The thing about China’s CCP is that, while they have no regard for human rights, their actions are still rooted in reality. So, yes, they will storm your protest with armed agents; they will also build efficient public transport and invest in healthcare for their citizens.

The USA federal government long held the motto of indifference. They enforced little, and imposed little. Atrocities still occurred, of course (Slavery, Native genocide, anti-immigrant sentiment); but many of those atrocities were at the state level, and all were supported by the (recognized white male) people.

The War on Crime and its War on Drugs was where the USA went completely off the rails into “smash and crash” territory; wielding the power of the state with no consideration of the impact. Now you have federal agents breaking into peoples homes; while still glorifying the idea of “small government” and being a “self-starter”.

The people of USAmerica know their government only as something to fear, and not as a bedrock to rely on; and this mentality of violence and conflict extends to all aspects of life. This is the sentiment that empowers Reaganomics, fear of single-payer healthcare, the anti-vaxx and MAHA movements, etc. This is also why so many folks are “opting out”; contributing to declining birth rates, antisocial radicals, etc.

There is no trust, nor should there be. Living in the USA means trying to survive in spite of the systems around you; and not within them; regardless of who you are. There is no “staying in line”. Even outspoken MAGA cheerleaders are getting fucked. There is only the targeted, and yet-to-be targeted. This is America.