This is not a sprint
The next four years require a heavy dose of Stoicism
Donald Trump’s presidency began with a flurry of executive orders and divisive rhetoric, leaving many Americans feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. In turbulent times like these, Stoicism offers guidance by emphasizing control over one’s actions, viewing adversity as an opportunity for growth, and finding strength through resilience, virtue, and community.
WASHINGTON—With the unmistakable and seemingly unstoppable squeak of a Sharpie, his writing instrument of choice, Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders within the first days of his presidency. He also made quite a few outrageous statements on just about every subject, from immigration to the federal workforce. It was the kind of shock and awe his team had been preparing for and promising for years, and, let’s be honest, it was exhausting.
“I call it the “firehose effect,” wrote
last week on Substack. “It’s designed to overwhelm, thus lessening the impact of every far-right agenda item. The idea is that by swamping us, we won’t be able to keep up, and so we stop trying.”And boy, did it work. Like moths to a flame, many on the left and in the media immediately switched into 2017 mode, decrying every word out of the president’s mouth and every printed proclamation, many of which amounted to hyperbolic blusters or glorified press releases.
, for example, wrote this week on Substack, “The incompetent geriatric dictator wannabe has hit the ground running and is on track to break Adolph Hitler’s record of 53 days to end Democracy in America in just two weeks.”Despite the hyperbole, Trump and his supporters are making good on some of their promises, and more than an handful are very concerning. However, how Americans react and respond over these four years will largely dictate how his lame-duck presidency will play out and how the country and its people will fare. History offers some lessons on how to get through this
A New Direction
Each new presidential administration brings with it change, and this one is no different, despite the shift in tactics and apparent attacks on institutions.
There were broadsides against the Republic in his first week’s blitzkrieg, including the call to end birthright citizenship, which is enshrined in the Constitution. However, a federal judge put that order on hold within three days, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.” Judge John Coughenour, a Reagan appointee, said, “I have been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case where the question presented was as clear.”
Changes to the federal workforce, which are having the greatest immediate impact here in Washington, have some in our civil service fearing for their jobs. This is especially true for those attached to so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, which were a hallmark of the Biden administration and are being scuttled under Trump. Over the past week, I spoke with a number of these workers who shared that fear had taken hold in their agencies. Some reported co-workers breaking down into tears.
And, of course, there’s a new, more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, with raids being carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, across American cities. Federal immigration authorities arrested at least one U.S. citizen and a military veteran during a raid inside a New Jersey fish market last week, according to city and state officials. Deportations began in earnest, with repatriation flights happening to Latin American countries such as Guatemala and Colombia. Immigrant communities are understandably on edge, as is the nation, as thousands of migrant farm workers did not show up to work, halting harvests.
The imagery released by the Trump administration to the media reads like reality television, including a guest spot at an ICE raid with Dr. Phil. It’s a genre the president knows all too well and manages to bend to his will. So, while it’s perfectly normal to be concerned about a rerun of Trump’s first administration, to feel unmoored and, yes, a bit scared by what he’s doing, it’s important to remember that the only way out of this is through. There’s only so much that we can control.
Embracing Stoicism
The Stoics of the ancient world understood that it was essential to focus individual energy in the right places in times of disruption like this. Stoic philosophy was born during periods of turmoil, often under oppressive regimes. Notable Stoics, such as Epictetus, a former slave, and Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor, applied these principles to navigate vastly different but challenging circumstances. Their teachings, rooted in self-mastery and acceptance, remain more relevant today than ever.
Born into slavery, Epictetus became one of Stoicism’s most influential teachers. His teachings, recorded in the Enchiridion, emphasize the importance of distinguishing between what we can and cannot control. "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters," he said, empowering his students to find inner freedom, even in the face of external oppression. Epictetus also encouraged his followers to embrace discomfort as a path to growth. "No man is free who is not master of himself," he taught, demonstrating that true resilience comes from within.
Marcus Aurelius, who ruled during times of war and plague, left behind a personal journal, Meditations, in which he wrote, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." He also practiced amor fati—the love of fate, believing every challenge was an opportunity to grow, writing, "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way."
Stoicism emphasizes living with virtue, particularly justice, courage, and wisdom. Even in oppressive circumstances, it calls for individuals to act justly within their sphere of influence, no matter how small that may be. Quiet acts of resistance, helping others, and standing up for truth, especially in a sea of misinformation and disinformation, are meaningful expressions of justice and courage. At the same time, Stoicism recognizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of supporting one another. By building communities grounded in shared values, individuals can find strength, resist isolation, and sustain their moral commitments through solidarity and collective purpose.
The Stoics remind us that the greatest power lies within ourselves, even in these trying times.
These are really important reminders to all of us. We all need to do whatever we can to get through these next 4 years.
I agree. Thank you for these inspiring words. I used to listen to Ryan Holiday on Spotify, who did podcasts about the Stoics during lockdown. I think the time has come to revisit those messages.