I was behind, so one more dump for today...

Even the NRA is against Trump team plan to ban trans people from owning firearms.
“NRA does not, and will not, support any policy proposals that implement sweeping gun bans that arbitrarily strip law-abiding citizens of their Second Amendment rights without due process,” the group said.
Gun Owners of America, another major gun rights lobbying group, said it “opposes any and all gun bans. Full stop.”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/even-nra-against-trump-team-164154658.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


Trump offered to let detained Korean workers stay in US, but all declined except for one person.
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/trump-offered-let-detained-korean-workers-stay-us-almost-all-heading-home-2025-09-11/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


In rare interviews, a dozen federal judges — appointed by Democratic and Republican presidents, including Trump — criticize Supreme Court's handling of Trump cases.
“Federal judges are frustrated with the Supreme Court for increasingly overturning lower court rulings involving the Trump administration with little or no explanation, with some worried the practice is undermining the judiciary at a sensitive time.
Some judges believe the Supreme Court, and in particular Chief Justice John Roberts, could be doing more to defend the integrity of their work as President Donald Trump and his allies harshly criticize those who rule against him and as violent threats against judges are on the rise.”
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-trump-cases-federal-judges-criticize-rcna221775?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


Three Virginia rural health clinics closing due to Trump’s budget law.
“Virginia Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears backed the law and recently falsely claimed it would not harm Virginians.”
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/health-care/three-virginia-rural-health-clinics-closing-due-to-trumps-budget-law


The United States stands to lose $30 billion in international tourism dollars this year.
“The United States stands to lose about $30 billion in international tourism this year, as the country’s political environment and strong dollar continue to deter foreign travelers from visiting.
In early 2025, the U.S. Travel Association projected foreign travel spending would rise to $200.8 billion this year.”
…
“The lost revenue is set to benefit other countries — notably Canada and Latin America — as travelers seek out other destinations or decide to stay within their own countries or regions.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/07/where-are-travelers-going-if-they-arent-going-to-the-us.html?link_source=ta_thread_link&taid=68bfdec64b8139000124cadf&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=threads


Americans give capitalism its lowest ever rating in new Gallup survey.
https://www.axios.com/2025/09/08/americans-capitalism-social-big-business-gallup-poll?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


Americans face biggest increase in health insurance costs in 15 years — UnitedHealth cites tarrifs from Trump’s trade wars as the reason.
https://archive.ph/Ndzzm#selection-1885.0-1885.69


Georgia, “Hollywood of the South,” is losing Marvel to the UK due to rising healthcare costs.
https://san.com/cc/hollywood-of-the-south-loses-marvel-productions-to-uk/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


Another California county is losing its only hospital after feds refuse to step in.
“[The move in this Republican county] will put 150 people out of work and send rural patients to neighboring counties for care.”
https://calmatters.org/health/2025/09/glenn-county-hospital-medicaid-lamalfa-oz-closure/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


National Guard inadvertenly emailed WaPo a new report showing how domestic missions rooted in politics risk damaging Americans’ trust in the military.
“The National Guard, in measuring public sentiment about President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of Washington, D.C., has assessed that its mission is perceived as “leveraging fear,” driving a “wedge between citizens and the military,” and promoting a sense of “shame” among some troops and veterans, according to internal documents reviewed by The Washington Post.”
https://archive.ph/zmnKY#selection-421.0-421.366


Judge issues nationwide block on Trump policy that cuts off Head Start for people in US illegally.
“https://apnews.com/article/trump-head-start-cc9b2cc96f67a8ddb6e15ae29de968d8?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


Social Security Update: Office to Help Recipients Slashed By Up to 94 Percent.
“n office that helps members of Congress serve Social Security recipients is facing cuts by up to 94 percent.
A former agency employee told the publication Government Executive that the Social Security Administration's Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs has reduced its worker count from around 50 to just three employees.”
https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-update-office-help-recipients-slashed-94-percent-2128973


Donald Trump's Approval Rating Nosedives In Key Battleground County He Won.
“According to new polling, 53 percent of people in Bucks County, a suburb of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, view Trump unfavorably while 42 percent see him favorably. This gives the President a net approval rating of -11 percentage points.”
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-approval-rating-pennsylvania-county-2128956


Nearly Half of Americans Say Trump Move Driving Up Their Credit Card Debt.
“In a recent survey by CardRates.com, 47 percent said tariffs had pushed them deeper into credit card debt, a figure that rose to 53 percent among millennials and 56 percent among Gen Zers.”
https://www.newsweek.com/americans-say-trump-driving-credit-card-debt-2128290


