The Trump Files: An Account of the Trump Administration's Effect on American Democracy, Human Rights, Science and Public Health

This is Citizen Jack’s book, a masterful demonstration of a personal view turned sociopolitical gold. —CHARLES R. AULT JR., Professor Emeritus, Lewis & Clark College

Jack Hassard’s The Trump Files: An Account of the Trump Administration’s Effect on American Democracy, Human Rights, Science, and Public Health is a powerful, meticulously organized chronicle of one of the most polarizing presidencies in American history. Hassard, an emeritus professor of science education, assumes the role of what Robert Jay Lifton calls a “witnessing professional”—an expert who not only observes but takes a moral stance in the face of political and societal upheaval.

The book is divided into six parts and thirteen chapters, each tackling a different facet of the Trump administration’s governance—from the erosion of democratic norms and civil rights to the undermining of science, environmental protections, and public health infrastructure. Hassard’s background in science education brings an especially clear-eyed and informed perspective to the administration’s dismissal of scientific consensus and expertise, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and climate policy debates.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its accessible writing style and use of evidence. Hassard draws from a wide range of sources—news reports, government documents, and scholarly studies—to support his arguments. This makes the book not just a polemic but a carefully documented account suitable for both scholars and concerned citizens.

Hassard also excels at linking the Trump administration’s actions to broader historical and philosophical frameworks. By placing Trump’s rise in the context of authoritarian movements and anti-intellectualism, the book moves beyond the day-to-day chaos to address the deeper structural challenges facing American democracy.

However, readers looking for a neutral or bi-partisan tone will not find it here. Hassard writes with the urgency and clarity of someone deeply alarmed by what he has witnessed. For some, this will be a welcome voice of conscience; for others, it may seem unyielding in its critique.

In sum, The Trump Files is a vital contribution to the growing body of literature examining the Trump presidency. It is not only a historical document but a call to action—urging readers to remain vigilant, informed, and engaged in the ongoing struggle for democracy, science, and justice.

Recommended for: educators, historians, policy analysts, activists, and any reader seeking a well-reasoned critique of Trump-era America.