President Trump’s decision to join Israel in launching massive aerial attacks on Iran is the latest and most frightening example of the authoritarian tendencies that have unnerved the majority of Americans. According to an October 2025 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the Brookings Institution, six in ten Americans (62%) believe the country is going in the wrong direction, including most Democrats (92%) and independents (71%), compared with 24% of Republicans. The survey was conducted among a representative sample of 5,543 adults in all 50 states. The margin of error is +/- 1.79 percentage points.
Another more troubling finding in these data is that a majority of Americans agree “President Trump is a dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy” (56%), up from 52% in March 2025, compared with 41% who agree “President Trump is a strong leader who should be given the power he needs to restore America’s greatness.” The overwhelming majority of Democrats (91%) and independents (65%) concur with the initial statement, while most Republicans (82%) agree with the second statement.
This is an increasing concern among all groups in the country, including social workers. So, it was unsurprising to see a packed room on Friday and Saturday at the 30th convening of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work’s Campaign School. There were 165 registrants, mostly students, who were on hand to explore how they might be more engaged in political arenas. Many, but not all, are contemplating running for elected office. Shannon Lane, recently appointed as the institute’s new director, replacing longtime director Tanya Rhodes Smith, encouraged office seekers to begin at the school board level before seeking office at various levels of the legislature.
They learned from social work school board members and other elected officials what it takes to successfully compete for, and effectively participate in, public office. UConn School of Social Work Dean Laura Curran was markedly engrossed in the event, which is always a good sign. Ayesha Clarke, executive director of Health Equity Solutions and former chair of the Hartford Board of Education, stood out among her peers. Currently pursuing a doctorate in Public Health at Harvard University, she participated in numerous panel discussions and served as a host alongside Shannon Lane. It was an impressive array of political social work talent.
Young people’s participation has proven to be decisive in many social movements. From the lunch counter sit-ins during Freedom Summer and the mass jailings of youth in Birmingham in 1963, to anti-Vietnam War protests in the 1960s and 70s that culminated in the shooting of four students at Kent State, which shocked the nation. From the June 16, 1976, South African youth uprising, when more than 500 young students were shot dead in Soweto, depicted in the film Sarafina, which shocked the world, to the 1989 massacre of students in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square that brought shame to the Chinese government. These are among many examples of how young people helped shape the future.
As we prepare for our March events—Social Work Day on the Hill and Student Advocacy Day —we sense a growing interest among social work students in becoming more engaged in political activities. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will be bringing a large number of students to Washington, DC. Young people are not pleased with the policies that have shaped the present and are looking to influence their futures through the democratic process. Organizations like the Movement Voter PAC are providing funds to local organizing groups working to counter the current polarized and dysfunctional environment.
While political activism is historically rooted in social work and mandated by NASW’s Code of Ethics, the social work profession has, in recent history, focused more on licensure and professionalization, which eschews partisanship and advocacy, particularly in research. Thus, policy or legislative advocacy has taken a back seat. Many universities and social service organizations are under scrutiny in their pursuit of NIH funding and are concerned about aggressive political stances that could jeopardize their tax-exempt status and eligibility for government grants.
CRISP is aware of the dilemmas confronting social work schools and departments and takes extra precautions to ensure our activities are nonpartisan. We encourage social work practicum placements in Republican and Democratic congressional offices. As citizens, we should be engaged in political activities as we see fit. As a rule, I encourage students to be critical thinkers, listen to the opposition, and be cautious about jumping on anyone’s bandwagon.