The Country at a Crossroads

: Jamie Stiehm on Feb 11, 2026

There are no innocent bystanders in Donald Trump's America.

Seeing what we've seen lately -- blood spilled in snow, and a vile post depicting a former president and first lady as apes in a jungle -- MAGA world has moral choices to make.

This is a moment of truth for each of you. Do you approve of federal agents out on city streets Trump hates (because they're blue)?

Are you OK with blood-curdling racism on the order of the Ku Klux Klan from the president? His father, Fred, was once arrested at a Klan rally.

I ask because Trump will never stop his rampages against Blacks, women, the press, Democrats and democracy -- he doesn't even know the meaning of the word -- itself.

Where's Henry VIII when we need a Reformation?

Trump makes no secret of his plan to steal the 2026 midterms, knowing he'd lose a free and fair election. Then his third impeachment would follow, as night does day.

Speaking of stealing elections, how 'bout that scheme to send thousands of supporters to storm the sacred Capitol? Inside, it felt like Roman soldiers tearing down the temple in Jerusalem.

So lines are drawn, not just by political party but by human decency. Those who still tolerate Trump's vanity (naming buildings after himself) and violence are beyond hope.

Finally, the meek are fighting mad after the icy abuse and brave resistance we witnessed in Minneapolis. They showed the rest of us the way.

This I can tell you for sure: An awakening is happening, coast to coast, that we can win the war within if we try.

For here are the stakes. Every president affects and shapes America's psyche, for better or worse.

Do we wish to become a nation of haters just like Trump? Posting insults, lies and memes at all hours could not be less presidential.

The White House is where great souls Abraham Lincoln and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt dwelled to save the nation in times of crisis.

Mrs. Roosevelt wrote wisely in 1936, "We cannot afford to let any group of our citizens feel that there are no safeguards for them, that the law is not equal for all." That was 90 years ago.

Now what?

In a year, Trump transformed the nation's image into a mirror of his depraved mind at home, making the nation's halves hate each other.

He disinvited Democrats to the White House meeting for all governors. That ain't America.

Abroad, he tragically turned us into a hostile global power, intent on illegal seizures and breaking trust with allies. He actually accuses them of "ripping us off."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio turned an especially evil courtier in cutting humanitarian aid around the world.

The entire Cabinet is "central casting" for Trump's nefarious ends, like ruining public health, the justice department, arms treaties, the food we buy, the air we breathe and the water we drink. He put the federal government on the chopping block and cut 300,000 heads. All sectors of public service, including universities, museums and parks, are prey to his angry whims.

For young people in this era, Trump models how to revenge the slightest slight and how to make the presidency a billion-dollar business. He never fights fair, nor apologizes -- not even for the sordid jungle post.

He'll leave serious scars on the national memory.

Trump's party quakes in their boots at his threats. One can only hope Senate Republican Leader John Thune is an honorable man.

Let me share what the Rev. Jesse Jackson told me at a breakfast after I gave a talk on the morning of the Women's March in 2017.

This was the day after Trump was sworn in the first time and gave his "American carnage" speech.

In all seriousness, Jackson said Trump and his circle were "Confederates." They would sunder democracy's bonds and tear the country in two.

I remember that knell so well.

Jackson, a son of the South, knew what he was talking about.

Don't let fear silence you, my friends. Even Barack Obama might let loose his mighty words on Trump's trash.

It's time now to say with sorrow that the president is an amazing disgrace for all Americans.

========

The author may be reached at JamieStiehm.com. To find out more about Jamie Stiehm and other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, please visit creators.com.

----