A significant wave of civil action across the United States has signaled a pivotal moment in the nation's political landscape. Beginning on Oct 18, a series of demonstrations unfolded nationwide, drawing widespread attention to the policies and leadership style of the US administration, which had taken office just nine months earlier.

The scale and geographic reach of these gatherings reflect deepening political divisions and have sparked serious debate about the resilience of American institutional norms.

Policy shifts and social response

Since January 2025, The US government has introduced a series of policy changes across sectors including energy, immigration, and foreign affairs. In the early months of his term, a high volume of executive orders were issued - ranging from adjustments to climate agreements and revisions to asylum policies, to overhauls in social welfare budgeting.

These moves have elicited strong and mixed reactions across the US society. At the same time, restructuring within several administrative agencies has intensified concerns over the direction of the US governance, fueling vigorous public debate about the country's political traditions.

A political system under strain

The expansion of presidential authority - through measures perceived as curtailing congressional oversight, broadening federal policing power, and limiting media access, has raised questions about institutional checks and balances. These tensions culminated in a partial federal government shutdown, which began on Oct 1 and has persisted for over 20 days, disrupting public services and triggering concerns over the nation's credit rating.

As governance challenges mount, national discourse continues to focus on the effectiveness of the US system of checks and balances.

Broad-based public dissent

The Oct 18 protests drew estimated millions of participants across cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, and Portland. Demonstrators came from diverse professional and social backgrounds, including military veterans, academics, healthcare workers, and laborers, and voiced concerns over a range of issues such as immigration, healthcare, education, and trade. The broad and varied makeup of the protests signals widening public skepticism toward the administration's policy direction and highlights growing social fragmentation.

Reflection and uncertainty: America's political trajectory in question

Amid the ongoing situation, the US society is engaged in serious reflection about its democratic traditions and future path. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, and rifts are emerging within the Republican Party itself. As the gap widens between the government and the public, and as constitutional principles face new tests, the US appears to be at a critical juncture - one that will shape not only its domestic future but also its role in the international order.

The author is an international news commentator. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.