Grappling with the Consequences of Our Choices

Today, I woke up to a profound sense of disappointment and confusion following the United States presidential election results. It is difficult to process the reality that a person with a well-documented history of racism, misogyny, and a blatant disregard for the pillars of democracy—someone who has incited violence, faced numerous indictments for election interference, attempted to undermine the electoral process, falsified documents, committed fraud, and accrued a staggering 34 felony convictions—has been chosen to lead this nation. How can we reconcile this decision, especially when it represents the voice of so many Americans, some of whom are my neighbors, colleagues, and friends? People who know who he is, what he’s done, and yet cast their ballots in his favor.

This outcome raises questions that go beyond politics. What does it mean about our collective values as a nation? As a society, we often hold individuals accountable for their misdeeds, condemning those with felony convictions to a lifetime of exclusion and punishment, even after they’ve served their time. For these individuals, there is no grace, no opportunity to prove they can be better. They face a wall of over 40,000 collateral consequences that prevent them from fully reentering society, building better lives, and contributing to their communities. Yet here, we have granted grace to someone who has repeatedly shown disdain for the rule of law and respect for others.

For those of us impacted by the justice system, who know firsthand the challenges of trying to overcome mistakes and rebuild lives, this election feels like a slap in the face. It is disheartening to see a nation willing to overlook serious transgressions at the highest levels while punishing everyday people for far less. This double standard not only reveals a painful inconsistency in how we value accountability but also perpetuates a message that some are simply above the law.

It’s a call for reflection on the character of our country. Are we, as Americans, content to accept leaders who defy the very standards we hold ordinary citizens to? This moment challenges us to reconsider our sense of justice, equity, and compassion. If we are to move forward as a unified nation, we must reckon with the ways in which our choices contradict our stated values.

My hope is that we use this moment to examine not just our political divisions but the underlying principles we claim to uphold as a society. For a truly just and compassionate future, we must demand more of ourselves—and more of those we choose to lead us.

    In Solidarity, 

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    Pamela Winn
    President & Founding Director 
    RestoreHER US.America

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