It’s easy to feel helpless amidst what seems like a creeping coup. Some of what’s happening is unprecedented and exploits weaknesses in our system. Our constitution does provide the means to stop this–but only if the three co-equal branches of government actively check each other’s powers.
As partisan as the Supreme Court is now, they aren’t willing to rubber stamp the most egregiously unconstitutional acts, but their repeated delays on hearing cases risk a constitutional collapse. They don’t want to force the issue because they realize any ruling they make against the administration risks unraveling everything.
The first time the President openly defies the Court, it could render all federal court rulings unenforceable; those courts depend on the U.S. Marshals Service to enforce their orders. Now under Trump’s weaponized D.O.J., the marshals aren’t going to act against Trump or his appointees. We’re not there yet, but this would be the final step in murdering the rule of law.
The Founders, with a touch of irony, expected Congress to defend its powers out of self-interest, thereby using human nature for the greater good, but it’s not a given. The push for a unitary executive stretches back to the Republic’s beginning, but it won a major victory when a true believer, Dick Cheney, exploited the opportunity under George W. Bush to expand executive power. The reflex for everybody to fall in line behind a wartime president had Congress willingly give up their powers, and even Obama couldn’t refuse that corruption that such executive power brings–even when you think you can use it for the greater good.
So, what can we do now? It’s time to revive the Indivisible strategy. The GOP is advising its members to avoid town halls, fearing a resurgence of grassroots activism. With constituents from both parties expressing anger and demanding action, Congress is feeling the pressure to act. Let’s take this as a clear signal to intensify our efforts.
I’ve sent the following three messages to my representatives in the past week. Consider doing something similar. I know we’re facing numerous crises simultaneously. We don’t need to focus on everything at once. Choose a few issues you’re passionate about and regularly communicate your concerns to your representatives.
Stopping the “Strategic Crypto Reserve” Scam
Stop this bald-faced scam of a “strategic crypto reserve” immediately! Do everything in your power to oppose it.
This is an old-fashioned pump-and-dump scheme *but it’s using my tax dollars to make Trump, his billionaire cronies, and crypto bros even more wealthy by cheating regular people.* Looking for waste, fraud, and abuse? THERE. IT. IS. Especially the fraud and abuse.
And let’s be clear: Social Security is NOT a Ponzi scheme. You need to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. You must protect your constituents FROM this egregiously fraudulent “crypto strategic reserve”.
Skip The Joint Address (just to Boyle and Fetterman)
Unless there is a plan by the Democrats as a whole to stage some kind of protest at tonight’s State of the Union, I urge you to skip it. The best message to send to Trump is a half-empty chamber, either by not going or by getting up and leaving the moment he takes the floor. He cares more about crowd size than the welfare of the American people, so speak to him in his language.
Restoring Support To Ukraine
You must pressure Trump into restoring assistance to Ukraine immediately, or you must reclaim Article 1 powers and have Congress act directly.
Trump and Vance deeply shamed our country with their performance on Friday. The United States owes President Zelensky an apology–not the other way around. Ukraine and Europe are our allies, not an ex-KBG war criminal and his gang of oligarchs. We (and that includes Congress) need to act accordingly especially given the alarming behavior Trump has always exhibited regarding Putin.
The weird tirade about Putin towards the end of that national embarrassment on Friday is deeply disturbing and requires investigation especially in light of cutting Ukraine assistance as Russia is struggling in the war. The dangerous, inexplicable cessation of cyberops against Russia this weekend by Hegseth is one of several other alarming developments. What the Hell is going on here? You need to find out and put a stop to it. Russia is an adversary and needs to be treated as such.
Restore assistance to Ukraine and figure out what’s going on with Putin and Trump. You swore an oath to defend the Constitution against all threats foreign and domestic. Here are both.