Politics has always been a scrappy arena — a relentless power struggle between two major parties, where one side inevitably tries to outmaneuver the other. It’s messy, competitive, and often cutthroat. Yet, for much of American history, most political players managed to operate within the bounds of decency, adhering to a shared sense of civility and fair play.

That balance began to unravel with the arrival of Donald Trump on the political stage — a watershed moment that shook the Democratic Party to its core. Faced with a figure they viewed as uniquely threatening, Democrats abandoned the very norms they once championed. Civility gave way to scorched-earth tactics. The usual limits no longer applied.