In American politics, the pendulum never stops swinging. It glides through eras of change, overcorrects, and arcs back again, propelled by public mood, cultural shifts, and the ceaseless churn of new crises. If the last two decades marked a leftward swing—characterized by landmark progress on LGBTQ+ rights, racial reckoning, and progressive economic policy—the current moment suggests the pendulum may be decisively reversing course. And not just nudging toward the center, but veering unmistakably to the right.
The signs are everywhere. Trans activists, once defined by their uncompromising all-or-nothing rhetoric, are beginning to rethink their strategies, acknowledging that confrontational methods may have alienated as many potential allies as they rallied supporters. A more conciliatory approach is emerging, one that prioritizes incremental wins over maximalist demands.
In corporate America, the much-touted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives of the post-George Floyd era are being rolled back, with companies scaling down their commitments in the face of economic uncertainty and backlash from critics who label these efforts as “woke capitalism.”
Among voters of color, there’s a discernible realignment. Latino and Black men, once thought of as stalwarts of the Democratic coalition, are increasingly abandoning liberal positions for more conservative ones, particularly on cultural issues like crime and education. This shift has contributed to the defeat of liberal prosecutors such as Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, who faced a rising tide of dissatisfaction over his progressive policies on law enforcement and criminal justice reform.
And then there’s Donald Trump. His resurgence isn’t just about personality or grievance politics; it’s emblematic of a deeper trend. Trump’s return to prominence signals a hunger for strongman leadership and a rejection of the perceived overreach of progressive policies, particularly among the white working class, suburbanites, and a surprising slice of minority voters.
What’s happening? And perhaps more provocatively: Is this rightward swing necessarily bad for America in the long run?
The pendulum doesn’t swing in isolation; it moves because people push it. The current shift reflects an exhaustion with the excesses of progressive politics. That’s not to say progressives haven’t achieved meaningful victories—they have—but the relentless pace and scope of change have left many Americans feeling unmoored.
Cultural revolutions often overstep, and the left’s recent decade of dominance has been no exception. Policies and rhetoric once confined to academia made their way into boardrooms, public schools, and dinner-table conversations. For many Americans, the sudden ubiquity of terms like “systemic racism” or “gender fluidity” felt less like enlightenment and more like whiplash.
Moreover, progressives have often struggled to articulate their vision in ways that resonate with a broad electorate. Instead of building bridges, they’ve sometimes policed language and behavior with such intensity that even sympathetic bystanders feel alienated. It’s one thing to advocate for racial justice; it’s another to demand the immediate dismantling of entire institutions without a clear plan for what comes next.
The backlash to this perceived overreach has fueled the right’s resurgence. Conservative politicians and pundits have deftly framed themselves as defenders of “common sense” against the creeping tide of progressive overreach. The result? A growing segment of voters, including some who once leaned left, now find themselves drawn to the clarity and simplicity of the conservative message.
To some extent, the pendulum’s swing toward the right is also a swing toward the center. After years of polarized debate, there’s a growing appetite for moderation. Voters are weary of all-or-nothing politics, whether it’s defund the police or MAGA extremism. They’re seeking pragmatism over ideology, competence over grandstanding.
But the right’s ascent isn’t just about centrism. It’s about offering an alternative vision of America’s future—one rooted in tradition, personal responsibility, and a rejection of what they see as progressive overreach. This vision appeals not just to the conservative base but to disaffected moderates and independents who feel that the left has lost touch with their concerns.
Consider the issue of crime. In cities like Los Angeles, where progressive prosecutors like George Gascón have championed reforms aimed at reducing incarceration rates, rising crime rates have sparked a backlash. Voters who might once have supported these reforms are now demanding tougher policies, driven by a desire for safety and order.
Or take education. The culture wars over school curricula have energized conservative parents who feel that progressive policies are being imposed without their input. This isn’t just a fringe issue; it’s a powerful rallying cry for parents who see themselves as guardians of their children’s future.
A rightward shift isn’t inherently good or bad; it depends on how it manifests. At its best, it can serve as a corrective to the excesses of the left, grounding policy debates in practicality and reconnecting with the concerns of everyday Americans. At its worst, it can fuel reactionary policies that erode civil liberties, deepen inequality, and stoke division.
For the country to benefit from this moment, the right must resist the temptation to overreach. The pendulum’s swing is natural, but if it swings too far, it risks alienating the very voters who enabled its rise. There’s a difference between rolling back policies that overstep and dismantling hard-won progress altogether.
At the same time, the left must learn from this shift. Instead of doubling down on purity tests and ideological litmus tests, progressives should focus on building coalitions that include—not alienate—the middle. They should listen to voters’ concerns, address their fears, and offer solutions that feel tangible and achievable.
Ultimately, the pendulum’s swing is a reminder that no political movement has a permanent monopoly on power or the public’s affection. America’s strength lies in its ability to course-correct, to move between competing visions of the good life, and to find a balance that reflects the needs and desires of its people.
The rightward tilt we’re witnessing now isn’t the end of history. It’s part of the ongoing dance of democracy, messy and imperfect but always moving forward. The question isn’t whether the pendulum will swing back—it will. The question is what we’ll learn from the arc of its motion this time around.
TONY CASTRO, the former award-winning Los Angeles columnist and author, is a writer-at-large and the national political writer for LAMonthly. org. He is the author of “Mantle: The Best There Ever Was”. He can be reached at tony@tonycastro.com.
