The foundational question for any conservative movement is always the same: What, exactly, are we trying to conserve?
At its best, American conservatism has sought to conserve what it sees as the founders’ vision: small government, individual liberty, rule of law and a wary skepticism about man’s grander imaginings.
But as the early days of the second Trump administration have reminded us, there’s another, darker strain of American conservatism — one that seeks to conserve not the Enlightenment ideals of the founders, but the more ancient human traditions of tribalism, ignorance, unreason and misrule.
For those who have forgotten, or never knew, what that earlier, better version of America sounded like before conservatism descended into Trumpism, recall the “shining city on a hill” phrase first invoked by 17th century Massachusetts Gov. John Winthrop. In 1961, John F. Kennedy used it. And when conservative Ronald Reagan was leaving office in 1989, he shared how he imagined America in a similar way:
“In my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans: wind-swept, God-blessed and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity,” Reagan said. “And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. … After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow has held steady no matter what storm. And she’s still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home.”
And here’s Trump’s contrasting, negative vision — America as a city at war with itself:
“We pledge to you that we will root out the Communists, Marxists, Fascists and Radical Left Thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our Country, lie, steal and cheat on Elections, and will do anything possible, whether legally or illegally, to destroy America and the American Dream,” Trump said in November 2023. “The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous and grave, than the threat from within.”
These two versions of American conservatism aren’t just different at the margins — they’re mutually exclusive. As Trump has demonstrated with one reckless and radical executive action after another, he means to impose his version on the country and the world. And the consequences — and decency — be damned. From Ukraine to civil rights to mass firings across the federal government, it’s nothing but rage and retribution and might-makes-right all the way down.
All of this leads to a serious question for our Republican friends: Is this really the kind of conservatism you signed up for? Is it how you teach your children to think and behave? And if you happen to be a GOP elected official, is it the type of conservatism you want to go down in history as having championed?
If the answer to any of those questions is no, now is the time to say so. Because, Republicans, your team is daily traducing America’s oldest and finest ideals — and if you don’t try to stop it, the moral stain won’t just be Trump’s to bear.
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