I started watching Shonda Rhimes’ “Scandal” expecting drama, and I got it. I have not been able to stop thinking about the political thriller — the drama, the government and the scandals. But above all, it has made me question the very government I have spent my whole life under.
For those unfamiliar with “Scandal,” I recommend you start watching it. The series centers on crisis manager Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, who runs a high-profile firm that “fixes” the public relations disasters and scandals of Washington D.C.’s political elite. The show follows Pope and her team as they handle crises while simultaneously managing their own personal catastrophes, including Olivia’s intense and turbulent affair with the president of the United States.
Though exaggerated, “Scandal” offered me insight into what the hidden world of politicians and senior government officials might look like. As someone who hopes to work in politics one day, the show’s portrayal made me wonder how much of what I was watching reflected reality. If even part of it did, I would find it deeply unsettling. I was especially curious whether real-life Olivia Popes existed, even if not to the same degree.
Interestingly, I learned that “Scandal” was inspired by the work of Judy Smith, a former White House deputy press secretary who later became a high-profile crisis manager, much like the fictional Olivia Pope. Smith advised figures, including Monica Lewinsky and Michael Vick through major public controversies.
During crises, communications advisers can play an important role in shaping how the public understands events and perceives political leaders. Positive trust in the government can positively influence leaders’ ability to govern, making crisis managers a significant, though often unrecognized, part of modern politics. Though these advisors are not elected officials, they can shape public perception during moments of high national attention.
Smith worked in the administration of President George H. W. Bush, who is sometimes compared to the fictional President Fitzgerald Grant of “Scandal.” Grant, a Republican who frequently governs from the political center, often pursues bipartisan solutions throughout the series.
Although “Scandal” first aired in 2012 during President Obama’s first term, the show still feels relevant at a time when questions about executive authority remain prevalent.
Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has relied heavily on executive orders to advance his political agenda. According to the Federal Register, Trump signed 225 executive orders in 2025 alone. Pew Research Center reported that no president had issued more than 100 executive orders during the first year of a presidential term since President Harry S. Truman in 1945.
Critics argue that one of Trump’s political strategies has been to intensify partisan divisions in ways that strengthen support among his political base. The Democratic Erosion Consortium, for example, argues that Trump’s rhetoric toward Democrats has contributed to exaggerated and deeper political polarization.
Today’s political climate often reduces both major parties to their loudest voices. One of the reasons Scandal resonated with me is that President Grant challenges many of the preconceived notions people now associate with modern Republican politics. Even today, American politics includes moderates, principled conservatives, independents and Democrats whose views do not fit perfectly into ideological extremes. As a Democrat, I do not believe political disagreement should automatically become personal hostility.
At this point, the debate isn’t about left vs. right — it’s about truth vs. deception, and accountability vs. power. As a young American, it is important for me to stay educated, to learn, to grow, to expose myself to multiple perspectives, to connect and engage with my government, and to recognize when I may be influenced by people in power.
Guillermo Diaz, Columbus Short, Jeff Perry, Tony Goldwyn, Henry Ian Cusick, Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes and Kerry Washington in ‘Scandal.’.
Credit : Craig Sjodin / ©ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection
“Scandal” reminds me that politics does not have to be defined by polarization. It challenged me to imagine a government where bipartisan cooperation is still possible and where accountability matters more than power. Manipulation exists, but so does hope for reform. I believe it is up to my generation, and those that follow, to inherit democracy thoughtfully, challenge those in power and work towards a less fragmented political future.
