Three years ago last November I watched the voting result come in. Incrementally, then all at once, I and the rest of the world, realised that Donald Trump, the original bridge and tunnel guy, wannabe master of the universe, who peddled racist conspiracies and praised autocrats, would become the president of these United States of America.

Trump’s election and presidency made a mockery of American democratic ideals. His election made a mockery of my life history and patriotism. In that moment, I had never felt further away – both in geography and in spirit – from America, the country that inspired my family to leave everything behind, and start anew; a country that inspired my career in public service and national security.