“If This Is the Fight Against Fascism, It’s Not Much of a Fight”: Shadi Hamid Urges Anti-Trump Resistance to Regroup

Following Donald Trump’s election victory, some of his opponents have responded with resignation rather than renewed determination, drawing criticism from Washington Post columnist Shadi Hamid. In a scathing column, Hamid implored the anti-Trump “resistance” to awaken from its apparent slumber and confront the challenges ahead.

“If this is what the fight against fascism looks like, it’s not much of a fight,” Hamid wrote, decrying what he described as a “dishonorable surrender.” While he welcomed the shift away from the “existential” rhetoric that characterized much of the 2024 election cycle, he expressed alarm over the “sudden softening” of many Democrats who now appear strangely subdued in the face of Trump’s win.

Hamid criticized the emotional pivot among activists and political opponents, noting that despair has replaced hope as the dominant mood. “Hope spurs action,” he explained. “Despair more often leads to retreat.” He pointed to a growing trend of former activists advocating for self-care over sustained political engagement, citing Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg, who remarked, “We’ve marched so much. We’re tired of doing the same thing over and over.”

While Hamid acknowledged the exhaustion felt by those who have spent years battling the Tea Party and MAGA movements, he warned against retreating permanently. “Despite how it might feel in this moment, there is no shame in defeat, and there should be no embarrassment in pulling back, even if temporarily. Life is too short, but it is also long,” he wrote, suggesting that rest and reflection can be valuable but must be followed by action.

Hamid emphasized the importance of using Trump’s victory as an opportunity for reflection on the missteps of 2024 and for building better strategies moving forward. He urged activists to focus on long-term persuasion efforts rather than seeking immediate gratification. “That’s the more difficult work,” he admitted, “since there will be no immediate gratification to be found.”

For Hamid, the path forward requires resilience and a recommitment to the values at stake. He argued that despair must give way to renewed hope, not only to resist Trump’s policies but also to prepare for the broader battles that lie ahead in preserving democracy. “The challenge of democracy,” he concluded, “is one of coming to terms with frightening electoral outcomes—and finding the strength to fight on.”