Trump's Bleak Legacy Offers Rare Opportunity for Renewal

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In a personal essay, former Labor Secretary Robert Reich describes encountering a distraught stranger on the street who burst into tears, representing the grief and anguish many feel over the damage done to America during the Trump presidency. Reich acknowledges the pain of seeing families torn apart by ICE, children imprisoned, the planet endangered, and common decency demolished. But he argues this bleak era also presents an opportunity to reimagine the country, stop self-dealing and crony capitalism, and rededicate the nation to the values of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and civil rights leaders.

Why it matters

The Trump presidency was a dark and divisive chapter in American history, but Reich believes the trauma it caused can be channeled into a renewed commitment to democracy, equality, and the rule of law. By learning from the mistakes of the past, the next generation can work to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable future.

The details

In his essay, Reich describes encountering a distraught stranger on the street who burst into tears, seemingly wanting to share something with him about the state of the country under Trump. Reich says he felt awful but didn't know what to say, as the woman disappeared. He goes on to list the many reasons people are weeping these days - from families torn apart by ICE to the planet being destroyed by Trump's climate policies. But Reich argues this bleak era also presents an opportunity to reimagine America, stop the self-dealing and crony capitalism that led to this point, and rededicate the nation to the values enshrined in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the words of civil rights leaders.

• The essay was published on February 10, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The essay does not mention any specific next steps, as it is focused on reflecting on the Trump era and the opportunities it presents for renewal.