9/11 Health Program Cuts Could Hit Over 140K Americans—'Going to Get Worse'
"Mr. Trump was actually in favor of helping the 9/11 community, which is why I am dumbfounded now in 2025 when he has allowed Secretary Kennedy to make these vicious cuts to the whole—not just the health program, but to the entire CDC—which is endangering every American's health."
https://www.newsweek.com/9-11-attacks-world-trade-center-health-funding-cuts-2127136


The energy department said wind and solar capacity is ‘worthless’ without sunlight or wind. Elon Musk reminds DoE about batteries: ‘Um… hello?’
https://fortune.com/2025/09/08/energy-department-wind-solar-worthless-elon-musk-electric-battery-storage/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Ken Griffin, Republican Megadonor, Is Wall Street’s Loudest Trump Critic.
“Few on Wall Street are willing to publicly lob any criticism at President Trump. Hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin is an exception.
The founder and chief executive of investing giant Citadel, who is worth an estimated $50 billion and is among the largest Republican donors, has repeatedly voiced disagreement with Trump’s signature initiatives. Griffin has opined on everything from tariffs to mass deportations to the tax cuts and deficit impacts of the Republicans’ sprawling tax and spending legislation signed into law by Trump.”
https://apple.news/ABLGoO57CSjKQ3MUW-UxNWQ


NC’s Ted Budd breaks with party to send warning to Kristi Noem over Helene relief.
“Sen. Ted Budd used a vote Tuesday afternoon as a warning shot to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to stop delaying the release of funding for Helene relief to Western North Carolina.
It’s an unusual step for Budd, who almost always votes with President Donald Trump’s agenda.”
https://amp.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article312041637.html


‘He’s a nut’: Hill Republicans sour on Trump housing official Bill Pulte.
“Republicans on Capitol Hill are privately expressing growing discontent with a top Trump administration housing official who has thrust himself to the center of the president’s campaign against the Federal Reserve.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/09/republicans-congress-bessent-pulte-trump-00552586?campaign_id=4&emc=edit_dk_20250910&instance_id=162248&nl=dealbook®i_id=234891&segment_id=205623&user_id=ee4bfd47c510df58bf7b5cdb72438d77


Lawsuit: Three senior and lauded FBI agents at the bureau says Trump administration demanded loyalty for those staying at the bureau.
https://apple.news/AohLLdW_tTU6P22mO4jb0dw


Tariffs in July hit 80% of cars and parts from Mexico and Canada—WSJ Editorial Board.
“Mr. Trump in March slapped 25% tariffs on autos and parts in the name of protecting national security. Oh no, an invasion of Mexican Chevys! Manufacturers rushed to import parts and stockpile inventory to dodge the tariffs, but they started to face the full tariff impact in July.
…
The biggest victims are U.S. auto makers because they rely heavily on North American supply chains.”
https://apple.news/AwL9TM3YFQTKL3KycDeJALw


Sorry, Inflation Still Lives—WSJ Editorial Board.
“Our friends on Wall Street and in Washington keep saying that inflation is vanquished as they hope—plead—for lower interest rates. Yet the economic data aren’t bearing out their optimism, as the Labor Department’s consumer price report for August revealed on Thursday.

Consumer prices climbed 0.4% in August and 2.9% over the past year, both the most since January. Price increases last month were broad-based, hitting food consumed at home (0.6%), alcohol (0.6%), children’s shoes (1.5%), clothing (0.5%), new cars (0.3%), used cars (1.0%), housing (0.4%), hotels (2.6%), vehicle repair (5.0%), air fares (5.9%) and more.”
https://apple.news/AkO0oT9VOQE6f8Mx1ji3FLA


Black Homeownership Rates Drop As Economist Issues DEI Warning.
“The number of Black households owning their own homes has plunged across the nation, according to new data, in a drop that some economists think may be linked to the Trump administration's crackdown against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.”
https://www.newsweek.com/black-homeownership-rates-drop-economist-issues-dei-warning-2126761


Justice Barrett Weighs in on Trump Third-Term Talk.
“Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has weighed in on the constitutional viability of a potential third term for President Donald Trump, telling Fox News host Bret Baier that the 22nd Amendment's two-term limit is clear and unambiguous.”
https://www.newsweek.com/amy-coney-barrett-reacts-trump-rumblings-third-term-2126712


Poll: Trump is more responsible for the current state of the economy than to say Joe Biden is (57% vs. 22%).
“The share saying responsibility lies more with Trump than with Biden has increased steadily throughout Trump's second term.”
https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/52926-economic-concerns-ai-economic-effect-donald-trump-age-jeffrey-epstein-investigations-september-5-8-2025-economist-yougov-poll


