The defining feature of American life in 2026 is the impunity of elites. President Trump profits openly, Elon Musk manipulates markets, ICE agents act without consequence, and the Epstein class remains protected. The two-tier justice system has become untouchable because politicians have underinvested in accountability mechanisms, and the Roberts Court has gutted those that exist—most notably with its presidential immunity ruling. The powerful make the rules, so the rules don't apply to them.
But there's a political opportunity. Across parties, voters want real solutions to corruption that drives up costs and erodes freedoms. Leaders who deliver accountability can gain voters; those who don't will be seen as weak and feckless. To escape the corruption doom loop, the pro-democracy movement must finally deliver accountability—without Garland-style delays, without political prosecutions, but with legitimate, whole-of-society efforts.
Prosecution Is Necessary, But Not Sufficient
The next administration must prosecute serious crimes, from insider trading to violent acts by federal agents. Legal hurdles like immunity and pardon power are real but not insurmountable. A coalition that sues over the Kennedy Center but won't charge actual crimes isn't serious. Cases must be brought fairly and constitutionally, avoiding the mistakes of mass incarceration and weaponized justice. Local prosecutors like Mary Moriarty in Minneapolis are already showing how—bringing by-the-book cases against ICE agents.
However, lasting change requires distributing power, not concentrating it in law enforcement. It also means forgiveness and reconciliation for those who earn it, including disillusioned MAGA supporters. Illinois has set an example with a commission to document ICE overreach, employing investigators and former prosecutors, and passing laws to ban ICE masks and allow lawsuits against rogue federal agents. Every pro-democracy state should replicate this, signaling that accountability is coming before 2029. A future pro-democracy president can then use federal enforcement to tackle public corruption and corporate power.
Congress Must Step Up
Congress has a crucial role. If Democrats win either chamber, or if Republicans distance from Trump, they must not just hold oversight hearings but strengthen their own powers—including enforcing contempt of Congress when officials defy subpoenas. Congress can package oversight findings for federal enforcement and cooperate with state and local partners, non-profits, and ethics watchdogs.
Congress should also reempower citizens to challenge the government directly. The Supreme Court has made civil rights cases nearly impossible with invented doctrines and immunities that protect elites. Congress can fix that, and even before the Roberts Court—which faces its own corruption crisis—overturns reforms, it has the power to prevent that.
The menu of options is lengthy, but the vibe shift is critical. The 2024 election proved that policy wins alone didn't stop fascism; shortchanging accountability led to our current nightmare. We can't just move past this unpleasantness—it will return unless we make accountability mean something again. As GOP senators worry about midterm fallout, the stakes are clear. The pro-democracy movement must act now, or face the consequences.
