In her "Profile of a Nation", published on October 1, 2020, Lee warned of a violent reaction after an election loss, stating, "he is truly someone who would do anything, no matter how terrible, no matter how destructive, to stay in power." Bill Moyers, who interviewed her shortly after the January 6, 2021 Trump-incited U.S. Capitol attack, called her "the least surprised person in the country." He had praised her 2017 book as "profound, illuminating and discomforting." On January 9, 2021, Lee was among World Mental Health Coalition colleagues who called for quick removal of Trump from office, and made recommendations regarding how to encourage his loyal followers to fall away from his influence.