Stagflation concerns rise with rising inflation and jobless claims.
“The consumer price index rose in August at a 2.9 percent annual rate, up from July. Jobless claims rose to highest level since 2021, as labor market weakens.”
https://apple.news/AZ63ffYlQSlOLLr82wUvOoQ


Trump’s Own Tweet Backfires on Him as Judge Delivers Harsh Loss on Fed.
“Yet buried in the ruling is an amusing tidbit worth highlighting: Judge Jia Cobb cited one of Trump’s own tweets to buttress the case that he’d acted unlawfully. The judge wrote that the timing of Trump’s initial tweet calling for Cook to resign suggested she’d been denied due process. Which opens a window into a bigger story: The lower courts are doing important work in creating concrete fact sets around Trump’s illegal actions that illustrate the deep rot of bad faith eating away at their core—thus exposing an essential element of his ongoing lawlessness.”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-own-tweet-backfires-him-161248720.html


Walmart and Target are allegedly forcing employees to remove tags on apparel to make it easier to jack up prices based on tariffs.
https://fortune.com/2025/09/02/walmart-target-allegedly-removing-price-tags-apparel-tik-tok/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


Quarterly demand for industrial warehouses sees first drop in 15 years.
“Demand to lease industrial spaces — meaning warehouses that store everything from car parts to construction materials — shrank by 11.3 million square feet in the second quarter of 2025. That’s the first quarterly decline in 15 years. And yep, a lot of it has to do with that “T” word.”
https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/09/05/why-warehouse-demand-dropped-for-the-first-time-in-15-years?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Woot, woot #freeDC success!

Trump is fine with letting his DC police takeover lapse, White House officials say.
“President Donald Trump doesn’t mind letting his 30-day takeover of Washington, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department lapse on Wednesday, White House officials told CNN — mainly because he feels the city has taken steps to cooperate.

Those officials argued the executive order signed by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser last week, which calls for indefinite collaboration with federal law enforcement, achieves their goals without an extension that would typically require congressional approval.”
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/10/politics/dc-police-takeover-end-trump-bowser

Judge Blocks Trump From Removing Fed Governor Lisa Cook

A federal judge ruled that Lisa Cook is "substantially likely" to prevail in her case that Trump can't arbitrarily fire her, so she stays a Fed Governor while the case works its way through the courts.
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/judge-blocks-trump-from-removing-fed-governor-lisa-cook-354c6d2b?st=QUDzJS

Trump Gets Called Hitler on First Ever D.C. Restaurant Trip.
“ Cheers and jeers followed Trump from the street into the seafood joint. Footage taken by the Washingtonian showed a small crowd hurling hurrahs and boos at Trump as he made his way into the establishment.

Another video obtained by CNN captured protesters holding up Palestine flags as they chanted “Free D.C., free Palestine, Trump is the Hitler of our time.” At one point, Trump could be seen staring down the hecklers while Hegseth, Rubio, and Vance stood in silence.”
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-79-dines-at-dc-restaurant-for-first-time-ever/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP posting headlines to show pushback, none of that matters. Trump is destroying the government and consolidating power so quickly it will be impossible to stop this democratic backsliding. We are at phase 5 out of 6. People need the wake up and DO SOMETHING.

What you ask? Learn about non-cooperation tactics because protesting is not enough.

Attend a Free DC orientation either in person or online. You do not need to be a DC resident. It’s just a good explainer of what is the authoritarian playbook, what phase we are in in the backsliding, hint phase 5 out of six! And what actions we can take. There’s a lot of touchy-feely/progressive/pronouns language, ignore that if you don’t like that. But the meat of it is very, very good.
https://freedcproject.org/event-list

I was going to report your post, but decided to respond. You are acting like a counter resister. Saying none of these Trump losses matter. But you’re wrong. They do. It’s all well and good to promote your organization but HTH do you think anyone will show up when you say “it’s impossible to stop this backslide?” That doesn’t motivate people.

I started this thread to protest people like you. There is hope. It won’t be easy, but there are cracks in the armor. By compiling these people should realize that all is not lost and there’s a better chance they will keep up the fighting spirit and get active.

I find it disheartening that you would tell me my resistance work doesn’t matter.

OP I in no way was trying to offend you, but I think it’s really important that we are dealing with reality. I am not a member of FREE DC. I went to an orientation last night. They gave a good presentation of and laid out steps of democratic backsliding to authoritarianism. They commented that when they gave the presentation in February, we were on step two, we are now on step five.

Trump is consolidating power at a rapid pace, and the “wins” that you are pointing to might make us feel good, but they aren’t doing anything. We must do more. Look at the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday.

