(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
I, along with millions of others in the United States, faced January 2025 with dread, knowing that Donald Trump would be inaugurated on January 20th. Many of us had read Project 2025 and feared what he would do once back in office.
The reality was worse than the fears had been.
The level of corruption, lawlessness, and unethical behavior has been staggering, as has the complicity, cooperation, and feigned ignorance of many big corporations, media, Republicans, and the majority of the Supreme Court.
Still, I am more hopeful in January 2026 than I was last year.
Many judges in the lower courts are ruling against the administration’s power grabs. A scattering of Congressional Republicans are joining with Democrats to oppose some of Trump’s wishes. Lawyers are stepping up to defend people harmed by Trump’s actions. Some in the media are standing firm for speaking the truth and investigating what Trump wants to hide. Some in academia, medicine, economics, law, and other fields are loudly spreading the truth.
What gives me the most hope, though, are the millions of Americans taking action in defense of our democratic values of equality, decency, and fairness. Many have attended protests, both large and small, in 2025 and plan to continue in 2026. We write and call our representatives with our views. We try to protect those being persecuted or marginalized. We feed the hungry. We look out for public health.
We speak the truth and demonstrate our love for our country.
It’s not that I expect 2026 to be any easier under this president, but I know that even more people will speak out and we will begin to reverse the damage Trump and his many minions are doing to our nation.
Deep breath.
Let’s go!

This post is part of Linda’s Just Jot It January. Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/02/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-2nd-2026/

I’m definitely more hopeful this January than I was last January, and may action bring about positive change.
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Yes! I know you have been working steadily on all levels of government to preserve democracy and serve the people. Thank you!
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I have hope and am actively working on making our country safe and well again
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Thanks so much, Beth!
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I focus on the brightness and groundswell of good people doing just as you’ve described here. But I’m also commenting on Jan 3rd, so am considering the need for a bomb shelter.
Congress needs to step up, too. 😟
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I hear you, Liz. I’ve written a number of posts calling out Congress for not doing their job, as well as DT and the executive branch. And I’m about to launch into writing a post about the horror of yesterday. It was bizarre watching Maduro arrive at Stewart, an airport that we used last June to fly to the UK via Iceland.
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