Michael Steele, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), has delivered a scathing assessment of Donald Trump's first year back in the White House, arguing that America's core institutions surrendered to the president's bullying tactics with alarming rapidity.
The Speed of Institutional Collapse
Steele, who became the RNC's first Black chair in 2009, stated that the most surprising element of the past year was not Trump's authoritarian assault on constitutional norms, which he expected, but the velocity with which law firms, universities, and media companies capitulated. "The only thing that would be surprising is the speed with which institutions collapsed," Steele remarked in a recent interview.
He elaborated that the Trump administration employed an "everything-everywhere-all-at-once" strategy from the outset, overwhelming standard processes. Steele contended it proved easier for many organisations to "collapse and give in than to stand and resist." He noted that the few institutions which did hold firm demonstrated the superior long-term strategy.
Targeted Pressure and Concessions
The former GOP leader detailed how the administration applied targeted pressure. Law firms that opposed Trump's policies or were entangled in probes related to the 2016 election faced threats including revoked security clearances and terminated government contracts. Many firms negotiated settlements that involved providing pro bono legal services aligned with the president's agenda.
Elite universities, meanwhile, were hit with funding freezes totalling over $5bn in federal grants and contracts, often linked to investigations into alleged antisemitism or diversity practices. This financial coercion led numerous institutions to negotiate policy changes and oversight concessions 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 Towards Accountability and the 2026 Midterms
Despite signs of pushback, such as the widespread 'No Kings' protests and Disney's reinstatement of host Jimmy Kimmel, Steele cautions that Trump's allies are eager to maintain momentum. He named figures like Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller, and Kash Patel as "engines" who would continue driving the president's agenda forward.
Looking ahead, Steele, who voted for Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris but remains a Republican, believes a pivotal conversation is needed about holding enablers accountable. "You may be doing Donald Trump’s bidding but, at a certain point, Donald Trump will no longer be president and you will be exposed," he warned.
He connects this demand for accountability directly to the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Pointing to Democratic successes in 2025 races in New Jersey, Virginia, and California's Proposition 50, Steele sees a voter appetite for a check on Trump's power. He predicts these indicators could lead to a significant Democratic victory, potentially gaining 30 to 35 seats in the House, in a political climate he compares to the 2010 wave.
"For me the most important conversation... is: are we prepared to hold every last one of these folks accountable?" Steele concluded, arguing that officials must answer for indulging the president's autocratic tendencies once he leaves office.
