Fight Back, Feel Better

 

The whole point of the Trump/ Musk assault on American democratic institutions in the weeks since January 20 has been to overwhelm their opponents, to create a sense of inevitability and momentum while they illegally and un-Constitutionally remake the government into an authoritarian state to benefit the oligarchs and Christofascists. And they have allies -- exhaustion and disillusionment.  We understand;  we had to take a lengthy break after the election ourselves.  But we found that, once we recharged, we personally felt better doing something rather than nothing, no matter how insignificant a contribution to the resistance we might make.  

If you're already engaged in resisting the assault on our democratic institutions in whatever fashion suits you, you're a true patriot.  But whether you are or aren't ready to engage just yet, we can relay some ideas on what we can all do to fight back in this moment, to stop or slow the momentum of the Trump/ Musk coup, and to exert the agency of the nearly 75 million of us who didn't vote for a fascist, authoritarian takeover.  The pushback on the Trump/ Musk tariffs on our neighbors may have forestalled a ruinous trade war, Trump's latest harebrained idea to "take over Gaza" is even getting resistance from some of his cowering minions, and resistance to the Musk tech tot government computer break-ins is mounting.  Always keep in mind, we're resisting incompetents here, who are getting more and more unpopular as their sabotage continues.

Former Labor Department Secretary Robert Reich had a practical set of 10 recommendations for resisting the Trump/ Musk fascism.  Here are a few of them (more at the link):

Protect the decent and hardworking members of your communities who are undocumented or whose parents are undocumented

... One of Trump’s new executive orders allows Ice to arrest undocumented immigrants at or near schools, places of worship, healthcare sites, shelters and relief centers – thereby deterring them from sending their kids to school or getting help they need.

If you trust your mayor or city manager, check in with their offices to see what they are doing to protect vulnerable families in your community. Join others in voluntary efforts to keep Ice away from schools, hospitals and shelters.

Organize and mobilize your community to support it as a sanctuary city, and to support your state as a sanctuary state. Trump’s justice department is already launching investigations of cities and states that go against federal immigration orders, laying the groundwork for legal challenges to local laws and forcing compliance with the executive branch. Your voice and organizing could be helpful in fighting back...

Protect LGBTQ+ members of your community

Trump may make life far more difficult for those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and of other expansive identities through executive orders, changes in laws, alterations in civil rights laws or changes in how such laws are enforced.

His election and his rhetoric might also unleash hatefulness by bigoted people in your community.

I urge you to work with others in being vigilant against prejudice and bigotry, wherever it might break out. When you see or hear it, call it out. Join with others to stop it. If you trust your local city officials, get them involved. If you trust your local police, alert them as well.

Participate or organize boycotts of companies that are enabling the Trump regime, starting with Elon Musk’s X and Tesla, and any companies that advertise on X or on Fox News

Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of consumer boycotts. Corporations invest heavily in their brand names and the goodwill associated with them. Loud, boisterous, attention-getting boycotts can harm brand names and reduce the prices of corporations’ shares of stock.

To the extent you are able, fund groups that are litigating against Trump

Much of the action over the next months and years will be in the federal courts. The groups initiating legislation that I know and trust include the American Civil Liberties Union, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Environmental Defense Fund and Common Cause.

Push for progressive measures in your community and state

Local and state governments have significant power. Join groups that are moving your city or state forward, in contrast to regressive moves at the federal level. Lobby, instigate, organize and fundraise for progressive legislators. Support progressive leaders.

Keep the faith. Do not give up on America

Remember, Trump won the popular vote by only one and a half points. By any historical measure, this was a squeaker. In the House, the Republicans’ five-seat lead is the smallest since the Great Depression. In the Senate, Republicans lost half of 2024’s competitive Senate races, including in four states Trump won.

America has deep problems, to be sure. Which is why we can’t give up on it – or give up the fights for social justice, equal political rights, equal opportunity and the rule of law. The forces of Trumpian repression and neofascism would like nothing better than for us to give up. Then they’d win it all. But we cannot allow them to.

We will never give up.

Former federal prosecutor Brendan Ballou says protests are more powerful that they might imagine, especially when targeted at career government officials:

... [T]he first Trump administration was often pressured into dropping unpopular policies. Faced with external — and based on my own experience, I suspect internal — opposition, the administration abandoned various plans to deport migrants who were gravely ill, to fine others hundreds of thousands of dollars, and to revoke visas for many international students. The first Trump administration gave up on efforts that received relatively little attention — a plan to close or privatize centers to train firefighters, for instance — as well as those that received a great deal, such as the president’s scheme to halt military aid to Ukraine. Under pressure, the administration even gave up on signature policies: In the face of overwhelming public opposition, for example, the president disavowed his policy of separating migrant children from their parents, even before a court order required him to do so.

What these examples show is that resistance can work. But my own experience suggests such resistance works best if it’s targeted well. It’s largely ineffective for protesters to focus their energy on the government’s top decision-makers, such as the president and his political appointees. On most issues, these people have made up their minds. Protest won’t sway them, and may in fact tempt their antidemocratic instincts. But virtually every government policy must be developed and implemented by people far below those appointees. These people — who swear an independent oath to protect the Constitution — can be affected by public influence, and as public servants, should be. Activism can help them understand issues, and empower them to speak up against illegal or unjust policies. That’s true, even as Trump tries to purge the federal government of anyone who won’t be completely loyal to him.  [snip]

...[T]he new administration has had mixed success purging its perceived opponents, and some offices have thus far been able to resist illegal mass firings. Second, while court orders to stop such illegal firings might not mean much to someone like Elon Musk, they can mean a lot to the lawyers who can be disbarred — or the lackeys who can be jailed — for ignoring them. Third, to the extent the administration wants to do more than simply cut the size of government — an issue that, notably, does not seem to particularly interest the president — it will need to rely on existing officials to carry out its agenda. From deportations to trade wars to prosecutions of perceived enemies, the president’s plans will rely on federal employees, and these employees can be powerful. 

We close with Reich's final prescription, which we heartily endorse:

Finding room in life for joy, fun and laughter. We cannot let Trump and his darkness take over. Just as it’s important not to give up the fight, it’s critically important to take care of ourselves. If we obsess about Trump and fall down the rabbit hole of outrage, worry and anxiety, we won’t be able to keep fighting.

Take care of yourselves and others.  It's going to be a long, difficult road ahead.