Introduction
“A citizen sees herself as an active participant in government—not just someone concerned with getting a tax refund.”
I emphasize the distinction between being a taxpayer (consumer) and an active citizen. This is important in the face of growing authoritarianism under Donald Trump’s leadership. It argues that citizens should see government as a shared project. The focus should be on the common good. It should not be viewed merely as a service provider for personal benefits. Through examples like Ruby Freeman and Katie Fahey, it highlights ordinary Americans who have demonstrated courage and commitment to democracy. The conclusion calls for individuals to reclaim their citizenship and engage actively in shaping a just and inclusive future.
America faces the growing authoritarianism of Donald Trump’s second presidency. We must confront a fundamental choice: Will we define ourselves merely as taxpayers–consumers focused on what we get from government? Or will we rise as citizens, committed to shaping and protecting a democracy we all share?
Saving Taxpayers Millions
Too often, I have heard Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. She says, “We are saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars with this buyout.”
In this case, 77,000 federal workers were forced into a buyout or be fired by DOGE. This has happened to hundreds of thousands of federal workers. And the ploy? Save taxpayers money. The damage done by Trump, Musk, Doge, and Republicans in Congress is immeasurable. But, of course, it is not about saving money. It is about centralizing control and power over the government and citizens of the United States.
I have thought about this clever position that Leavitt has parroted for months. I decided to examine the implications for the government to think of us as taxpayers and consumers. It’s convenient for them to use the term taxpayer. It puts all of us into the “consumer” category. It’s not at all what I want to be thought of. I believe we are citizens
Two years ago, I was in the last stage of completing my book. My book is titled The Trump Files. It is an account of the Trump Administration’s effect on American democracy, human rights, science, and public health. I asked Kip Alt, PhD, to write the preface to my book. He is an Emeritus Professor of Science Education at Lewis and Clark College. He agreed. Yet, he had one idea. He asked me if the preface could be titled, Citizen Jack. I hadn’t thought of myself in this way. After discussing this with my wife, Mary-Alice, we agreed on Citizen Jack. A couple of other colleagues who had reviewed drafts of the book also agreed.
Here are the last comments that Kip made about Citizen Jack:
The Trump Files places on exhibit the six years (pre-election to post-insurrection) of Donald Trump at center stage in the nation’s consciousness. The book’s organization enables readers to delve layer by layer into Jack’s reconstruction and analysis of these years. He treats them topically: Trumpism and authoritarianism, the pandemic and mismanagement, anti-science and misinformation, insurrection and suppression of rights, departure and prospects for the future. Trump railed about “fake news.” From one citizen’s perspective, dishonesty, more than any other attribute, characterizes Trump’s legacy. Try on Citizen Jack’s goggles and look at the world we endured. Try not to flinch.
I want to contrast the idea of being a taxpayer versus a citizen. have pulled together two frameworks that will show how different these frames are, and the implication for American democracy.
The tension between being a taxpayer and a citizen is not semantic—it’s political and existential. Here’s a comparative visual:
| Taxpayer | Citizen |
|---|---|
| Sees government as a service provider. Government reciprocates | Sees government as a shared project |
| Focuses on personal benefits (tax cuts, refunds). Consumer | Focuses on the common good and social responsibility |
| Engages only when self-interest is at stake. Consumer | Participates regularly in civic life—voting, organizing, speaking out |
| Prioritizes cost-cutting and privatization | Defends public institutions and inclusive policies |
| Appeals to fear and grievance (“I don’t want my money going to them“) | Appeals to solidarity and justice (“We’re in this together”) |
| Vulnerable to demagoguery and misinformation | Rooted in truth, accountability, and democratic norms |
Trump’s America: An Authoritarian Threat to Citizenship
Donald Trump has reshaped the Republican Party around a cult of personality and grievance politics. His rhetoric doesn’t appeal to citizens. It targets “taxpayers” as victims of a rigged system. He blames immigrants, teachers, journalists, government workers, and late-night comedians.
- He delegitimizes elections that don’t favor him. He wants to eliminate or stop elections.
- He denigrates public servants, from judges to scientists.
- He dismantles democratic institutions while demanding personal loyalty.
In short, Trumpism thrives by shrinking citizenship, turning Americans into isolated, angry customers of the state. Trump and Musk used the dismantling of the federal workforce to instill fear in Americans. They aimed to pit civic servants against other non-governmental employees. If you think I am out on a limb here, talk to some people who lost their jobs.
The Democratic Response: Everyday Citizens in Action
In contrast, countless Americans are stepping up—not because they were asked, but because they believe in the promise of democracy.
Two Stories of Citizenship in Action
1. Ruby Freeman & Shade Moss — Election Workers, Atlanta, Georgia Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss were ordinary election workers. They served in Fulton County during the 2020 election. Trump and his allies falsely accused them of ballot tampering, unleashing harassment and threats. Instead of disappearing, they testified publicly to the truth. They suffered greatly from this ordeal. They were forced to flee from their homes in Atlanta to a small town in South Georgia. For years they were in and out of court but finally won their case against Rudy Giuliani.
“Do you know how it feels to have the president of the United States target you?” Moss asked Congress. Their courage is a reminder: defending democracy often starts with quiet, unseen labor—and extraordinary bravery.
2. Katie Fahey — Anti-Gerrymandering Organizer, Michigan At age 27, Fahey started a grassroots movement. She launched it on Facebook to end partisan gerrymandering. She helped form “Voters Not Politicians.” It was a citizen-led campaign. The campaign passed a 2018 ballot initiative to create a nonpartisan redistricting commission.
“I had no background in politics—just a belief that regular people should have a voice,” Fahey said. Her work shows how citizens can rebuild democratic structures from the ground up.
Who’s Writing About This? Authors on Citizenship & Democracy
Here are several thought leaders offering deep insight into citizenship, democracy, and the fight against authoritarianism. I recommend them and hope that their insights will give you the ideas and resources to further your citizenship.
- Danielle Allen – Talking to Strangers, Justice by Means of Democracy
- Joyce Vance – Civil Discourse on Substack
- Timothy Snyder – On Tyranny, The Road to Unfreedom
- Heather Cox Richardson – Letters from an American, How the South Won the Civil War
- Eric Liu – Become America, founder of Citizen University
- Eddie S. Glaude Jr. – Democracy in Black, Begin Again (on Baldwin and America’s moral reckoning)
- Robert Reich – Former Secretary of Labor, read his Substack.
- Lucian K. Truscott IV – American writer and journalist – read him at luciantruscott.substack.com
- Anne Applebaum -American journalist and historian. author of Autocracy INC., Substack
- Ruth Ben-Ghait – author of Strongment: Mussolini to the Present – Connect with her at Lucid.
These authors offer both historical grounding and practical paths ahead. Joyce Vance says in her Substack newsletter, “We’re in this together.”
Conclusion: The Call to Citizenship
Autocracy does not start with tanks in the streets—it begins when citizens stop believing they have power.
If we want a future rooted in justice, accountability, and inclusion, we must reclaim our role. We should not only be taxpayers who pay into the framework. We must be citizens who shape it.
The democracy we want won’t be handed down. It will be built—by us.
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