Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/30
Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
Also, a belated happy Lunar New Year to all who observe it. So sorry I forgot to say it yesterday. I don’t have red envelopes of money for you, but I do have some easy political actions to take, and perhaps a bit of good news!
Don’t get me wrong: everything is still pure chaos, but I’m feeling quite reassured after what happened in the last 24 hours. Why?
First, we’re seeing signs of life out of Democratic leadership. They’re feeling the heat, finding their sea legs, and starting to resist and push back in ways that matter. Is it enough? No. Can we stop pressuring them to do better? Absolutely not. But they’re hearing us, and the above image is one piece of proof that, because of us, the needle is moving in the right direction.
Second, Trump’s rescinding of the funding freeze is a big deal. Make no mistake—it was because of political blowback. You know who created that blowback? YOU! And people like you all across the country. Nice work! And for those of you, by the way, who say “I have a Republican representative—they don’t care what I think,” read this! The TLDR is that their phones were ringing off the hooks, and they cared.
Team Trump’s subsequent bungling of its own messaging about whether or not the rescission was real (Robert Hubbell has a good recap here) was just icing on the cake. We are being reminded that, as AOC remarked recently—and I’m paraphrasing—these people are evil but they’re also chaotic and inept. This is already working in our favor.
This is not to say we’re out of the woods on federal funding cuts—we’re not. There’s forest, in fact, on every side. But we just found a path that may eventually lead out of it. In short, The Trump Administration hit a limit on what the American people would accept, and they backed off quickly. This is a win, and it’s important information for all of us. They’re not invincible, and they do respond to public outrage. Good.
There are more signs of resistance everywhere. Federal employees are fighting back, school systems are vowing to protect students from ICE, and, we won a special election in Iowa, in a district Trump won by 21 points! Oh, and so many of us called the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs about the IG firings that we basically shut their phone line down. Then someone found an alternate number and posted it; we shut that one down, too.
I could list more examples, but I’m saving them for Sunday’s good news roundup. Suffice it to say that Americans of all stripes are waking up and channeling their inner defiance. You love to see it!
Does this mean we’re going to have an easier time of it in coming days? Almost definitely not. But it does mean that the resistance is stirring, and roiling, and gaining strength. And when the many finally determine that they are ready—TOGETHER—to take on the money?
My money’s on the many every time.
Let’s get to work.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I want the Senator to oppose Kash Patel to run the FBI. Patel has no senior law enforcement experience and has never held a Senate-confirmed position. Multiple Trump administration officials who worked closely with Patel say he is “profoundly unqualified” to lead the FBI. His confirmation would be disastrous for public safety. Block it, please.
Second, I’m really concerned about Russell Vought, Trump’s nominee to run the Office of Management and Budget. We all know Trump’s chaotic and harmful funding freeze this week was his idea. Even though the White House rescinded that memo for now, Trump is still committed to withholding funds distributed by Congress. And he’s planning on using Vought to enable this. Vought has made clear in his confirmation hearings that he believes the Impoundment Act is unconstitutional. If he is put in charge of OMB, millions of Americans like me will face devastating harm. I expect the Senator to call for Vought’s nomination to be withdrawn and to vote NO if his confirmation moves forward. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m extremely concerned that Donald Trump eliminated the membership of a key committee that handles aviation security just days before this awful crash in DC. He also enacted a federal hiring freeze, which ended efforts to hire air traffic controllers we desperately need. Trump’s attacks on civil servants and his efforts to dismantle the government are making us less safe. Defunding the FAA will make us less safe. Putting a Fox News host at the top of the Department of Transportation is making us less safe. Blaming DEI for the plane crash is making us less safe. People are starting to die. I want the Congressmember to speak out against Trump’s mismanagement and his dismantling of the federal government. It’s not OK. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
I’m hearing that Costco is getting a lot of nasty calls. Let’s counteract that, shall we? So easy. Call Costco corporate at 425-313-8100 (press 0 to speak with an operator) and just say thanks. Something like:
My name is ____ and I’m calling from ______. I just want to thank Costco’s leadership for refusing to cancel their DEI initiatives in the face of political pressure. Please let them know that decent Americans everywhere support them, that we’re grateful, and that we will support Costco financially in every way we can. History will be very kind to your company and all of its employees. Don’t forget it. Thanks again.
P.S. — the first person I spoke to put me through to another line that didn’t take messages but I just called back and got a different operator who was very sweet and took down my comments happily.