I am no way trying to dissuade people from having any hope but we all need to do more. I was trying to give people tangible things they can do besides reading headlines that make you feel good.

So you go to a single meeting of one organization and suddenly you're an expert in resistance movements?!?!

Have you even read this thread? You say "it's important that we are dealing with reality" and yet, every single thing posted here is REALITY.

For you to say these are "headlines that make you feel good" is incredibly insulting to all the prosecutors, attorney generals, and governors who have brought cases against this administration. It's insulting to all the colleges and organizations who have stood up and joined amicus briefs. It's insulting to the Republicans who helped a Democrat avoid censure or are finally starting to speak out. It's insulting to all the journalists and news outlets who have posted articles critical of this administration (go Newsweek!).

You don't have to agree with me that it's helpful to record how this administration is screwing up and hurting the very people who voted for him. It may very well influence an independent voter to vote against Republicans given the scope of their destruction, which is easy to read in these digests and also provides sources.

You're also blatantly wrong that protests don't matter to bring down authoritarian regimes. Protests were effective, along with other resistance efforts, in Chile (1980s), Serbia (2000), and Tunisia/Arab Spring (2010). It's insulting to the tens of thousands who have been protesting in every state in the country to say their voices don't matter.

Here are two research papers on protests, what works and what does not. The second one just came out and says: "Lower income classes join economic protests that dictators more often accommodate, but higher income classes join political protests that dictators tend to repress."

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2025.2462250?mi=42qnvu#abstract
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2025.2462250?mi=42qnvu#abstract

Further, humor has been widely effective as a tool against authoritarian regimes because they create "dilemma actions," which puts these regimes in lose/lose situations. It's an act of subversion when protestors bring a baby Trump blimp and have massive bald, fat Vance signs on the sides of trucks. We need to be even more creative.
https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/humour-can-be-powerful-and-non-violent-tactic-protesting-against-authoritarian-regimes-it

Finally, stop with the doom and gloom because, as I already stated, for most people that's overwhelming and not motivating. Your browbeating is not helping anyone. If you don't like this thread, see yourself out.

I didn't say protesting didn't matter, but it's the floor, not the ceiling. And I'm not gloom and doom. But it's really frustrating to see institutions like Big Law and higher ed cave to Trump. To see our elected "leaders" still not have a plan. The meeting I cited wasn't my first; I've been in this space for a while. I was just reflecting on the speed of destruction. You cannot say with a straight face that Americans, our institutions are holding, or that there is any real resistance.

You’re insufferable. And that’s exactly what you said. You didn’t read anything I wrote and you continue to demean everyone resisted or spoke out and thus made the headlines in this thread.

Please see yourself out of here and start your own with your own thread on how to school everyone in resistance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP posting headlines to show pushback, none of that matters. Trump is destroying the government and consolidating power so quickly it will be impossible to stop this democratic backsliding. We are at phase 5 out of 6. People need the wake up and DO SOMETHING.

What you ask? Learn about non-cooperation tactics because protesting is not enough.

Attend a Free DC orientation either in person or online. You do not need to be a DC resident. It’s just a good explainer of what is the authoritarian playbook, what phase we are in in the backsliding, hint phase 5 out of six! And what actions we can take. There’s a lot of touchy-feely/progressive/pronouns language, ignore that if you don’t like that. But the meat of it is very, very good.
https://freedcproject.org/event-list

I was going to report your post, but decided to respond. You are acting like a counter resister. Saying none of these Trump losses matter. But you’re wrong. They do. It’s all well and good to promote your organization but HTH do you think anyone will show up when you say “it’s impossible to stop this backslide?” That doesn’t motivate people.

I started this thread to protest people like you. There is hope. It won’t be easy, but there are cracks in the armor. By compiling these people should realize that all is not lost and there’s a better chance they will keep up the fighting spirit and get active.

I find it disheartening that you would tell me my resistance work doesn’t matter.

OP I in no way was trying to offend you, but I think it’s really important that we are dealing with reality. I am not a member of FREE DC. I went to an orientation last night. They gave a good presentation of and laid out steps of democratic backsliding to authoritarianism. They commented that when they gave the presentation in February, we were on step two, we are now on step five.

Trump is consolidating power at a rapid pace, and the “wins” that you are pointing to might make us feel good, but they aren’t doing anything. We must do more. Look at the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday.

I am no way trying to dissuade people from having any hope but we all need to do more. I was trying to give people tangible things they can do besides reading headlines that make you feel good.

So you go to a single meeting of one organization and suddenly you're an expert in resistance movements?!?!

Have you even read this thread? You say "it's important that we are dealing with reality" and yet, every single thing posted here is REALITY.

