Surviving a Second Trump Presidency: Practical Steps for Staying Safe and Low-Profile in a High-Risk Political Climate

October 30, 2024 Confluence

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Confluence Daily is your daily news source for women in the know.

An Analysis by Lisa Hayes

Surviving a Second Trump Presidency: Practical Steps for Staying Safe and Low-Profile in a High-Risk Political Climate

Look, we don’t want to talk about this right now. However, all of us are thinking about it.

This time next week, the 2024 election will be over. Most of us just want it to be over. We are anxiously wondering what a second Trump presidency could look like and what it would mean for civil liberties, community safety, and individual security.

While preparing for the worst might sound extreme, having a game plan can be crucial for navigating what could be a more authoritarian and polarized America. Preparing might also reduce anxiety. Planning in advance is way better than scrambling in a crisis. If you’re afraid, it’s not because you’re being paranoid. Unfortunately, you’re a realist.

With Trump’s own rhetoric about targeting political opponents and cracking down on dissent, it’s not far-fetched to imagine a climate where political beliefs are scrutinized and anything remotely oppositional could come under fire.

This is about protection, not paranoia—about holding space for our beliefs while recognizing when and where to keep them close to the vest. Here’s a practical guide, blending both proactive digital privacy steps and in-person precautions, for staying safe if political tensions continue to escalate.

Worst Case Scenario: The Core Rule—”If It Could Be Used Against You or Anyone Else, Keep It Quiet AND that IS Almost Everything”

When uncertainty grows, the first rule of survival becomes this: anything you say can be used against you—and that is a whole different concept in a fascist regime than in a court of law.

The goal here is not about silencing yourself but protecting both yourself and those around you. A second Trump term could amplify an already polarized climate, where and what you share—even innocently—might later be weaponized.

Discretion as Protection: Moving forward, imagine that anything you say or share publicly could be a potential target. For safety, you no longer “know” that any of your friends are LGBTQ+, non-Christian, or left-leaning. Anything you know about other people that can be kept private should be kept private.
Protecting Immigrant Friends: With Trump’s history of targeting immigrants, consider responding that immigrant friends or neighbors “have always lived here.” The point isn’t denying identities; it’s deflecting attention that could be dangerous.

Start with a Digital Clean-Up: Controlling Your Social Footprint

Our digital lives are part of the public domain, and in a high-risk political climate, what’s online can quickly turn into a weapon. If a second Trump administration focuses on rooting out dissenters or clamping down on opposition, past support for progressive causes, political movements, or even social justice issues could attract scrutiny.

Archive or Remove Sensitive Content: Think of this as a “political audit.” Go through old posts, photos, and connections that are openly critical of Trump or support contentious causes. Archiving or removing these posts means that you’re reducing the chances of having your digital footprint interpreted by people who might be looking for targets.
Adjust Privacy Settings: Make your accounts private, limit visibility, and streamline your followers to people you know and trust. Setting up this layer of privacy limits who can see your posts and keeps your online interactions within a close circle.

Public Displays of Support: Rethinking Profile Photos and Political Tags

Publicly displayed political alliances are not trivial in this context—they can be flags in a volatile climate. This includes profile pictures, hashtags, and bios that may be affiliated with the Biden-Harris administration or progressive causes. It’s not about hiding who you are, but adapting to the need for self-protection.

Switch Profile Photos to Neutral Options: If your current profile photo prominently supports Kamala Harris, Biden-Harris, or other progressive affiliations, consider changing it to something neutral. Think of it as camouflage for safety; you’re still holding your beliefs but without a flashing beacon for those searching for opposition voices.
Limit Public Affiliation Tags: Hashtags like #DefeatTrump or #TeamHarris are searchable, and in a high-stakes scenario, they could link you to groups that may come under scrutiny. Consider editing bios to reduce political identifiers, especially if they’re highly polarized terms.

Untagging Family and Friends: Limiting Relationship Visibility

Social media tags connecting you to family members, friends, or anyone potentially vulnerable could expose them to scrutiny by association. In a climate where government surveillance or digital tracking could escalate, removing these tags can protect both you and your loved ones.

Unlink Relationships on Social Media: Remove tags that identify close relationships with individuals who could be marginalized or openly vocal about political beliefs. This could help shield them from attention based on your affiliations.
Limit Photos Featuring Vulnerable Individuals: If you’re connected with activists, outspoken critics, or those with marginalized identities, think carefully about posting or tagging them. The less visible your associations are, the less likely they’ll attract the wrong kind of interest.

Be Wary of New Political Conversations: Avoiding “Fishing” for Information

Political “fishing” might sound extreme, but in a polarized environment, casual conversations about politics could easily be bait for those gauging your stance. Maintain a protective shield by being neutral with strangers and avoiding topics that could open you up to probing questions.

