It's true that the United States faces a threat from Donald Trump, but an even greater threat is the set of standards that make up Trumpism. Long after the man is gone, Trumpism will remain.
Trumpism tells us to interpret with charity (or outright credulity) the most vile faults, flaws, and misdeeds of our political allies, and to heap scorn, opprobrium, and damnation upon even the slightest misstep (real or perceived) of our political opponents.
Trumpism tells us that when our political leaders or their media allies say a thing is true, it's true... facts, context, and differences of interpretation be damned.
Trumpism tells us that vital American institutions should perish or become de-legitimized for a momentary gain of political advantage.
Trumpism tells us that the courts are nakedly political, no different than the partisan battles we see take place on social media every day. It tells us that there are no legal arguments.... that all justices are either for us or against us. No legal reasoning matters, only the outcome matters, and those that disagree with us are traitors to our cause. It tells us that the decisions of the courts carry no legitimacy.
Trumpism tells us that rather than distribute power across the branches of tripartite government, we must concentrate power in the hands of the executive so he or she can do what must be done to make America great.
Trumpism tells us that those people who disagree with us do so not out of principle, but because they are stupid and evil.
Most importantly, Trumpism tells us that there is power in hypocrisy.
Even more important than resisting Donald Trump is resisting the call of Trumpism. When the Democrats eventually regain power (which is potentially soon), the urge for vengeance will be strong. The urge to "fight fire with fire" will be strong. The urge to cry "they smashed institutions for political gain, so we should too!" will be strong.
If America is to survive, each and every one of those urges must be fought.
In order to understand the world around us (both political and physical) determining facts by examining primary sources must become the norm. If we are to protect America from the ongoing effects of Trumpism (and the next Trump) we must strengthen institutions that next-Trump will inherit, not weaken them.
Opposition to Trumpism isn't just a set of policy preferences, it's a set of values. If we are to be better leaders, better citizens, and better human beings than those in the grip of Trumpism, we must strive to be its opposite.