In just over two weeks, an emboldened and angry Donald Trump has restored to power, plunging the federal government into chaos and threatened the rule of law, separation of powers, and the core tenets of American democracy.
It’s important for people to stand up and take action in real time, and do whatever they can—through lawsuits, legislative action and public protest—to block the implementation of immoral and illegal policies. But let’s take a moment to step back and ponder a broader question: Trump’s legitimacy as the nation’s leader, and what that means in terms of social norms, or what effect Trump’s behavior has on what it means to be normal.