Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series.
I arrived early to get a good spot in line for this talk because I feared it would fill up quickly and I would be turned away, just like I was for a previous lecture by Ryan Mac about Elon Musk. I wasn’t alone in my early arrival, and it was nice to wait in line and chat with other like-minded people who had also missed out on the Elon Musk discussion.
As President Trump redefines the American political landscape, significant changes are underway. In this session, authors Joe Conason and Alejandra Oliva explored what these changes look like and how they will impact us all.
Author Alejandra Oliva initiated the conversation by explaining how drastically the political landscape regarding asylum seekers has changed since 2016, when she first began assisting them. She emphasized that the two eras are entirely different, stating that the conditions of 2016 are now a thing of the past. Asylum seekers can no longer rely on the law for protection. Immigration judges are being dismissed, which slows down the process significantly, and immigration lawyers now have overwhelming waiting lists.
Additionally, there is a rise in custody forms to prepare for potential family separations. With the ongoing ICE raids, many individuals are so fearful that they stay inside their homes, while others are purchasing food for those too afraid to venture out. This reflects a climate of totalitarianism.
Author Joe Conason described the current government as the most corrupt in history, citing numerous instances of unethical behavior. For example, money donated to the “Inauguration Fund” remains unaccounted for. The 2025 inauguration was the smallest ever held, yet the funds raised for it greatly exceeded the amount spent. This represents a new and monumental form of corruption, particularly if it becomes intertwined with cryptocurrency. This is a monumental new form of grift, especially if/when it enters the realm of cryptocurrency.
It used to be unthinkable for a president to use the office for personal enrichment, but now it is done openly and without shame. Trump and his associates do not even attempt to disguise their lack of ethics and morals. They are dismantling oversight by removing watchdogs, such as inspectors, and surrounding themselves with loyalists. Pam Bondi, in particular, will reliably do nothing while Trump steals from America with both hands. The U.S. now serves the interests of hostile foreign powers, with corruption cloaked in ideological rhetoric.
The conversation concluded with Joe Conason expressing his lack of optimism about the possibility of returning to normalcy.
My books Memory Road Trip (e-book or paperback) and Time Traveled (e-book or paperback) are both available! You can also find them at most major international book sites.
Krista Marson 