'Still in this fight'

Bruised by a Trump victory even more alarming than in 2016, the president-elect's opponents are determined to pick their battles - and be tactically smarter this time

- David Smith

LA Kauffmanrememof thoubers the day hundreds sands of women, men and children marched in Washington. "If you've never been in a crowd that large, it's hard to convey how powerful the feeling is of standing together with so many people who share your goals and that feeling of community and connection," said the political organiser, activist and author.

The Women's March, held the day after Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017, was the biggest singleday protest in US history until the demonstrations that erupted after the police murder of George Floyd three years later. Both were among the most spectacular examples of "the resistance" to Trump's first term as president.

Now Trump is heading back to the White House and a People's March on Washington is scheduled for 18 January, two days before the inauguration. But there are fears it will be a pale imitation of the historic first protest. The mood feels more muted this time. Some people speak of feeling jaded and disillusioned and turning off the news because they are simply Trumped out.

Bill Maher, the comedian and political commentator, argues that there is a "marked difference" between the reactions in 2016 and 2024. "2016 Trump won and there was 3 million people in the streets," he said on his HBO talkshow. "Remember the pussy hats and all that? I mean, it was the biggest demonstration ever. This year: nothing. What is this, resignation?"

Jen Psaki, an MSNBC host and former White House press secretary, commented at the Washington screening of a documentary about Trump's family separations policy at the border: "People are just exhausted of fighting against policies that they feel are immoral, policies they're opposed to people who voted for Kamala Harris and feel disappointed with the outcome. It feels a little bit like the same opposition or calling-out energy is not there in this moment."