Michael Steele, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), has delivered a scathing assessment of Donald Trump's first year back in office, arguing that America's core institutions surrendered to the president's bullying tactics with alarming rapidity.
The Speed of the Capitulation
Steele, who became the RNC's first Black chair in 2009, stated that while Trump's authoritarian assault on constitutional norms was anticipated, the swift collapse of resistance from prestigious law firms, universities, and media companies was not. "The only thing that would be surprising is the speed with which institutions collapsed," Steele remarked in a recent interview. He expressed particular disappointment at the lack of pushback from legal and academic circles.
He attributed the swift surrender to an "everything-everywhere-all-at-once" strategy from the Trump administration that overwhelmed standard processes. "It was easier to collapse and give in than to stand and resist," Steele observed, noting that the few institutions which held firm proved that resistance was the better long-term strategy.
Targeting Law Firms and Universities
The administration applied intense pressure on key sectors. Law firms that opposed Trump's policies or were involved in probes related to the 2016 election faced threats including revoked security clearances and terminated government contracts. This led many to settle by providing pro bono legal services aligned with the White House's agenda.
Elite universities were hit with funding freezes totalling more than $5bn in federal grants and contracts, often linked to investigations into campus policies. Most negotiated settlements involving policy changes to restore funding, with Harvard being a notable exception.
"Once you beholden yourself to a bully, you will always be bullied," Steele commented. "Literally within six months of taking the oath of office, Donald Trump had pretty much slapped the crap out of everything and everyone he could and instead of fighting back they cowered in a corner."
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Midterms
Despite some signs of pushback, such as the 'No Kings' protests and Disney's reinstatement of host Jimmy Kimmel, Steele warns that Trump's allies like Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller are eager to maintain momentum even if the 79-year-old president slows down.
Steele, who voted for Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris but remains a Republican, believes the coming political cycle will be defined by accountability. He argues that Democrats, independents, and like-minded Republicans must be prepared to hold Trump's enablers to account once he leaves office.
"It's not impeachment of the president, because we've done that twice and failed," he said. "But individuals in their capacities as secretaries and administrators and directors and advisers can be held accountable and must be held accountable."
Pointing to Democratic successes in the 2025 New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races and California's Proposition 50, Steele sees a voter appetite for a check on Trump's power. He predicts Democrats could gain 30 to 35 seats in the November House midterms, drawing parallels to the political landscape of 2010.
"A lot more Americans are going to align themselves with demanding some level of accountability," Steele concluded, framing the 2026 elections as a pivotal moment for the nation's democratic institutions.
