Thomas L. Friedman

And there are many criticisms one can make of Trump.

But one thing he has done that is just a travesty to me is that he's put in charge of some of our key institutions, from Health and Human Services to the FBI to Homeland Security, people who in no other administration would be seen as qualified for these jobs.

And

our institutions are what distinguish us.

What would Chinese give for one day of our FBI?

What would Russians give for one day of our Justice Department?

And if we lose those institutions,

Coming back is going to be very, very difficult.

And those institutions are in peril right now.

The other thing I would add is this.

We are going through a wrenching technological, social, and cultural transition.

The pot would be boiling no matter what.

But then along came Mark Zuckerberg.

And he created an industry that profits by enraging and dividing us.

That boils the pot even more.

And then along came Donald Trump, and he took the lid off the pot.

And he made it permissible, politically profitable, to say and do things to and about each other that no American president has ever done.

So we need two things.

We need to ensure that our institutions hold.

That's why the 2026 election is so important.