Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/10
Listen to AOC!
Hi, all, and happy Monday.
In lieu of a long opening this morning I’m going to ask you to watch AOC’s brief video above. (It’s actually three short clips stitched together—she posted them in her story last night.) In these videos she explains why it’s absolutely crucial that we keep up the level of calls we achieved last week, especially if we have Republican representatives. And she lets us know that our calls are working! It’s vitally important stuff. Please pause right here and watch it.
[Waiting...]
See? Wasn’t that terrific? Don’t you feel fired up and ready to go? Good! Because I’ve got a great set of easy actions for you to take below, including some call scripts I think are really critical.
Remember, by the way: if you want to call on a particular topic that you’re not seeing here, 5 Calls has lots of scripts, too; they update them constantly as things develop. There are so many attacks coming at us that I’ll inevitably omit some important issues. So use 5 Calls to supplement this newsletter! Remember, you can contact your reps more than once in a day, or you can call multiple offices and use one script at each, or you can ask the staffer you speak to if you can give them more than one opinion at a time. Trump is giving us a firehose? Well, we’ll give him a firehose back.
One last thing. This newsletter has seen an explosion in new subscriptions over the last three weeks the likes of which I’ve never seen. I’m thrilled so many new folks are here—thrilled!—but it’s led to a steep increase in the amount of correspondence I’m receiving. I run this newsletter alone, so to say that I’m overwhelmed is an understatement. I’m trying to respond to everything but I’m simply no able to. So let me remind you that there is an FAQ document pinned to the top of every newsletter. It answers many basic questions about this newsletter, calling your reps, and more.
It’s also a good idea to post any questions you have in the comments; we have tens of thousands of extremely seasoned activists and organizers on this list, as well as candidates, staffers, and even a lawmaker or two. Chances are you’ll get a better answer from them than you will from me, so ask away! Remember, nothing is behind a paywall here, including the comments section.
Anyway. The point is that we are a large community now. Huge. We have power, we have skill, we have patriotism, we have creativity, and we have determination. We also have loads of experience at fighting and winning. All of that matters! Let’s use it for good!
Starting now.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[If Democrat:]
I’m calling because I’m disgusted by the illegality and cruelty of Trump and Musk’s actions. Democrats need to block every motion, filibuster every nominee, and stop all forward progress until this crime spree is stopped. NO BUSINESS AS USUAL until Musk is gone and the lawbreaking stops. Deny quorum. Walk out if necessary to stop Senate business. Block unanimous consent. Force full roll-call votes on everything. Max out debate time. Vote NO on every Trump nominee while the coup continues. Thanks.
[If Republican]
I’m calling to ask the Senator to vote NO on Kash Patel, RFK Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard. The Senator knows full well these are deeply unqualified candidates who will do enormous damage to Americans. Under Patel and Gabbard we will be far less safe, and under Kennedy we will see more people—including children—die. Surely the Senator doesn’t want that. Please ask him/her to vote no.
One more thing: What Trump and Musk are doing right now is not only brazenly illegal but an overt and undeniable violation of the federal constitution. It needs to stop. If Republicans won’t defend the Constitution we will shut this economy down and make them. That’s a promise. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
[If Democrat:] I’m calling with a very simple ask for Democrats: that they give no help to the Republicans on the budget or the debt ceiling until the lawbreaking stops. Period. What Trump and Musk are doing now is not only brazenly illegal but an overt and undeniable violation of the federal constitution. When that stops then Democrats can consider helping on the budget and the debt ceiling. And they can negotiate on particulars. But nothing until the lawbreaking stops. I mean it. Hold firm. Use the leverage you’ve got. Thanks. [H/T Josh Marshall]
[If GOP] I’m calling to say that what Trump and Musk are doing right now is not only brazenly illegal but an overt and undeniable violation of the federal constitution. It needs to stop. I want the Congressmember to abide by the rule of law and get Musk out of the government. I also want him/her to make a criminal referral to the DOJ to stop the greatest security breach in American history. If Republicans refuse to protect the Constitution—and our government agencies, and our data— we will hold a general strike and shut the economy down. Thanks.
Rally in DC tomorrow! 👩🏿🤝👨🏼
Please join the AFL-CIO, AFGE, and key labor leaders and lawmakers outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday in support of federal workers.
Unions across the labor federation—and people who want to defend our union brothers, sisters and siblings—will be peacefully rallying in solidarity to protect government workers’ rights, dignity and jobs.
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025
Noon–1 p.m. (Lunchtime Rally)
WHERE: Upper Senate Park Between Constitution and Delaware Avenues NW Washington, DC
Extra Credit ✅
From awesome activist Mia Trachinger:
When I saw Indivisible's list of 22 Dem Senators that are caving instead of fighting in the Senate, I started texting my activist friends across the country. None of them were aware of their Senator’s behavior. All of them were eager to call those Senators immediately - from NY to MI to MN.
