Muhammet Ali Zurnacı: Recent events in the US suggest that China and the UK have turned Trump-era practices into an opportunity. Thousands of Americans are applying for British citizenship, Islamist rhetoric is gaining widespread representation in London, and Harvard is facing a foreign student crisis. How does rolling back democratic practices serve American interests?
US-01, US Agent:
The rollback of democratic norms in the U.S.—manifested through aggressive executive actions, politicized immigration enforcement, and ideological targeting of institutions—has inadvertently created openings for geopolitical rivals and allies alike to capitalize on American instability. In the first quarter of 2025, U.S. applications for British citizenship surged to over 1,930, a 12% increase from the previous quarter, coinciding with Donald Trump’s second presidential term. This trend reflects growing political instability in the U.S., with professionals and marginalized communities seeking stability abroad.
Simultaneously, the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) on May 22, 2025, citing accusations of antisemitism and alleged ties to Chinese military-linked entities, put thousands of international students at risk of deportation . This move disrupted academic operations and led to a nationwide injunction by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, preventing immigration authorities from revoking international students’ legal status while litigation continues .
These actions undermine U.S. strategic interests by eroding its soft power, diminishing its role as a global education hub, and signaling a retreat from the democratic values it espouses. The resulting talent exodus and reputational damage benefit competitors like China and the UK, who are poised to attract disillusioned individuals and institutions seeking stability and inclusivity.
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”
— Thomas Jefferson
US-01, US Agent
III’ Corporate