As the adverse reality of Trump’s second administration looms, the path ahead for people of color and women alike is nothing short of daunting. Trump’s first term marked an erosion of democratic norms, yet this time, the stakes are significantly higher. The general public must prepare for a reality that could dramatically restrict space for dissent. 

For political and community organizers, however, this is more than just political opposition. It’s a battle for the soul of democracy, for the preservation of human rights and for a future grounded in community and care — an understanding that we should all adapt.

While the first Trump administration encountered significant checks and balances, a renewed term with a Republican trifecta — the White House, Senate and House of Representatives — would allow Trump to move swiftly, with next to no obstacles. Project 2025 provides a framework to consolidate executive power, reshape and gut federal agencies such as the Department of Education, and roll back hard-won protections for marginalized communities.

Daily headlines, sent straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest at and around USC.

Organizing holds little value without confronting the pervasive force of American individualism — the very foundation of Trump’s rise to power and a threat that could fracture the nation if left unchallenged. Our collective failure to mount an effective resistance against the far-right lies in a fundamental misunderstanding of the critical need for cross-issue solidarity. To counter this, we must move beyond the limitations of single-issue activism, forging a cohesive and expansive coalition that unites the causes of racial injustice, environmental preservation, labor empowerment and economic equity.

Movements for justice have long recognized that true power emerges from the ground up, built on the solidarity of communities standing together in the face of adversity. A renewed Trump administration would seek to dismantle progressive policies and leave marginalized communities to endure the harshest effects of these regressive shifts. Building strong networks of mutual aid not only resists authoritarian policies but also provide essential support for those most vulnerable.

Mutual aid can involve organizing food pantries, coordinating community gardens or setting up transportation networks for those without access to reliable transport. Mutual aid groups may also provide legal support, collect funds for medical expenses or create childcare co-ops to help parents navigate difficult circumstances. 

The key distinction from charity is that mutual aid operates on a model of reciprocity and equality. Everyone involved contributes to and benefits from the system, without the top-down structures that often come with traditional aid. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also builds long-term solidarity, creating networks of trust and cooperation that empower communities to act collectively and resiliently in the face of crisis.

One of the key components of community building through mutual aid is a focus on locality. Cities and municipality organizations can serve as sanctuaries for progressive ideals and as a buffer against harmful federal policies. Local organizers can create protective ordinances for immigrants, promote community-centered policing reforms and build local policies that prioritize the well-being of marginalized residents. 

Organizing locally isn’t just about survival; it’s about laying the groundwork for alternative forms of governance that defy federal overreach. Building power from the bottom up empowers communities to govern themselves. Through local activism, leftists can create tangible pockets of progress and resistance, providing people with the resources and support they need to thrive.

In the face of what is sure to be a harrowing and tumultuous period under a second Trump administration, it would be both naive and dismissive to ignore the harsh reality that this suffering is not a new phenomenon. 

History is steeped in centuries of systemic violence and oppression, where marginalized communities have long been forced to endure and resist the crushing weight of inequality, especially in United States history. The challenge we face today is not one of unprecedented hardship, but rather the continuation of a struggle that has spanned generations — a struggle that has seen countless individuals, despite unimaginable adversity, resist and endure.

The coming years may test our resolve like never before. Yet, it is crucial to recognize that the seeds of resistance, once planted, endure far beyond the moment of their sowing. The very actions that seem small today — organizing in our communities, seeking out knowledge, refusing to acquiesce to the dehumanizing systems of power — are the threads from which the future will be woven.