2025 A Nightmare Year in Review & The Brave Responses

On this episode of The Common Good Podcast, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse reflect on what this year reveals, what it has cost the country, and why people committed to democracy, faith, and the common good cannot look away.

This year unfolded as a steady reminder of how damaging the Trump administration has been to democracy, human dignity, and the moral fabric of the country. Month after month brought new controversies—each one reinforcing a pattern of chaos, cruelty, and abuse of power.

January began with sweeping tariff announcements that rattled global markets and raised costs for American families, paired with renewed threats against immigrants and asylum seekers. February saw attacks on the free press intensify, with journalists publicly targeted and credibility undermined as retaliation for unfavorable coverage. March brought purges and firings across federal agencies, removing career public servants seen as insufficiently loyal. April escalated attacks on immigrants and refugees, including rhetoric aimed at Muslim and Somali communities that fueled fear and division. May highlighted ongoing ethical scandals, as Trump family business dealings continued to blur the line between public office and private profit. June saw open defiance of court rulings and norms, signaling that the rule of law applied selectively. July brought renewed pressure on prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officials perceived as obstacles. August exposed fresh revelations tied to the Epstein files, raising disturbing questions about power, protection, and accountability. September featured retaliation against death-row inmates whose sentences had been lawfully commuted, turning justice into vengeance. October continued assaults on democratic institutions, including elections, oversight bodies, and watchdog agencies. November amplified nationalist and authoritarian rhetoric, framing dissent as disloyalty. December closed the year with symbolic and literal damage to democratic norms, including reckless decisions impacting the White House itself and the peaceful transfer of power.

Taken together, this was not a series of isolated incidents—it was a sustained pattern. A year defined by grievance over governance, loyalty over law, and power over people.

A Year of Courage: Month by Month

January At the inauguration, Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, preached directly to Trump, calling for mercy, humility, and care for the vulnerable—naming moral truth in the presence of power.

February Journalists, editors, and independent media organizations pushed back publicly against attacks on the free press, refusing to self-censor despite threats, firings, and intimidation.

March Civil rights organizations and state attorneys general filed and advanced court challenges against immigration policies, executive overreach, and retaliatory actions—using the rule of law to slow abuse of power.

April Faith leaders across traditions organized prayer vigils, statements, and public witness events defending immigrants and refugees, especially Muslim and Somali communities targeted by administration rhetoric.

May Mass nonviolent demonstrations—including renewed No Kings rallies—rejected authoritarianism and the idea that any leader stands above the law.

June Judges and career civil servants continued to uphold legal and ethical standards, even as they faced political pressure, proving that institutions still matter when people inside them have courage.

July Whistleblowers and former administration officials came forward, testifying, publishing, and speaking publicly about corruption, retaliation, and abuses of power.

August Survivors’ advocates and accountability groups demanded transparency around the Epstein files, insisting that wealth and influence not shield wrongdoing.

September Abolitionists, clergy, and justice reform advocates spoke out against retaliatory actions toward death-row inmates, reaffirming that mercy and due process are not weaknesses.

October Voters, organizers, and election workers defended democratic processes—registering voters, monitoring elections, and countering misinformation at the local level.

November Interfaith coalitions and community groups mobilized against nationalist rhetoric, offering a different vision of patriotism rooted in pluralism and shared dignity.

December Grassroots organizations closed the year by raising funds, protecting vulnerable communities, and preparing for continued resistance—choosing long-term faithfulness over short-term outrage.

In this episode, with Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse, we dive into the shocking and disturbing details surrounding the latest Epstein file release.

Newly surfaced documents include a deeply troubling letter from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar, raising urgent questions about power, protection, and the systems that allowed abuse to persist for so long.

Doug and Robb unpack what’s actually known, what’s still unclear, and why this moment matters—not just as a headline, but as a window into how institutional silence, influence, and moral failure intersect. This is an honest, sober conversation about accountability, truth-telling, and why confronting uncomfortable facts is essential if we hope to prevent future harm.