Former senior U.S. national security official Miles Taylor shares a personal account that raises a broader civic concern: the growing cost of dissent in American public life. Drawing on his experience inside government and the consequences of speaking openly, Taylor explores how fear, intimidation, and self-censorship are affecting people across the political spectrum — from public servants to private citizens. Taylor’s account highlights the risks to democracies when dissent is no longer acceptable, and the foundational role of free expression in a democratic society. He underscores the difference between criticism and disloyalty, and why a healthy democracy depends on citizens who are willing to speak openly — even when it feels uncomfortable or risky.
