The reality is clear: An untold number of people have been living in fear since Jan. 20, when President Donald Trump was inaugurated and immediately began issuing sweeping executive orders targeting immigrants, trans people and refugees. The Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency continues to gut a broad swath of federally funded programs and agencies, including the public health, education, environmental protection, and arts and humanities sectors. Then there's Trump's global trade wars via tariffs that have sent global markets crashing. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it's unquestionable that America has hit an incredibly turbulent period.
In the past two-and-a-half months, keeping up with all the current administration's changes has been, to say the least, mentally draining. Yet there are people standing up and speaking out. Organized, peaceful protests are being held around the country with increasing frequency, as frustrated citizens take to the streets to demand accountability, change and protections for the nation's most vulnerable.
Even though the future is wildly uncertain, it's important to keep in mind that our country has weathered plenty of serious upheaval in its nearly 250-year history, and Americans are staunchly resilient. With that in mind, we sent our reporters to talk with local nonprofits, legal and academic experts, and other community members to find out how our community is responding to it all — finding much-needed glimmers of optimism as we weather this tumultuous time together.
— CHEY SCOTT, Inlander Editor