Neutral Responses Are Your Shield: If someone unfamiliar tries to engage you in political conversation, shut it down. The phrase “I don’t talk about politics” can be a reliable go-to that signals neutrality without compromising your views.
Avoid Confrontation with Provocative Questions: If a stranger is pressing hard on contentious topics, treat it as a red flag. People fishing for opinions are often looking to use them against others or report them, so be cautious and steer the conversation away from politics.

Quiet, Discreet Activism: Supporting Others Without the Public Display

For those passionate about helping vulnerable communities, discretion is the safest approach. Activism may feel more impactful when shared, but in a hostile environment, silence becomes the ultimate protection for both you and those you help.

Keep Your Activism Private: Help those in need, but avoid broadcasting it online or to others who might inadvertently expose your actions. Silence around good deeds can feel counterintuitive but is essential for safety.
Use Secure Channels Only: Communicate through trusted, secure networks. Private conversations, encrypted apps, and in-person gatherings help ensure your efforts remain low-profile and protected.

Stay Informed but Low-Key on Self-Protection

In an environment of heightened scrutiny, preparing for personal safety might become essential. However, focusing on non-lethal methods of self-protection may reduce unnecessary risk. This is about readiness without drawing unwanted attention.

Consider Non-Lethal Self-Defense: Self-defense classes that teach situational awareness and safe methods of protecting oneself provide alternatives to firearms, especially for those uncomfortable with lethal force.
Know Your Legal Rights: Familiarize yourself with local laws around self-defense, personal safety, and public rights. Knowing what’s legally permissible can help you stay within the law, even in high-pressure situations.

Embrace Digital Privacy Over Public Discourse: “I Don’t Talk About Politics”

Even if it’s tempting to engage on issues that matter to you—like climate change, workers’ rights, or social justice—the safest response in a tense political landscape might be staying neutral. Defaulting to a non-political stance keeps you under the radar and minimizes potential fallout.

Use Neutral Phrases: When people ask your stance on a charged issue, default to statements like “I don’t talk about politics” to avoid being drawn into potentially polarizing conversations.
De-escalate as Necessary: Sometimes, saying less is more. Stick to general topics, maintain neutrality, and if conversations start to stray toward political or social tension, gently steer them back or disengage.

Financial Security and Access

In volatile political climates, financial control can become a tool for restriction, especially if banking systems become targets for tracking political affiliations or funding.

Emergency Cash Reserve: Consider keeping a small amount of cash in a secure place. In case of sudden disruptions to financial access, having cash can allow you to handle essential purchases without relying on digital payment systems.
Alternative Payment Options: Set up alternative financial accounts or platforms. Secure systems that don’t leave a direct link to political affiliations or donations might be safer. For example, some peer-to-peer payment platforms offer enhanced privacy options.

Securing Digital Communications

Protecting your conversations, especially if they involve sensitive or activist-related content, is essential in a high-surveillance environment.

Encrypted Communication Apps: Use secure messaging apps like Signal or Telegram for confidential conversations. Encrypted messaging helps protect your conversations from external monitoring.
Password Management and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Keep your accounts secure by using a password manager and activating 2FA wherever possible. This adds a layer of protection if there’s an attempt to access your accounts.

Physical Preparedness

If public safety becomes an issue, preparing for short-term disruptions in services could provide peace of mind.

Go-Bag Essentials: Prepare a “go-bag” with essentials like water, non-perishable food, basic medical supplies, and copies of important documents. This bag can be a safeguard for rapid relocation if circumstances change suddenly.
Community Safety Checkpoints: Establish a system with trusted friends and family for regular check-ins. This is especially valuable if digital communication is disrupted, allowing you to ensure one another’s safety and share updates on changing situations.

Mental Health and Resilience

Political instability can take a toll on mental health. Finding ways to stay grounded and emotionally supported helps maintain resilience.

Build a Support Network: Establish connections with people who share your concerns and can- Build a Support Network: Establish connections with people who share your concerns and can provide emotional support. Having people you trust to talk with can be critical for maintaining perspective.
Mindfulness and De-stressing Practices: Regularly practice methods like mindfulness, journaling, or exercise to reduce stress. These practices can provide emotional stability in the face of anxiety or fear.

In a high-risk environment, a little caution can go a long way. A second Trump administration might bring challenges, but proactive steps now provide a critical buffer against potential threats to personal safety and civil liberties. These preparations aren’t about abandoning your beliefs or submitting to fear—they’re about being ready to navigate a volatile environment, keeping both yourself and your loved ones safe.

These steps won’t compromise your values but will protect them by keeping them secure and private until they can be safely expressed again. In uncertain times, safeguarding your beliefs and loved ones means thinking strategically, staying resilient, and preparing to adapt without surrendering hope.

Lisa Hayes is a life coach, coach trainer, author, and editor of Confluence Daily. She specializes in social, social justice, political issues, and mental health. Her work has appeared in publications like Huffington Post and Real Simple. She is also the Communications Director for a local fire department in Mexico. You can find Lisa at www.lisamhayes.com or www.thecoachingguild.com.