When the United States declared its independence in 1776, it established itself on ideals of liberty, representative government and individual rights. Two hundred and fifty years later, those ideals are being celebrated amid sharp political divisions, debates over the state of American democracy and questions about the country’s role in an increasingly fractured world.
President Donald Trump has made the semiquincentennial a defining project of his second term, with nationwide events centred around the “America 250” celebrations.
In an interview with Times Now Digital, political scientist Sophie Fullerton, who is associated with Pace and Columbia Universities and teaches politics and international relations, discusses how America’s 250th anniversary differs from previous milestones, why she believes the country is experiencing democratic backsliding, and whether the United States is approaching a political turning point. Excerpts:
Q. President Donald Trump has made America’s 250th anniversary a defining project of his presidency. How does this celebration differ from previous ones?
A. The celebration itself has changed because everyday life in the United States has become so politicised under Donald Trump. This anniversary has been centred around Trump, his politics, his ideology and the broader politicisation of everyday American life, including institutions such as state fairs.
That’s why this celebration looks very different from previous anniversaries. America’s 200th birthday, for example, drew large numbers of people together in celebration. What we’re seeing with the 250th anniversary state fair is something much more centred around Trump’s supporters and those who back the President’s political agenda.
Events like state fairs have traditionally been community gatherings rather than political events. Now they have become politicised, and I think that helps explain the relatively small turnouts we’ve seen.
Q. As the United States marks 250 years of independence, how significant is this moment for American democracy?
A. Historians will view this period as a moment of extreme polarisation in American history. The United States has experienced growing political polarisation for more than a decade, but since Donald Trump’s second election, that trend has accelerated to what is almost a point of no return. The actions of this administration have been so polarising and controversial that the level of division we are seeing is unprecedented.
I’m referring to issues such as ICE deportations, the strikes on Iran and tariffs. These actions have not only defined the Trump administration but have also shaped the way Americans are experiencing and celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary.
I also believe historians will see this as a period of accelerating democratic backsliding. The United States had already been experiencing democratic erosion over the past decade, alongside growing polarisation. Under the second Trump administration, that process has intensified, and it remains uncertain whether American democracy will ever return to what it once was — or to the ideal many believed it could become.
Q. Has America’s standing in the world changed in recent years?
A. The administration has pursued deeply unpopular policies while paying little attention to people beyond its political base. It has governed in a way that many view as unpredictable and confrontational.
The “America First” movement elected Donald Trump expecting a more isolationist foreign policy. Instead, we’ve seen the United States become involved in places such as Venezuela and enter a conflict with Iran. Those are not the kinds of policies many supporters associated with an “America First” agenda.
At the same time, America’s global credibility has declined. The United States is no longer viewed by many as the stable and reliable ally it once was. You can see that in its relationships with long-standing partners. Even leaders who were once seen as politically aligned with Trump, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have found themselves in disagreement with the administration. The administration’s unwavering support for Israel, as Israel has become increasingly isolated internationally, has also contributed to distancing the United States from many countries in the Global South that support a more pro-Palestinian position.
Q. Do you believe the Trump administration’s foreign policy is driven by a clear long-term strategy or by immediate political considerations?
A. I don’t believe this administration has a coherent long-term foreign policy strategy. Its overriding priority is preserving Donald Trump’s personal image and political brand, and that changes from day to day because Trump’s own positions often change from day to day. He is a very mercurial political figure, and that unpredictability is reflected in the administration’s foreign policy.
I don’t think you can look at what this administration is doing and conclude that it has a carefully calculated long-term vision. Rather, I think it recognises that many of its policies are deeply unpopular with much of the American public.
As a result, its objectives are largely short term — focused on protecting its political image and, ultimately, protecting President Trump himself. Even America’s allies often appear uncertain about how to engage with an administration that has become associated with political instability and unpredictability both at home and abroad.
Q. Do you believe American democracy is now at a turning point?
A. The defining challenge facing the United States today is democratic backsliding. It is difficult to look at the way this administration is governing and confidently describe it as operating according to democratic principles. The unanswered question is how the American public ultimately responds.
So far, Americans have been relatively passive. There have certainly been protests and public opposition, but the broader expectation appears to be that there will be another election and that this administration will eventually leave office, allowing the country to return to some form of democratic normality.
What we are increasingly seeing is a flawed democracy. If scholars look back on this period a decade from now, I believe they will describe it not simply as the erosion of American democracy but as the beginning of its transformation into something fundamentally different: a system that remains democratic largely in name, while civil rights and liberties for ordinary Americans have been steadily weakened.