Ideas

What Should Americans Do Now?

We need a mass movement for basic decency.

First published in The Atlantic on January 27, 2026.

by George Packer, The Atlantic
January 29, 2026 | reading time: 8 Min.

The killings in Minneapolis of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have been compared to the murder of George Floyd, because they all happened within a few miles of one another, and because of the outrage they inspired. There’s an important difference, though: In 2020 the United States was in turmoil, but it was still a state of law. Floyd’s death was followed by investigation, trial, and verdict—by justice. The Minneapolis Police Department was held accountable and ultimately made to reform.

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