Washington's 1796 warnings on factions cited amid 2026 polarization

A Washington Examiner commentary states that political polarization is the main cause of division in 2026. It says politics now extends beyond elections into online culture, sports, music, and entertainment. The commentary notes that many Americans judge fellow citizens primarily by political affiliation. It attributes much of the segmentation to social media and the 24-hour news cycle.

Washington's 1796 address The commentary quotes President George Washington's 1796 farewell address on the risks of factions. Washington warned that parties could substitute their will for the nation's and turn public administration into a reflection of partisan projects.

He also cautioned that alternating domination by factions, sharpened by revenge, could produce despotism. The commentary says these warnings remain relevant centuries later.

Application to present divisions The commentary states that ideological differences now drive more division than regional ones. It says loyalty to party or politician can displace loyalty to the nation and its principles. The piece notes that this tendency exists on both sides and is not new.

It concludes that the American experiment has endured long enough to reach a semiquincentennial, yet the country remains relatively young by historical standards.