“The big question is: can we continue with this pro-competition populist movement?” Vienna says. “Can populism really infect and take over both parties? Because both sides have been very corporate for a long time.”
That populism may translate into consumer-focused measures in the new Trump era, but it is not certain. Vance has spoke at length about his support for greater competition in the technology market, as well as a policy that would aim dissolve large companies like Google. Trump has also voiced his opposition to some big tech companies (often ones that have upset him personally), but in his last term he generally made life easier for corporations and the wealthy with tax cuts and favorable legislation. The administration may be willing to help push policies that address right to repair efforts. (Although we will see how the newly created government efficiency department, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, decides to prioritize public spending.)
“Are we going to allow an era of greater competition, which will make America more resilient on many levels, or will Trump go with his billionaire friends?” Vienna says. “We just don’t know with Trump.”
Of course, the United States is not the only battleground for reparations movements. The European Union will also push for legislation on product design and repair requirements that will extend to devices sold elsewhere. Nathan Proctor, senior director of the Right to Repair Campaign at the nonprofit interest group. PIRGHe says the best strategy is a varied one that incorporates restorative allies from all over.
“I’m probably not going to put too many eggs in the federal basket,” Proctor says. Instead, he says PIRG is focusing on repair efforts at a more local or state level. “There are a lot of other great state and local legislators, other people who really care about the right to repair. And there are many opportunities to move forward. “I’m not ruling anything out.”
Ultimately, both Wiens and Proctor say they will continue their fight regardless of the political turmoil swirling in the White House and Congress. And appealing to a wide range of political opinions will certainly be helpful. For example, Proctor cites the efforts PIRG has made to work with veterans groups advocate for greater reparability in the military. Because it turns out that even active duty medical and military equipment is not immune to software crashes and being blocked by service updates that the user cannot fix themselves.
“We just have to get to work,” Proctor says. “I don’t want to make predictions like, ‘Oh, everything’s fine.’ Because I don’t know. I don’t have that information. But I do know that no matter which hand is dealt, we have things we can do to speak truth to power, protect our communities and move things forward.”