Donald Trump isn’t just raising grocery prices ⏤ Eric Swalwell says he’s coming for the most important thing next

Donald Trump has only just started sitting in his new chair in the Oval Office, but big changes are already happening in the country—many of them causing concern. He has been firing independent government watchdogs, the people responsible for making sure the government follows the rules. He has also given a billionaire businessman, Elon Musk, a special government role, even though Musk doesn’t work for the government. At the same time, Trump is removing diversity efforts from important areas like hiring practices and even public holidays.

These sudden changes are making even some Republicans—who usually support Trump—worried. They are unsure about how his actions will affect America’s image and future. But Democratic leader Eric Swalwell believes that worrying about image is the least of the country’s problems. He posted on X.com (formerly Twitter) to warn people about what he believes is a much bigger threat.

“As Trump takes our personal data, fires police officers, releases violent criminals onto our streets, and makes our groceries more expensive… remember this,” Swalwell wrote. “It’s much easier and cheaper to protect freedom than to fight to get it back once it’s taken away.”

Swalwell’s message is serious, and many people agree with him. Trump is making big decisions that could have long-term effects on the country. He is going after organizations like USAID, which provides aid to other countries. At the same time, he is giving Elon Musk access to massive amounts of government money, even though Musk has foreign business deals that could be risky. His team is also filled with young and inexperienced tech workers, raising concerns about security.

Trump is also putting pressure on people in government who don’t support him. He has sent letters encouraging them to step down from their positions. He is restarting trade wars with countries that have been long-time economic partners of the U.S., just like he did in his first term as president. And just like last time, many people believe he is doing it to create distractions—so people focus on these trade conflicts instead of other, more serious actions he is taking.

One major concern is Trump’s plan to use a “Sovereign America” fund to buy TikTok. Many people already worry about misinformation and political influence on social media. If a president controls a huge platform like TikTok, it could give him the power to control the flow of information, especially to younger audiences. Some fear that this could be used to spread propaganda and influence public opinion in dangerous ways.

Swalwell warned Americans again in his post:

“Get ready. He’s coming for your freedom.”

Not surprisingly, Trump’s supporters quickly criticized Swalwell’s post. Many people on the MAGA (Make America Great Again) side of social media mocked him. Some brought up an old rumor that he had a relationship with a Chinese spy in 2020, even though there was no proof of wrongdoing. Despite this, others on social media agreed with Swalwell’s warning. However, some argued that since Trump hasn’t broken any laws, people shouldn’t be afraid. They believe that unless illegal actions are happening, there is no reason to panic.

But history has shown that waiting too long to react can be dangerous. Many documentaries about World War II explain how ordinary German citizens ignored the early warning signs of Hitler’s rise to power. Some experts say that the biggest mistake was not acting sooner to stop what was happening. Today, some Americans feel the same way—they don’t want to wait and see what happens because by then, it might be too late to do anything about it.

Trump is using a strategy called “Flooding the Zone.” This means he is making so many rapid changes and bold decisions that it becomes difficult for people to keep up. He signs executive orders one after another, makes controversial announcements, and creates new problems before people have time to understand the last one. By overwhelming the media and the public, he keeps shifting attention away from the most serious issues.

Many people feel frustrated and exhausted by this constant cycle of chaos. It can be tempting to ignore everything and stop paying attention. But Swalwell is urging Americans to stay alert.

“It’s much easier and cheaper to protect freedom than to fight to get it back.”

If people stop paying attention, Trump’s Project 2025 could take away more rights before anyone realizes what’s happening.