when a nation abandons its moral compass: moral injury and institutional betrayal in america
the /rōoted/ leader #8
Each week feels heavier than the last.
Watching the horrific ambush of President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office—a place I’ve held with respect and reverence since my first trip to Washington, DC in high school—I felt my breath catch, and a familiar swirl of anxiety settled deep in my stomach, leaving me nauseous. It was a visceral reaction, one I knew many others felt too. It was yet another betrayal playing out in real time.
As I watched, all I could think about was the trauma and moral injury people are experiencing. This isn’t just disillusionment or political frustration; it’s something deeper—a wound to our collective sense of right and wrong.
Journalist David Brooks captured this sentiment perfectly in his reflection on the meeting:
"I first started thinking, is it — am I feeling grief? Am I feeling shock, like I’m in a hallucination? But I just think shame, moral shame. It’s a moral injury to see the country you love behave in this way."
Moral injury has historically been associated with military personnel who experience post-traumatic stress-like symptoms after being forced to participate in or witness acts that violated their deeply held morals, beliefs, and values. However, COVID-19 changed that. We saw moral injury extend beyond the battlefield into the daily lives of healthcare workers, teachers, frontline responders, and everyday people facing impossible ethical dilemmas. The pandemic exposed the deep fractures in our systems, forcing individuals into situations where they had to act against their values—whether due to institutional failures, resource shortages, or policies that prioritized profit over people. We’ve also seen this in government where civil servants who are a-political are required to uphold and enforce the laws and policies of whichever administration is in power.
At an individual level, addressing moral injury requires that we reconnect to our personal values and find ways to honor them. This might look like speaking out, setting boundaries, or finding new ways to contribute to a world that aligns with our ethics. But moral injury doesn’t just happen to individuals—it can happen to entire societies. What happens when impacts us as a collective?
moral injury at a national level
National moral injury occurs when a country’s leadership consistently violates foundational ethical principles, such as:
Abandoning democratic norms in favor of autocracy and corruption.
Eroding truth and normalizing lies as a political strategy.
Disregarding human rights, both at home and abroad.
Prioritizing self-interest over the collective well-being.
Last week’s performance was a glaring example of power wielded for personal and political gain rather than for democracy and global stability. To witness someone occupying one of the most powerful roles in the world while doing the bidding of a known dictator, undermining an ally who is fighting for its very survival, and disregarding the fundamental principles of decency, respect, and leadership was more than just unsettling—it was a moral rupture. But it didn’t happen in a vacuum. It was a moment emblematic of a much larger pattern of moral injury that has been afflicting the nation for many years. For me and many of my colleagues when I was in the civil service, it started with the Muslim Ban, the separation of children from their families, and the gutting of the refugee program the first time 47 was in power. It was watching an insurrection with no consequences and most recently the dismantling of programs and systems that will result in the unnecessary suffering and death of thousands of people around the world.
Such betrayals leave us feeling unmoored, as the institutions meant to uphold democracy instead become instruments of self-preservation and power consolidation. The result? Disillusionment, cynicism, and a growing divide between those who still believe in the possibility of moral leadership and those who have resigned themselves to an era of transactional, power-driven politics and the real-world impact of those choices.
institutional betrayal
Moral injury at this scale is compounded by institutional betrayal—a form of trauma that arises when trusted institutions fail to uphold their duty of care. Whether in government, the military, corporate entities, or nonprofit organizations, institutional betrayal occurs when those in power prioritize political gain, financial interests, or self-preservation over ethical responsibility.
For those who have dedicated their lives to public service—diplomats, humanitarian workers, civil servants—the betrayal cuts particularly deep. When leaders disregard international commitments, weaken democratic safeguards, or scapegoat public servants to deflect accountability, they inflict harm not just on individuals but on the very institutions designed to serve the public good. The consequences of institutional betrayal are profound:
A decline in trust in governance and public institutions.
Widespread burnout and disillusionment among those working in service-oriented fields.
An increase in civic disengagement and apathy.
It’s important to name what we’re actually experiencing instead of lumping it all under the umbrella of trauma or burnout. While those terms are relevant, they do not fully capture the moral dimensions of what we’re experiencing. When we fail to name moral injury and institutional betrayal, we lose the ability to address them effectively. We risk misdiagnosing the problem and applying solutions that don’t reach the root of the harm. Recognizing these wounds for what they are is the first step in finding ways to heal.
mitigating the impacts
Addressing and healing moral injury and institutional betrayal—whether at the individual or national level—requires more than just acknowledging the harm done. It demands a commitment to accountability, transparency, and systemic reform. Here are some things that can help mitigate their impact:
Truth-Telling and Acknowledgment – Healing begins with confronting the reality of what has occurred. Whether through investigative journalism, public inquiries, or historical documentation, acknowledging harm is the first step toward repair.
Civic Engagement and Advocacy – While institutional betrayal can make people feel powerless, collective action can serve as a powerful antidote. Voting, organizing, and holding leaders accountable through activism are essential steps in reclaiming ethical governance.
Restorative Justice Approaches – Nations, like individuals, must engage in processes of reconciliation. This can include policy reforms, reparations, and truth commissions to address systemic wrongdoing and rebuild trust.
Community Support and Collective Care – Moral injury can be isolating, but healing is often found in community. Finding spaces to process grief, engage in difficult conversations, and support one another can help counteract feelings of disillusionment and isolation.
What the world witnessed in the Oval Office last week was more than just a political moment—it was a moral inflection point. It laid bare the fractures in America’s ethical foundation and forced a reckoning with what it means to witness one's country abandon its moral compass. Moral injury and institutional betrayal can feel insurmountable, but history shows that nations heal when citizens demand better. Through accountability, engagement, and a renewed commitment to ethical leadership, it is possible to begin the long process of healing—not just as individuals, but as a nation.
challenging the narrative
If you’ve been feeling frozen in the face of relentless attacks on truth, democracy, and human dignity, you’re not alone. The weight of uncertainty can leave us feeling powerless, unsure of how to respond—or if our voice even matters.
Challenging the Narrative is a 21-day community writing, reflection, and care series designed to help us process and meet the complexities of this moment, challenge inherited narratives, and build the moral courage to take action in the face of moral injury and institutional betrayal—all while practicing collective care in community.
Inspired by On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder, this practice will help you:
The roots of authoritarianism—past and present
How to reclaim our voice and practice moral courage as a tool for truth, resilience, and resistance
The role of community and collective care in mitigating moral injury and institutional betrayal
Finding clarity and agency, even in the face of uncertainty and oppression
You don’t have to navigate this unprecedented moment alone.
Work at your own pace for approximately 30 mins/day from March 9-29, 2025
Daily prompts via Substack + private community chat
Optional live Zoom gathering: March 31, 2025
$129 (includes a one-year subscription to /rōot/ by dimple dhabalia) or pay what you can.
Meeting this moment isn’t going to be easy, but we have the capacity to do so if we stay rooted in our values and support each other. I hope you’ll join us.
Check out the full calendar of events below.
This is a great idea, your workshop!
Moral injury on a personal and societal and global level. Exactly. Thank you for articulating the level and depth of Trump's betrayal. Your voice is so essential.