For you to say these are "headlines that make you feel good" is incredibly insulting to all the prosecutors, attorney generals, and governors who have brought cases against this administration. It's insulting to all the colleges and organizations who have stood up and joined amicus briefs. It's insulting to the Republicans who helped a Democrat avoid censure or are finally starting to speak out. It's insulting to all the journalists and news outlets who have posted articles critical of this administration (go Newsweek!).

You don't have to agree with me that it's helpful to record how this administration is screwing up and hurting the very people who voted for him. It may very well influence an independent voter to vote against Republicans given the scope of their destruction, which is easy to read in these digests and also provides sources.

You're also blatantly wrong that protests don't matter to bring down authoritarian regimes. Protests were effective, along with other resistance efforts, in Chile (1980s), Serbia (2000), and Tunisia/Arab Spring (2010). It's insulting to the tens of thousands who have been protesting in every state in the country to say their voices don't matter.

Here are two research papers on protests, what works and what does not. The second one just came out and says: "Lower income classes join economic protests that dictators more often accommodate, but higher income classes join political protests that dictators tend to repress."

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2025.2462250?mi=42qnvu#abstract
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2025.2462250?mi=42qnvu#abstract

Further, humor has been widely effective as a tool against authoritarian regimes because they create "dilemma actions," which puts these regimes in lose/lose situations. It's an act of subversion when protestors bring a baby Trump blimp and have massive bald, fat Vance signs on the sides of trucks. We need to be even more creative.
https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/humour-can-be-powerful-and-non-violent-tactic-protesting-against-authoritarian-regimes-it

Finally, stop with the doom and gloom because, as I already stated, for most people that's overwhelming and not motivating. Your browbeating is not helping anyone. If you don't like this thread, see yourself out.

I didn't say protesting didn't matter, but it's the floor, not the ceiling. And I'm not gloom and doom. But it's really frustrating to see institutions like Big Law and higher ed cave to Trump. To see our elected "leaders" still not have a plan. The meeting I cited wasn't my first; I've been in this space for a while. I was just reflecting on the speed of destruction. You cannot say with a straight face that Americans, our institutions are holding, or that there is any real resistance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP posting headlines to show pushback, none of that matters. Trump is destroying the government and consolidating power so quickly it will be impossible to stop this democratic backsliding. We are at phase 5 out of 6. People need the wake up and DO SOMETHING.

What you ask? Learn about non-cooperation tactics because protesting is not enough.

Attend a Free DC orientation either in person or online. You do not need to be a DC resident. It’s just a good explainer of what is the authoritarian playbook, what phase we are in in the backsliding, hint phase 5 out of six! And what actions we can take. There’s a lot of touchy-feely/progressive/pronouns language, ignore that if you don’t like that. But the meat of it is very, very good.
https://freedcproject.org/event-list

I was going to report your post, but decided to respond. You are acting like a counter resister. Saying none of these Trump losses matter. But you’re wrong. They do. It’s all well and good to promote your organization but HTH do you think anyone will show up when you say “it’s impossible to stop this backslide?” That doesn’t motivate people.

I started this thread to protest people like you. There is hope. It won’t be easy, but there are cracks in the armor. By compiling these people should realize that all is not lost and there’s a better chance they will keep up the fighting spirit and get active.

I find it disheartening that you would tell me my resistance work doesn’t matter.

OP I in no way was trying to offend you, but I think it’s really important that we are dealing with reality. I am not a member of FREE DC. I went to an orientation last night. They gave a good presentation of and laid out steps of democratic backsliding to authoritarianism. They commented that when they gave the presentation in February, we were on step two, we are now on step five.

Trump is consolidating power at a rapid pace, and the “wins” that you are pointing to might make us feel good, but they aren’t doing anything. We must do more. Look at the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday.

I am no way trying to dissuade people from having any hope but we all need to do more. I was trying to give people tangible things they can do besides reading headlines that make you feel good.

There is no way out of Trump becoming the king of the US by 2026.

Prepare now. If you don't you are foolish.

Actually there are multiple ways out. Think about it.
And ominously telling people to “prepare now” without suggesting what such preparations might look like is the opposite of being helpful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah but then Trump always ask SCOTUS for an emergency hearing. And they always seem to take up his request and side with him. So all this seems like “temporary wins.”

Understood, but I try to focus on the losses. Trump wouldn't make it to the Supreme Court if he'd won in lower courts. It's a loss. That's the way to ultimate defeat. He wants us to get bogged down by his wins (and chaos!), so we'll give up. That's why I look for and post the losses.

