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America’s Public Discourse: How Did We Get to This Point?

America’s Public Discourse: How Did We Get to This Point?

Last updated on: February 3, 2026 at 7:18 pm by Dennis McIntyre

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America’s Public Discourse: How Did We Get to This Point? 2026-02-03T19:18:49-05:00 Dennis McIntyre

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The public discourse in America is toxic. The events in January only heightened the divide within the country – image courtesy of Vecteezy.com.

The public discourse in the United States continues to escalate as we start 2026. January has been a horrific month for the country. From terrible weather to violence in the streets related to immigration enforcement, we are a country at odds with each other on almost every important topic. How did it get to this point? What can we do about it? Let’s take a look.

January As a Microcosm of the United States

January absolutely can feel like a microcosm of the divide in the United States — not because the month itself has special power, but because it concentrates several forces that expose the fractures already running through the country. When you look at it through that lens, the month becomes a kind of diagnostic window into the national psyche. While the events in January continued to widen the divide between us, the venom spewed by both sides does nothing to help us come together as a people:

Immigration enforcement remains a significant point of contention in the country. While there have been altercations and serious injuries on both sides, the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota raised the temperature significantly and have made a dangerous situation even worse as the raids continue. Politicians continue to throw gas on the fire instead of taking action to de-escalate.
U.S. military action in Venezuela (January 3) resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores after large‑scale airstrikes, drawing global condemnation and raising questions about interventionism. The U.S.indicted Maduro for narco-terrorism, cocaine transportation, and weapons-related charges. Some U.S. politicians openly celebrated his capture and extradition to the United States. Those on the other side of the aisle openly condemned the action.
A funding standoff over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations—driven in part by the Minnesota shootings—triggered a partial shutdown late in the month.

Weather Impact

Horrific weather took lives and put many at risk across the country due to destructive storms and dangerous cold weather. Widespread power outages and travel disruptions due to the storms paralyzed large sections of the country.
The severe weather has reignited the discussion concerning climate change, already a polarizing subject.

Political confrontation, federal enforcement controversies, nationwide protests, a historic winter storm, and significant international actions defined January 2026. Together, these events set a tense and consequential tone for the year ahead.

The Tone of the Country Spirals Out of Control

The public discourse in the United States is toxic. Immigration enforcement is a very polarizing topic in the country – image courtesy of Vecteezy.com.

Fueled by keyboard warriors on social media and enflamed by politicians at all levels, we as a people are unable to speak to each other if we disagree on a subject. In the past, we have always been able to work together and do what is best for the country, even if we disagree. That is no longer the case:

While the assassination of Charlie Kirk was celebrated by many back in September, we now have people openly calling for violence and death for those they disagree with. What is particularly disturbing is that many of the people responsible for this horrific rhetoric come from the medical and education fields. Threats of withholding treatment for those on the other side of the political spectrum are completely unacceptable and must not be tolerated.
Politicians on both sides of the aisle have done nothing more than pour gas on the fire – especially in Minnesota. Calls to “resist” and to “obstruct” only put people in danger. Protestors are emboldened, and law enforcement is threatened. The combination of the two makes situations like those of Renee Good and Alex Pretti more common.
The mid-term elections will occur in November 2026, and this will inflate the rhetoric to even higher levels.

The Catholic View

We must step back from the alliances that currently divide us and take a more “Christ-centered” look at the situation. Stepping back from what separates us allows Jesus to help unite us. When you look at the Gospels, specific patterns emerge with remarkable clarity. They give us a way to imagine how Jesus would see the current divide and the rhetoric surrounding it:

Jesus consistently confronted contempt, the spirit that says, “You are less than me.” In the Sermon on the Mount, He warns that calling someone “fool” or “empty‑headed” (Matthew 5:22) is spiritually destructive because it dehumanizes. Today’s rhetoric — mocking, shaming, demonizing — mirrors exactly what He condemned. He would see the loss of compassion as a wound in the national soul.
Jesus never aligned Himself with a political faction. He confronted the Pharisees for legalism, Sadducees for compromise, Zealots for violence, and the Herodians for corruption. Wherever people use God to justify cruelty, dishonesty, or self‑righteousness, He would speak with piercing clarity.
He would defend the dignity of those being dehumanized. The dignity of the human person cannot be compromised. This must include all those named in Matthew 25:35-36, the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the ill, and those in prison. We don’t get to pick and choose those whom we must help. God decides who we will cross paths with.
He would expose the fear beneath the anger. Much of today’s division is driven by fear — fear of losing identity, security, culture, or control. He would name the fear honestly and then call people out of it, because fear shrinks the heart and fuels hostility.

The Truth Shall Set You Free

Jesus would challenge the lies and half‑truths. He confronted falsehood wherever it appeared — to free people. He would see today’s misinformation, conspiracy thinking, and manipulative rhetoric as chains that bind people in confusion. His response would be the same as in John 8:32, “The truth will set you free.”

Jesus asks His followers to be different. He focused on the people and relationships. Jesus asks us to:

Love your enemies
Bless those who curse you
Be peacemakers
Forgive seventy times seven
Let your yes be yes
Take up your cross

We can lower the temperature of the public discourse by living as Jesus did. Step back from the crowds screaming at each other and recognize the dignity of all. This isn’t about who is right and wrong; it’s about working together and caring for one another. As disciples of Jesus, we have a moral responsibility to be loving and forgiving peacemakers living the truth of Jesus Christ. If we each do our part, we can make a difference.

Please share your thoughts on this article in the “Comments” section.

Peace

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About Dennis McIntyre

In my early years, I was a member of the Methodist church, where I was baptized as a child and eventually became a lector. I always felt very faith-filled, but something was missing. My wife is Catholic, and my children were baptized as Catholics, which helped me find what I was looking for. I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, walking with Jesus. I was welcomed into the Catholic faith and received the sacraments as a full member of the Catholic Church in 2004. I am a Spiritual Director and commissioned to lead directees through the 19th Annotation. I am very active in ministry, serving as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister and providing spiritual direction. I have spent time working with the sick and terminally ill in local hospitals and hospice care centers, and I have found these ministries challenging and extremely rewarding. You can read more about the author here.

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