Get Smart! 📚
Want to know what local groups are doing to fight back against Trump’s awful immigration agenda? Read this! I love the Movement Voter Project so much—it’s so reassuring to read about the work the groups we’ve help to fund are doing.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
This Mike Lux piece about why we should focus on healthcare in our messaging is really, really good. Please read.
Give 💰!
As a reader of this newsletter you understand that our democracy is in danger and that the courts are one of our most effective tools in blocking the madness. Protect Democracy is a nonpartisan organization founded in 2016 by former White House officials dedicated to defending democratic values and institutions in the United States. The organization employs litigation, legislative advocacy, and strategic communications to counter authoritarian threats and uphold the rule of law. Protect Democracy’s work is more important than ever, holding the administration accountable through legal challenges and advocacy.
If you would like to support the work of protecting free and fair elections, defending the rule of law, safeguarding the public square, and shaping the future of democracy, I urge you to make a donation to Protect Democracy today.
Win Races! 🗳
Join WisDems to make calls to voters! You’ll be making calls to talk to voters in Wisconsin about what issues are important to them & the importance of their Supreme Court Race and Spring Elections!
Phonebanks are Thursdays and Saturdays. Full training and support provided.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators] [H/T] [[Text SIGN PHTPYP to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
I am writing as a concerned constituent who values science-based public health policies and recognizes the importance of vaccines in protecting our communities from preventable diseases. I urge you to oppose the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Mr. Kennedy’s long-standing record of spreading vaccine misinformation and promoting anti-vaccine ideology is deeply concerning. His beliefs are not only out of step with established science, but they actively endanger public health by discouraging vaccine confidence, which is essential for protecting people of all ages.
Here are key reasons I believe he is unqualified to lead our nation's health policy:
-Personal Profit from Spreading Vaccine Misinformation: He’s made millions from biotech investments and lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers. Our health is too important to trust to a person whose personal profit motive requires that he undermine trust in public health.
-Opposition to Established Science: Mr. Kennedy has repeatedly questioned vaccine safety despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting vaccines as one of the safest and most effective public health tools. The CDC, WHO, and every reputable health organization agree on the benefits of vaccination, which has saved millions of lives.
-Potential to Erode Public Health Infrastructure: If confirmed, Mr. Kennedy could undermine essential vaccination programs like Vaccines for Children (VFC) and the 317 Fund, which provide critical access to vaccines for uninsured and underinsured populations. Weakening these programs could reverse years of progress in disease prevention.
-Threat to Preparedness for Emerging Diseases: Given the need for a swift, coordinated response to emerging infectious diseases, Mr. Kennedy’s history of denying vaccine science raises concerns about his ability to lead during public health emergencies. His influence may stymie vaccine innovation and limit our national capacity to respond effectively to future health crises.
-Increasing Distrust in Government and Medicine: Mr. Kennedy’s promotion of vaccine misinformation erodes trust in health professionals, public health agencies, and science itself. Appointing him could fuel the spread of disinformation, weaken confidence in proven interventions, and put vulnerable populations at risk.
As our nation continues to recover from the human and economic costs of pandemic disease, and as we experience the return of measles, chicken pox, and whooping cough, it’s essential that HHS be led by someone who prioritizes science, evidence-based policy, and public health integrity.
I urge you to stand with the pro-vaccine majority, healthcare professionals, and scientific communities in opposing this nomination. Our health, safety, and public trust depend on it.
Thank you for your time and your commitment to protecting public health.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Don’t give up on your Republican senators and congressman, I discovered this newsletter 66 days ago and since then I have contacted my Republican senators and congressman 33 times. I’m not backing down. No one else in my red state may be doing the work, but I’m gonna do the work. And if enough of us keep doing the work eventually our voices will be loud enough that someone will hear them
I called my MAGA Republican Congressman's office and had a good conversation with the young staffer (they're all young staffers) about the AA crash. After I complained about T**** blaming the crash on DEI and asked the Congressman to speak out (which he won't do) against T****'s mismanagement, I told the staffer I'd flown into DCA (National) so many times and said I assumed he had, as well. I reminded him how scary it is to fly in low over the river, and how good it feels finally to be wheels down on the runway, and how sad it is that the poor folks on the AA flight never made it to wheels down. In short, I asked him to feel some empathy for the people on that flight, and for their loved ones. I hope it helped. Empathy is in short supply with MAGA Republicans. Thank you, Jessica, for helping us reach out to all of our Members of Congress.