The shadow docket is infuriating and while he's been granted most of his emergency applications, it hasn't been 100%:

High volume of requests: During Trump's second term (beginning January 2025), his administration has filed a very high number of emergency applications. In the first 20 weeks, his administration filed 19 such requests, compared to 8 filed over 16 years by the Bush and Obama administrations combined.


High rate of approval, but not guaranteed: While the Supreme Court has granted a majority of these emergency requests, it has also rejected some. As of September 4, 2025, during his second term, the court granted 17 of 23 emergency requests from his administration, rejected two, and resolved others without a decision.

I love your optimism. It’s hard for me to join you. For example, a judge recently ruled that Trump illegally deployed the national guard to California. But he is ignoring it and proceeding with sending the guard to Chicago or something worse. He tweeted “Chicago is about to find out why it’s called the Department of War.” To me this screams sending in marines or army and of course, ICE. WTF. How do we win against this? I don’t trust members of the military to defy orders to attack American citizens. They will absolutely follow orders because some want to do this. And others are afraid.

He’s been threatening to send national guard to Chicago for nearly two weeks and still hasn’t. Don’t obey in advance.

Anything to get people to stop talking about Jeff Epstein and their (Donny and Jeff's) penchant for the young...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP posting headlines to show pushback, none of that matters. Trump is destroying the government and consolidating power so quickly it will be impossible to stop this democratic backsliding. We are at phase 5 out of 6. People need the wake up and DO SOMETHING.

What you ask? Learn about non-cooperation tactics because protesting is not enough.

Attend a Free DC orientation either in person or online. You do not need to be a DC resident. It’s just a good explainer of what is the authoritarian playbook, what phase we are in in the backsliding, hint phase 5 out of six! And what actions we can take. There’s a lot of touchy-feely/progressive/pronouns language, ignore that if you don’t like that. But the meat of it is very, very good.
https://freedcproject.org/event-list

I was going to report your post, but decided to respond. You are acting like a counter resister. Saying none of these Trump losses matter. But you’re wrong. They do. It’s all well and good to promote your organization but HTH do you think anyone will show up when you say “it’s impossible to stop this backslide?” That doesn’t motivate people.

I started this thread to protest people like you. There is hope. It won’t be easy, but there are cracks in the armor. By compiling these people should realize that all is not lost and there’s a better chance they will keep up the fighting spirit and get active.

I find it disheartening that you would tell me my resistance work doesn’t matter.

OP I in no way was trying to offend you, but I think it’s really important that we are dealing with reality. I am not a member of FREE DC. I went to an orientation last night. They gave a good presentation of and laid out steps of democratic backsliding to authoritarianism. They commented that when they gave the presentation in February, we were on step two, we are now on step five.

Trump is consolidating power at a rapid pace, and the “wins” that you are pointing to might make us feel good, but they aren’t doing anything. We must do more. Look at the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday.

I am no way trying to dissuade people from having any hope but we all need to do more. I was trying to give people tangible things they can do besides reading headlines that make you feel good.

There is no way out of Trump becoming the king of the US by 2026.

Prepare now. If you don't you are foolish.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP posting headlines to show pushback, none of that matters. Trump is destroying the government and consolidating power so quickly it will be impossible to stop this democratic backsliding. We are at phase 5 out of 6. People need the wake up and DO SOMETHING.

What you ask? Learn about non-cooperation tactics because protesting is not enough.

Attend a Free DC orientation either in person or online. You do not need to be a DC resident. It’s just a good explainer of what is the authoritarian playbook, what phase we are in in the backsliding, hint phase 5 out of six! And what actions we can take. There’s a lot of touchy-feely/progressive/pronouns language, ignore that if you don’t like that. But the meat of it is very, very good.
https://freedcproject.org/event-list

I was going to report your post, but decided to respond. You are acting like a counter resister. Saying none of these Trump losses matter. But you’re wrong. They do. It’s all well and good to promote your organization but HTH do you think anyone will show up when you say “it’s impossible to stop this backslide?” That doesn’t motivate people.

I started this thread to protest people like you. There is hope. It won’t be easy, but there are cracks in the armor. By compiling these people should realize that all is not lost and there’s a better chance they will keep up the fighting spirit and get active.

I find it disheartening that you would tell me my resistance work doesn’t matter.

OP I in no way was trying to offend you, but I think it’s really important that we are dealing with reality. I am not a member of FREE DC. I went to an orientation last night. They gave a good presentation of and laid out steps of democratic backsliding to authoritarianism. They commented that when they gave the presentation in February, we were on step two, we are now on step five.

Trump is consolidating power at a rapid pace, and the “wins” that you are pointing to might make us feel good, but they aren’t doing anything. We must do more. Look at the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday.

