The 12th Annual Szymanski-USAI Rule of Law program took place in Washington D.C. from June 24th to July 19th, 2019. Over their 4-week stay in the capital, the 2019 Rule of Law fellows met with high-ranking members of all three branches of the US federal government, as well as with a large number of private sector experts and leaders from the DC NGO, business, finance, advocacy, and legal communities. In addition to the regular course of meetings during each week, the fellows had the opportunity to visit New York City over the 4th of July weekend, and to spend a day driving around several small cities and townships in central Virginia. Overall, they received a rare glimpse of the inner workings of the American political, governmental, and legal systems, as well as of the daily life of Americans in not only some of the nation's busiest urban centers, but also in some of the most vibrant and quintessentially 'American' rural areas. Arriving in the capital at this challenging and consequential moment in the US-China relationship, the fellows were able to hear concerns from policy influencers themselves, and to experience first-hand the palpable energy and earnestness of some of those most committed to its continued strength and prosperity.