Bolduc: America Still Lives In The Shadow Of 9/11

By Don Bolduc, NH Journal

Decades after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, the institutional, cultural and political landscape of the United States bears enduring scars that fundamentally reshape American life.

Historians, national security experts and public opinion polls converge on numerous areas where the “shadow” of 9/11 is acutely felt, signaling a transformational shift in the nation’s collective consciousness. This essay explores three major pillars: the evolution of national security structures, the reshaping of foreign policy, and the effect on public trust and societal divisions.

The establishment of a national security state stands as one of the most significant legacies of 9/11. Prior to that fateful day, the United States lacked many of the expansive security agencies that now define American governance. The creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement has fundamentally altered how the U.S. approaches security. These agencies are now intertwined with the everyday lives of American citizens, overseeing everything from immigration enforcement to air travel security.

Equally profound is the erosion of privacy that resulted from the passage of the USA Patriot Act. Designed to enhance law enforcement’s ability to prevent terrorist activities, this sweeping legislation blurred the lines separating government surveillance from civil liberties. Key among these changes was an unprecedented level of data collection and monitoring of electronic communications, enabling warrantless wiretapping and intrusive surveillance practices. The ramifications of these policies echo through modern life, as Americans navigate a landscape where government scrutiny remains an accepted norm under the guise of national security.

Travel has transformed into a manifestation of this new reality. The airport experience, once defined by routine conveniences, now includes mandatory procedures such as removing shoes, submitting to full-body scanners and adhering to strict liquid limits. Such practices serve as daily reminders of the attacks and the government’s continuing efforts to mitigate perceived threats. The normalization of these security measures reflects a broader cultural shift: An acceptance of inconveniences in exchange for a sense of safety has become an intrinsic part of American identity.

The events of 9/11 catalyzed a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy, encapsulated by the “global war on terror.” This enduring framework has not only justified military interventions but also shaped America’s international relationships and strategic priorities. In the years after the attacks, the United States engaged in prolonged conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, establishing a model reliant on drone strikes, special forces and targeted operations across the Middle East and Africa.

Even as contemporary concerns have pivoted toward great-power competition with China and Russia, the precedents set in the wake of 9/11 linger. The Authorization for Use of Military Force, passed just days after the attacks, remains a key legal mechanism for executing military action abroad without a renewed congressional mandate. This enduring legal framework allows modern presidents to act unilaterally in military matters, raising questions about the separation of powers and the democratic process itself.

The societal effects of 9/11 extend well into public trust and cultural relations. Initially, the attacks sparked a wave of national unity, with citizens rallying around a shared sense of patriotism. However, the protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, coupled with domestic policy outcomes, have deeply eroded public confidence in government institutions. Political scientists have documented this decline, noting that the initial rallying effect has given way to skepticism and disillusionment regarding government effectiveness and transparency.

Moreover, Sept. 11 catalyzed a shift in societal attitudes toward immigration, border security and religious tolerance. The resultant rise in Islamophobia and xenophobia not only influenced public discourse but also sparked divisive partisan politics. Shared societal fears often coalesced around misconceptions and negative stereotypes, perpetuating cycles of distrust and division. Data from organizations such as the Pew Research Center and Gallup affirm that a substantial majority of Americans believe the country was irrevocably changed by Sept. 11, illustrating how generational perspectives, even for those born after 2001, are shaped by the reverberations of that day.

The shadow of Sept. 11, 2001, continues to loom large over the United States, shaping contemporary governance, foreign policy and societal attitudes. As the nation grapples with the legacies of an era marked by heightened security and political tension, it remains critical to understand how these changes affect individual liberties and collective identity.

The lasting effect of 9/11 serves as a reminder of how a single moment in time can forever alter the fabric of a society, sealing its fate in the smoke of a tragedy that transformed not just policies but also the very essence of what it means to be American.

Don Bolduc is a retired brigadier general and was the 2022 Republican nominee for United States Senate in New Hampshire. He wrote this for NHJournal.com.

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.