I am no way trying to dissuade people from having any hope but we all need to do more. I was trying to give people tangible things they can do besides reading headlines that make you feel good.

So you go to a single meeting of one organization and suddenly you're an expert in resistance movements?!?!

Have you even read this thread? You say "it's important that we are dealing with reality" and yet, every single thing posted here is REALITY.

For you to say these are "headlines that make you feel good" is incredibly insulting to all the prosecutors, attorney generals, and governors who have brought cases against this administration. It's insulting to all the colleges and organizations who have stood up and joined amicus briefs. It's insulting to the Republicans who helped a Democrat avoid censure or are finally starting to speak out. It's insulting to all the journalists and news outlets who have posted articles critical of this administration (go Newsweek!).

You don't have to agree with me that it's helpful to record how this administration is screwing up and hurting the very people who voted for him. It may very well influence an independent voter to vote against Republicans given the scope of their destruction, which is easy to read in these digests and also provides sources.

You're also blatantly wrong that protests don't matter to bring down authoritarian regimes. Protests were effective, along with other resistance efforts, in Chile (1980s), Serbia (2000), and Tunisia/Arab Spring (2010). It's insulting to the tens of thousands who have been protesting in every state in the country to say their voices don't matter.

Here are two research papers on protests, what works and what does not. The second one just came out and says: "Lower income classes join economic protests that dictators more often accommodate, but higher income classes join political protests that dictators tend to repress."

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2025.2462250?mi=42qnvu#abstract
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2025.2462250?mi=42qnvu#abstract

Further, humor has been widely effective as a tool against authoritarian regimes because they create "dilemma actions," which puts these regimes in lose/lose situations. It's an act of subversion when protestors bring a baby Trump blimp and have massive bald, fat Vance signs on the sides of trucks. We need to be even more creative.
https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/humour-can-be-powerful-and-non-violent-tactic-protesting-against-authoritarian-regimes-it

Finally, stop with the doom and gloom because, as I already stated, for most people that's overwhelming and not motivating. Your browbeating is not helping anyone. If you don't like this thread, see yourself out.

"doom and gloom"

In November of 2026 there will be no elecitons you don't consider that "doom and gloom"

Cleta Mitchell has already told you what they are going to do.

We are about to lose the US and all freedom to the dumbest dictatorship on the planet. Hell in the Universe.

Oops, sorry. Here's the link for the new research paper on protests: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11127-025-01316-y

I also missed a lot of groups you insulted: experts and associations coming out in large groups against this administration, whistleblowers, and on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP posting headlines to show pushback, none of that matters. Trump is destroying the government and consolidating power so quickly it will be impossible to stop this democratic backsliding. We are at phase 5 out of 6. People need the wake up and DO SOMETHING.

What you ask? Learn about non-cooperation tactics because protesting is not enough.

Attend a Free DC orientation either in person or online. You do not need to be a DC resident. It’s just a good explainer of what is the authoritarian playbook, what phase we are in in the backsliding, hint phase 5 out of six! And what actions we can take. There’s a lot of touchy-feely/progressive/pronouns language, ignore that if you don’t like that. But the meat of it is very, very good.
https://freedcproject.org/event-list

I was going to report your post, but decided to respond. You are acting like a counter resister. Saying none of these Trump losses matter. But you’re wrong. They do. It’s all well and good to promote your organization but HTH do you think anyone will show up when you say “it’s impossible to stop this backslide?” That doesn’t motivate people.

I started this thread to protest people like you. There is hope. It won’t be easy, but there are cracks in the armor. By compiling these people should realize that all is not lost and there’s a better chance they will keep up the fighting spirit and get active.

I find it disheartening that you would tell me my resistance work doesn’t matter.

OP I in no way was trying to offend you, but I think it’s really important that we are dealing with reality. I am not a member of FREE DC. I went to an orientation last night. They gave a good presentation of and laid out steps of democratic backsliding to authoritarianism. They commented that when they gave the presentation in February, we were on step two, we are now on step five.

Trump is consolidating power at a rapid pace, and the “wins” that you are pointing to might make us feel good, but they aren’t doing anything. We must do more. Look at the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday.

I am no way trying to dissuade people from having any hope but we all need to do more. I was trying to give people tangible things they can do besides reading headlines that make you feel good.

So you go to a single meeting of one organization and suddenly you're an expert in resistance movements?!?!

Have you even read this thread? You say "it's important that we are dealing with reality" and yet, every single thing posted here is REALITY.

