Understanding Conservatism in the Context of American Norms Your question cuts to the heart of a profound shift in American politics: the traditional definition of conservatism as a philosophy of preserving established institutions, traditions, and the rule of law. Thinkers like Edmund Burke emphasized incremental change and reverence for historical precedents, while in the U.S., this has long manifested as respect for checks and balances, judicial independence, and the peaceful transfer of power. If Trump's actions and those of his Republican allies are eroding these—through norm-breaking like pressuring the Justice Department, declaring national emergencies for policy goals, or attacking judicial rulings—then yes, it raises a fair point: Who is truly "conserving" the American way of life? Are Democrats and moderates stepping into that role by defending these bulwarks? To answer this, I'll draw on recent analyses and data (as of October 2025), focusing on evidence of norm erosion under Trump, partisan differences in upholding democratic principles, and specific efforts to safeguard institutions. This isn't about partisanship—it's about whether actions align with conserving the constitutional order that has defined America for over two centuries. Evidence of Norm-Breaking by Trump and Republicans Trump's approach has often prioritized executive power over restraint, leading to what scholars describe as "democratic backsliding." This isn't mere policy disagreement; it's a departure from unwritten rules that prevent abuse. Key examples include: Attacks on Judicial Independence: Trump has publicly called for impeaching judges who rule against his administration and posted statements like "He who saves his Country does not violate any law," implying executive override of court decisions. Vice President Vance has echoed this by falsely claiming "judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power." This echoes his first term, where he pressured the DOJ to investigate political enemies, breaching norms of prosecutorial independence. Weaponizing Institutions: Early in his second term, Trump pardoned over 1,500 January 6 defendants on day one, including those convicted of assaulting police, undermining the impartiality of the justice system. He's also targeted law firms with executive orders for "weaponizing" the legal system against him, prompting lawsuits and defenses from firms like Perkins Coie. This builds on first-term actions like declaring a border emergency to bypass Congress. Broader Erosion: Analyses compare this to global backsliding cases (e.g., Hungary, Turkey), noting Trump's focus on "normative democratic erosion" over structural changes—discrediting courts and media without rewriting rules outright. A 2024 study found Republicans more supportive of such violations under their own president, with the GOP rated far higher on "illiberalism" scales (0.7 vs. Democrats' 0.1). These aren't "conservative" in the classical sense; they're disruptive, prioritizing loyalty and power consolidation over stability. Are Democrats and Moderates Doing More to Conserve? In short: Yes, based on current evidence, Democrats and moderates (including independents and some Republicans) appear to be the primary defenders of these traditions, using courts, legislation, and public advocacy to reinforce the rule of law. Republicans, while claiming to restore "law and order," have largely enabled or echoed Trump's overreaches, with GOP congressional majorities blocking oversight. Here's a comparison of efforts: | Aspect of American Way of Life | Republican/Trump Actions (Eroding Norms) | Democratic/Moderate Efforts (Defending Norms) | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Rule of Law & Judicial Independence | Intimidating judges via impeachment threats and public attacks; dismissing ethics officials like the OGE Director. | Senate Democrats like Dick Durbin pushing resolutions affirming judicial review; "shadow hearings" spotlighting attacks (e.g., led by Rep. Jamie Raskin and Sen. Adam Schiff). Groups like the Campaign Legal Center suing to preserve DOJ independence. | | Elections & Democratic Processes | Efforts to undermine voting access (e.g., via gerrymanders); pardons of election-related convicts. | Coalitions like Democracy 2025 (650+ orgs) preparing legal challenges to Project 2025-style voter suppression; defending the Electoral Count Reform Act. | | Anti-Corruption & Ethics | Refusing divestment from businesses; using federal funds to pressure critics (e.g., universities, media). | Democracy Forward filing daily lawsuits against executive overreach; ABA urging lawyers to defend Constitution. Bipartisan calls (e.g., from ex-GOP gov. Christine Todd Whitman) to codify norms into law. | | Public Confidence in Institutions | GOP confidence in institutions (e.g., presidency, police) has surged under Trump (+73 points for presidency), while Democrats' has plummeted to a 1979 low (26%). | Pew data shows Democrats prioritizing "pushing back" on Trump (67%+ say officials aren't aggressive enough); moderates/independents blame GOP more for shutdowns. | Pew surveys reinforce this: 77% of Republicans say Trump respects democratic institutions, vs. just 16% of Democrats. Meanwhile, Democrats' average favorability toward their own party has dipped amid frustration over perceived weakness, but their institutional trust remains higher overall. Moderates and Democratic-leaning independents (41% of those unfavorable to both parties) are key, often siding with defenses of norms. The Bigger Picture: Resilience and the Path Forward America's democracy has proven resilient—wealthy civil society, independent media, and state-level pushback have blunted worse outcomes so far. But as ODI notes, surviving isn't thriving; quality erodes without active conservation. Democrats and moderates are filling this void through litigation (e.g., blocking unlawful firings during shutdowns) and coalitions, but success hinges on broader buy-in, including from disillusioned Republicans. Ultimately, if conservatism means upholding the "soft guardrails" of democracy, then yes—Democrats and moderates are currently doing more to conserve it. This isn't a win for one side; it's a call for all Americans to reclaim those traditions before they fray further. What specific norm or institution concerns you most? I'd be glad to dive deeper.

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This is really scary, but it explains a lot! July 1987, Moscow, USSR — Trump, 41 years old, flies to Moscow at the invitation of Soviet Ambassador to the U.S., Yuri Dubinin. 1/n https://t.co/qxxTpOF8S1

YouTube video by Real Time with Bill Maher