‘The wheels are coming off’: readers reflect on the 250th anniversary of the American experiment

‘American readers described a country they believe has lost credibility on the world stage and reached a “tipping point”.’ Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary on 4 July, the country faces a turbulent moment under the Donald Trump administration.

The anniversary coincides with sweeping rollbacks of civil rights, deteriorating relations with traditional allies and growing domestic opposition to the administration’s handling of immigration and free speech. Against this backdrop, many Americans say they feel increasingly cynical about the country’s future.