The Systematic Unraveling of Democracy: Arizona's 2025 Crisis in Review

The Disturbing Pattern Emerges

The Arizona Mirror’s compilation of its most-read stories from 2025 paints a chilling portrait of democratic backsliding and institutional erosion that should alarm every American who values freedom, constitutional governance, and human dignity. This isn’t merely a collection of disparate political stories; it represents a coordinated assault on the very foundations of our republic. From the expansion of expedited deportations that strip migrants of due process rights to the political manipulation of public health institutions and disgraceful attacks on tribal sovereignty, these stories reveal a disturbing pattern that demands our immediate attention and forceful response.

What makes this compilation particularly concerning is that these aren’t obscure policy debates—they represent fundamental violations of constitutional principles and human rights. The fact that these stories resonated most with Arizona readers suggests a population increasingly aware of and concerned about the erosion of democratic norms happening right before their eyes. Each story, while unique in its particulars, contributes to a broader narrative of democratic decay that threatens the rights and liberties of all Americans.

The Facts: A Year of Democratic Erosion

The top stories of 2025 reveal multiple fronts in this assault on democratic institutions. The Trump administration’s expansion of expedited removal proceedings nationwide represents one of the most egregious violations of due process in recent memory. By allowing immediate deportation without court hearings for immigrants who cannot prove more than two years of continuous presence, the administration effectively created a parallel justice system that bypasses constitutional protections. As attorney Laura Belous correctly noted, this policy “sets up the groundwork for raids, rapid removal and racial profiling”—exactly the kind of arbitrary government power the Fourth Amendment was designed to prevent.

The political drama surrounding Representative Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in ceremony represents another alarming development. Speaker Mike Johnson’s unprecedented 36-day refusal to swear in a duly elected representative—using the government shutdown as a pretext—constitutes a dangerous politicization of what should be a ceremonial duty. This obstructionism undermines the democratic process and disrespects the voters of Arizona’s 7th Congressional District who clearly expressed their will through the ballot box.

The resignations of top health officials Jennie Cunico and Carmen Heredia reveal how political extremism has infected even the most essential government functions. When qualified public health professionals must resign rather than face “unprecedented politicization” of confirmation processes, we have reached a crisis point in governance. The Republican establishment of a new committee specifically to subject gubernatorial nominees to “aggressive, hourslong interrogations” represents a dangerous departure from historical norms and practical governance.

Tribal Sovereignty Under Attack

Perhaps most disturbing are the multiple attacks on tribal sovereignty and Indigenous rights that feature prominently in this compilation. The removal of tribal flags from the Phoenix VA hospital—followed by the Department of Defense’s deletion of Navajo Code Talker websites—represents not just insensitivity but active disrespect for the contributions and sovereignty of Native nations. As Ricardo Leonard, vice president of the Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community and Army veteran, correctly stated, these actions “dishonor all Native American veterans and their families who have given so much to protect this country.”

The reports of Navajo people being detained in immigration sweeps, while ultimately unverified, highlight the very real fears within Indigenous communities about being targeted by enforcement actions. The cancellation of $21 million in funding for schools and food banks to purchase from Arizona farmers represents another economic attack on tribal communities, many of which rely on agricultural production.

The Dangerous Rhetoric of Political Violence

Representative John Gillette’s call for the execution of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal represents perhaps the most blatant violation of democratic norms in this entire compilation. For an elected official to advocate for the murder of a political opponent—using language that echoes the most violent periods of American history—should disqualify that individual from public office immediately. This rhetoric, combined with Gillette’s previous racist and Islamophobic comments, represents a toxic escalation of political discourse that threatens the very foundation of civil democratic society.

Opinion: This Is Not Normal—It’s a Constitutional Crisis

As someone deeply committed to democratic principles, constitutional governance, and human dignity, I find this compilation of stories simultaneously horrifying and clarifying. What we are witnessing is not normal political disagreement—it is the systematic unraveling of democratic norms and institutions that have sustained our republic for centuries.

The expansion of expedited removal represents a fundamental violation of due process rights that should concern every American, regardless of their views on immigration. Due process is not a conditional right that applies only to citizens or those who have resided here for arbitrary time periods—it is a foundational principle of justice that protects everyone within our borders from arbitrary government action. When we create exceptions to these protections, we establish dangerous precedents that can eventually be turned against citizens as well.

The obstruction of Representative Grijalva’s swearing-in ceremony represents a dangerous politicization of basic democratic processes. Peaceful transitions of power and the seating of duly elected representatives are not partisan privileges—they are essential components of functional democracy. When Speaker Johnson chose to delay this process for political reasons, he undermined the integrity of the entire legislative branch.

The attacks on tribal sovereignty represent both moral failure and constitutional violation. Tribal nations possess inherent sovereignty that predates the United States itself, and federal policies consistently affirm the government-to-government relationship between tribes and the federal government. The removal of tribal flags and deletion of Code Talker websites demonstrate a profound disrespect for this relationship and for the heroic contributions of Native veterans who have served this country with distinction.

The rhetoric of political violence from elected officials like Representative Gillette represents perhaps the most immediate threat to our democratic society. When those in power advocate violence against political opponents, they create permission structures for actual violence to occur. This language must be condemned unequivocally by all sides of the political spectrum, and those who use it must face appropriate consequences.

The Path Forward: Reclaiming Democratic Principles

This disturbing compilation of stories should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans who value democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. We cannot allow these assaults on our institutions to become normalized or accepted as mere political differences. They represent fundamental challenges to the very concept of constitutional governance.

We must demand better from our elected officials at every level. We must insist on due process for all, respect for tribal sovereignty, functional governance free from excessive politicization, and civil discourse that rejects violence and extremism. The solutions lie not in passive observation but in active engagement—voting, organizing, speaking out, and holding officials accountable for their actions.

The resilience of our democracy depends on citizens who are willing to defend it against all threats, both foreign and domestic. The stories compiled by the Arizona Mirror represent clear threats that demand clear responses. We must stand together—across partisan lines and ideological differences—to reaffirm our commitment to the democratic principles that have made this country a beacon of freedom for the world.

History will judge how we respond to this moment of democratic crisis. Will we stand idly by as institutions erode and rights are diminished? Or will we rise to defend the values that have sustained our republic for nearly 250 years? The choice is ours, and the time to make it is now.