Only the strongest activist organizations may be able to withstand the likely increase in repression under President Trump.

Donald Trump’s election was met with immediate protests from those who did not wish to see him take up residence in the White House, and such protests may well become a frequent occurrence during Trump’s presidency. But how will the Trump administration respond to these likely protests and dissent? Using data on protests and repression in US cities over the past four decades, Emily Hencken Ritter finds that greater dissent leads to repressive responses from authorities. She also warns that, judging by Donald Trump’s rhetoric, we may also see an increase in preventive repression such as registries, unwarranted deportations, and restrictions on civil liberties, but well-resourced activist organizations will be a solid defense against these policies.