To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes We Are Not as Bloodthirsty as Stephen Miller Wants Us to Be
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Dec 13, 2025 
David French, a New York Times opinion columnist and astute voice on conservative politics, debates the moral fabric of America post-Trump. He argues against Stephen Miller's bleak view, insisting a conscience can be awakened. French discusses the significance of Indiana's Senate defying Trump on redistricting, the risks of aggressive gerrymandering, and how punitive tactics have shifted in U.S. politics. They also analyze Trump's contrasting personas, harsh immigration policies, and the precarious state of accountability in Congress.
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Collective Defiance Beat Intimidation
- The Indiana GOP senators collectively rejected Trump's redistricting demands despite intense intimidation and threats.
- Collective defiance weakened expected presidential control and suggests organized resistance can succeed.
A New Vibe Shift Toward Coarseness
- A new vibe shift emerged where right-wing intolerance replaced left-wing cancel culture, centered in the Oval Office.
- Many 2024 voters backed policy concerns, not the administration's harsher tactics, producing growing unease.
Rally Style Governing Hurts Popular Support
- Trump governs as "rally Trump," not "commercial Trump," delivering harsher policies than many general-election voters expected.
- This mismatch is driving his declining approval as voters realize governing differs from campaign ads.
