Episode 05: The Rollback of Civil Rights & The Rise of Political Policing

This episode of Surviving Trump explores two deeply unsettling shifts in American democracy:

• Pillar 7: Civil Rights – The Rollback of Civil Liberties
• Pillar 8: The Politicization of Law Enforcement & the Military

With sweeping executive orders, Trump’s administration is dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, reversing decades of civil rights protections, and reshaping the justice system to serve political interests. These moves threaten equal opportunity, limit access to education, and push law enforcement toward authoritarian control.

We’ll break down the major changes, discuss the consequences for everyday Americans, and hear from The Blue Choir, a panel of engaged citizens weighing in on what worries them most.

The Blue Choir Speaks: What Concerns Them Most?

• Lisa: “Civil rights worry me the most. We are going backwards instead of forwards. Dr. King fought for these rights, and now we’re back to square one.”
• Ed: “An impartial military and law enforcement are necessary to protect our freedoms. Trump seeks to politicize them all.”
• Sue: “If Trump makes himself above the law, everything else crumbles—elections, free speech, all of it.”

Next Episodes 

• Episode 6:
  • Trump’s administration is executing one of the most radical immigration crackdowns in American history. The plan includes mass deportations, the militarization of the border, and efforts to dismantle key protections for vulnerable populations. At the same time, Trump’s second term is defined by state-sponsored disinformation—a calculated effort to blur the lines between fact and fiction. From purging government transparency measures to manipulating social media and weaponizing conspiracy theories, Trump is flooding the zone with falsehoods to erode trust in democracy.
• Episode 7:
  • Trump's Psychological Profile – His mental disorders, psychopathy, and cognitive decline.

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Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

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