For you to say these are "headlines that make you feel good" is incredibly insulting to all the prosecutors, attorney generals, and governors who have brought cases against this administration. It's insulting to all the colleges and organizations who have stood up and joined amicus briefs. It's insulting to the Republicans who helped a Democrat avoid censure or are finally starting to speak out. It's insulting to all the journalists and news outlets who have posted articles critical of this administration (go Newsweek!).

You don't have to agree with me that it's helpful to record how this administration is screwing up and hurting the very people who voted for him. It may very well influence an independent voter to vote against Republicans given the scope of their destruction, which is easy to read in these digests and also provides sources.

You're also blatantly wrong that protests don't matter to bring down authoritarian regimes. Protests were effective, along with other resistance efforts, in Chile (1980s), Serbia (2000), and Tunisia/Arab Spring (2010). It's insulting to the tens of thousands who have been protesting in every state in the country to say their voices don't matter.

Here are two research papers on protests, what works and what does not. The second one just came out and says: "Lower income classes join economic protests that dictators more often accommodate, but higher income classes join political protests that dictators tend to repress."

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2025.2462250?mi=42qnvu#abstract
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2025.2462250?mi=42qnvu#abstract

Further, humor has been widely effective as a tool against authoritarian regimes because they create "dilemma actions," which puts these regimes in lose/lose situations. It's an act of subversion when protestors bring a baby Trump blimp and have massive bald, fat Vance signs on the sides of trucks. We need to be even more creative.
https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/humour-can-be-powerful-and-non-violent-tactic-protesting-against-authoritarian-regimes-it

Finally, stop with the doom and gloom because, as I already stated, for most people that's overwhelming and not motivating. Your browbeating is not helping anyone. If you don't like this thread, see yourself out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP posting headlines to show pushback, none of that matters. Trump is destroying the government and consolidating power so quickly it will be impossible to stop this democratic backsliding. We are at phase 5 out of 6. People need the wake up and DO SOMETHING.

What you ask? Learn about non-cooperation tactics because protesting is not enough.

Attend a Free DC orientation either in person or online. You do not need to be a DC resident. It’s just a good explainer of what is the authoritarian playbook, what phase we are in in the backsliding, hint phase 5 out of six! And what actions we can take. There’s a lot of touchy-feely/progressive/pronouns language, ignore that if you don’t like that. But the meat of it is very, very good.
https://freedcproject.org/event-list

I was going to report your post, but decided to respond. You are acting like a counter resister. Saying none of these Trump losses matter. But you’re wrong. They do. It’s all well and good to promote your organization but HTH do you think anyone will show up when you say “it’s impossible to stop this backslide?” That doesn’t motivate people.

I started this thread to protest people like you. There is hope. It won’t be easy, but there are cracks in the armor. By compiling these people should realize that all is not lost and there’s a better chance they will keep up the fighting spirit and get active.

I find it disheartening that you would tell me my resistance work doesn’t matter.

OP I in no way was trying to offend you, but I think it’s really important that we are dealing with reality. I am not a member of FREE DC. I went to an orientation last night. They gave a good presentation of and laid out steps of democratic backsliding to authoritarianism. They commented that when they gave the presentation in February, we were on step two, we are now on step five.

Trump is consolidating power at a rapid pace, and the “wins” that you are pointing to might make us feel good, but they aren’t doing anything. We must do more. Look at the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday.

I am no way trying to dissuade people from having any hope but we all need to do more. I was trying to give people tangible things they can do besides reading headlines that make you feel good.

Anonymous wrote:To the OP posting headlines to show pushback, none of that matters. Trump is destroying the government and consolidating power so quickly it will be impossible to stop this democratic backsliding. We are at phase 5 out of 6. People need the wake up and DO SOMETHING.

What you ask? Learn about non-cooperation tactics because protesting is not enough.

Attend a Free DC orientation either in person or online. You do not need to be a DC resident. It’s just a good explainer of what is the authoritarian playbook, what phase we are in in the backsliding, hint phase 5 out of six! And what actions we can take. There’s a lot of touchy-feely/progressive/pronouns language, ignore that if you don’t like that. But the meat of it is very, very good.
https://freedcproject.org/event-list

I was going to report your post, but decided to respond. You are acting like a counter resister. Saying none of these Trump losses matter. But you’re wrong. They do. It’s all well and good to promote your organization but HTH do you think anyone will show up when you say “it’s impossible to stop this backslide?” That doesn’t motivate people.

I started this thread to protest people like you. There is hope. It won’t be easy, but there are cracks in the armor. By compiling these people should realize that all is not lost and there’s a better chance they will keep up the fighting spirit and get active.

I find it disheartening that you would tell me my resistance work doesn’t matter.