As the reality of another Trump presidency sinks in, many Americans are wondering: is progress still possible? How can we continue pushing for positive change in the face of political hostility and division? According to Aaron Glantz, an investigative journalist who successfully advocated for housing equity under the previous Trump administration, the key is to focus on the issues that matter most—not just the figurehead in the White House.
“Center an issue you care about, ask who is responsible for solving it, find allies and move forward with intention,” Glantz advises. By taking this approach during Trump’s first term, he and his colleagues at Reveal were able to expose modern-day redlining in mortgage lending across 61 US cities, prompting investigations, reforms, and tens of millions in settlements.
Wielding the Levers of Power
The key, Glantz found, was mapping out all the various levers of power—local, state, federal, corporate, and civil society—that intersected with the housing equity crisis. While Trump, his Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, and his top bank regulator Joseph Otting were formidable obstacles at the federal level, they weren’t the only players who could effect change.
“By doing so, you will give yourself a chance to make a meaningful difference,” Glantz writes. After Reveal published their groundbreaking investigation in 2018, a year into Trump’s presidency:
- Six state attorneys general launched investigations into discriminatory lending
- Philadelphia created a $100 million fund for first-time homebuyers in response to the reporting
- JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon visited Philadelphia and promised major expansions in community lending
In the years since, states have reached multi-million dollar settlements with mortgage lenders, cities have reformed their housing policies, and one of the nation’s largest home loan companies even shut down after a state investigation uncovered appallingly racist conduct by its employees.
Transcending the Partisan Fray
For those feeling despair and outrage over Trump’s return to power and his appointment of figures like Mnuchin and Otting, who personally profited from predatory lending, Glantz’s experience offers instructive lessons on achieving progress in a hostile political climate. The first step, he says, is resisting the urge to simply attack Trump and instead “move forward with the intention to confront that issue.”
Housing, as it turns out, is a prime example of an issue that transcends partisan divides. A recent Pew survey found 69% of respondents, including large majorities of both Democrats and Republicans, are “very concerned” about housing costs. Yet housing remains in crisis, especially in Democratic strongholds like California and New York, which have the nation’s lowest homeownership rates, highest rents, and most acute homelessness.
“We, the public, would be well-served to step back from this partisan tit-for-tat and focus on whether political leaders get stuff done.”
– Aaron Glantz
Finding Unexpected Allies
By centering the housing issue itself, rather than reflexively opposing Trump, Glantz found he was able to make headway and “find unexpected allies.” State attorneys general, local officials, and even corporations like JPMorgan Chase took action when presented with clear evidence of ongoing housing discrimination and its devastating impact on communities of color.
The same potential exists on a range of other issues where there is common ground across political divides, from infrastructure and job creation to lowering prescription drug costs. The key is to keep the focus on solving problems that matter in people’s daily lives, not just scoring political points.
Hope Through Collective Action
For those seeking a way forward in these turbulent times, Glantz offers this counsel:
“Take a deep breath. Go on a walk. Meditate if it’s your practice. Talk with your family, friends and longtime collaborators. And then, when you are ready, sit down and write a personal mission statement rooted in an issue that’s important to you.”
From there, he advises mapping out the avenues for change and moving forward intentionally in concert with allies. While no one citizen can shift the direction of the country alone, “all of us, pushing together, can weave a tapestry of strength that propels impact.”
Glantz himself draws hope and resolve from the community of “mission-driven journalists” and their supporters who are committed to revealing truth, holding power to account, and catalyzing reform even in the most challenging of times. In the end, he believes progress is always possible when people of goodwill focus on the work ahead.
“Not only will this approach bring results for you and those you care about, it will also provide an opportunity to dull the political polarization that feeds Trump’s power. You may not be able to lessen Trump’s rage or his desire for retribution, but you will be able to get something done – and that’s the most important step to creating the world you want to live in.”
