Politics Weekly America ICE shootings, tariffs and Greenland: why we’re experiencing ‘Trump exhaustion syndrome’
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Jan 22, 2026 
Ashley Parker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter at The Atlantic, examines the phenomenon of 'Trump exhaustion syndrome'. She discusses how Americans are increasingly fatigued by Trump's unpredictable behavior and public statements. Ashley unpacks the erosion of norms, especially in immigration policy, and the normalization of controversial tactics. They consider the midterms as a potential remedy to reinvigorate political engagement, while also evaluating how Trump's actions have shaped public perception and voter responses.
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Boiling Frog: Gradual Norm Erosion
- Parker uses the 'boiling frog' analogy to explain gradual norm erosion under Trump.
- He starts with targeted examples and slowly normalizes more extreme actions until the public tolerates them.
How Immigration Moves Began With Demonised Targets
- Parker recounts immigration policy shifts starting with demonized targets like gang members.
- She traces moves from deportations to using an obscure 18th-century law and authorizing strikes at sea.
Normalisation Breeds Disengagement
- Parker links normalization to declining visible resistance and a sense of learned helplessness.
- Many Americans respond by disengaging from news rather than mobilising sustained opposition.