political opponents, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Pritzker fired back, calling Trump “unhinged,” “insecure,” and a “wannabe dictator,” and declared, “If you come for my people, you come through me. So come and get me.”
Trump’s foreign and domestic policy moves have also drawn scrutiny. Despite claiming credit for a ceasefire in Gaza and angling for a Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian committee passed him over in 2025—a development that set off a storm among his supporters. Meanwhile, the administration has conducted strikes on alleged drug boats in international waters, with legal experts warning that the Department of Justice’s classified opinions grant the president “such extraordinary powers that he alone can decide to prosecute a war far broader than what Congress authorized after the attacks on 9/11,” according to CNN.
On the immigration front, ICE raids and National Guard deployments have sparked outrage and further litigation. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order barring federal immigration agents from using city property, stating, “We will not tolerate ICE agents violating our residents’ constitutional rights nor will we allow the federal government to disregard our local authority.” Anti-ICE protests have erupted in Chicago, Portland, and other cities, as activists decry what they see as unconstitutional crackdowns on ordinary Americans.
Within the federal government, the Trump administration has initiated mass firings, with Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announcing that “Reduction in Force” notices have gone out, though it remains unclear which agencies are affected. The government shutdown has exposed further fault lines, as the administration considers withholding back pay from some furloughed federal workers—a move not seen since the 1960s.
Against this backdrop, the fate of American democracy hangs in the balance. While the damage wrought by Trump’s policies—both at home and abroad—is undeniable, the resilience of legal institutions, the press, political leaders, and ordinary citizens has become a defining feature of this tumultuous era. As the nation braces for the next wave of protests and legal battles, one thing is clear: the struggle for the soul of American democracy is far from over.