So let’s spread the word. Text your friends and family in the states below and encourage them to call their Senators. My friends were grateful to have an action to take.
Here’s the text script I used - office numbers below.
Hi! Can you call your Senator XX today? S/he is caving to Trump. Dem Senators needs to shut the Senate down until Elon Musk’s hands are out of the Treasury and they’ve stopped his illegal power grab. We need to protect Social Security, Medicare, VA Benefits. Dem Senators did one filibuster but they need to do MORE. Tell your Senator to 1) Vote NO on every Trump nominee. 2) Block unanimous consent to grind Senate business to a halt. 3) Call for quorum checks to stall every move Republicans make. No more business as usual until Musk is out. And please - tell three friends! Post on socials! Thanks! Here’s their number: XX
Here’s the list of Democrats who caved along with a link to their DC and district numbers.
Get Smart! 📚
On Tuesday, February 11th, at 4:00 PM ET, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum and acclaimed journalist Katie Couric will join BigTentUSA for a compelling discussion on whether American democracy can endure the autocratic challenges posed by the Trump presidency and the far-reaching influence of Elon Musk, who has seized critical levers of power and authority within the federal government, seemingly giving him the ability to dismantle federal agencies at will.
They’ll examine the threats posed by unchecked power and explore what can be done to stop this dangerous takeover.
⏰ RSVP HERE | TUES. FEB 11 | 4:00PM ET
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
DemCast invites you to a Democracy briefing call tonight at 4PM PT / 7PM ET to meet some amazing creators of new media. You’ll hear from people like Isaiah Martin, whose TikTok Lives debating Republicans are going viral, the hosts of the new podcast The Dangerous Ones, and the creators of Eleven Films, who are branching into the podcast and YouTube markets with fresh voices and a new perspective. I’ll be there, too!
RSVP for the call here! Even if you can’t make it, go ahead and register and they will make sure you get the recording.
Give 💰!
Want to learn about some of the best grassroots groups to support with yur dollars?
Join the wonderful Robert Hubbell at Airlift’s Live From the Frontlines program, “Looking to the Future,” on Tuesday, February 11 at 5 PM PT/8 ET. You’ll hear from some superstars ready to build for the future. Movement Voter Project has been a national leader in funding grassroots groups, and they have an action plan for what we need to do to succeed. Down Home North Carolina, in collaboration with other grassroots groups, helped make North Carolina a bright spot in an otherwise dismal election. They, too, have a strategy for winning in 2026 and beyond.
Register here for this important program so we can get a jump on turning the tide on the Trump administration. It is a fundraiser, but you don’t need to give to attend.
Win Races! 🗳
Postcards to Voters now has postcarding for the Wisconsin election! We must win this race to keep Wisconsin moving forward. A victory will allow Democrats to:
✅ Keep fair legislative maps — which just flipped 14 seats in November, putting Wisconsin on the path to winning a Democratic trifecta in 2026.
✅ Redraw congressional districts — creating the opportunity to elect two or even three more Democrats to the U.S. House in 2026, helping reclaim the House majority.
✅ Roll back voter suppression laws — making it easier for Democrats to unseat Ron Johnson in 2028 and pick up a rare U.S. Senate seat.
You will need to provide your own cards. Go here to sign up!
Tak Action For Democracy!
Want to take action to fight “Trusk” but not sure where to start?
The terrific org Represent Us has volunteer activities to help pass pro-voter initiatives and connect you with likeminded people who are as driven to fix the system as you are. They have plenty of training and support available, and you can participate in all of their events from the comfort of your own home. Couch advocacy FTW! Explore their offerings here.
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
Interested in polling? Care about climate?
Join the Environmental Polling Consortium on Feb 10 at 10:00 AM PT for a presentation of the results from new message testing showing the most effective ways to talk to friends and family about to Trump's executive orders on energy and the environment.
This work was conducted with the Sierra Club, GreenLatinos, Climate Power, and other partners. They will record this session and send out the materials to all registrants—if you cannot attend live, you can still register and receive the follow-up materials.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all three reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PUTWGR to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
I am writing to urge you to stop Elon Musk from stealing our personal information.
It appears Musk has hacked into millions of Americans’ personal information and now has access to their taxes, Social Security, student debt and financial aid filings. Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency was not created by Congress—it is operating with zero transparency and in clear violation of federal law.
This violation of our privacy is causing American families across the country to fear for our privacy, safety and dignity. If this goes unchecked, Musk could steal our private data to help in making cuts to vital government programs that our families depend on—and to make it easier to cut taxes for himself and other billionaires.
We must have guardrails to stop this unlawful invasion of privacy.
Congress and the Trump administration must stop Elon Musk from stealing Americans' tax and other private data.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Besides upstanding lawyers and law-abiding honorable (present and former) judges, here's a growing list of Profiles in Courage men, women, and advocacy groups who refuse to be cowed or kneel to the force of Trump/Musk/MAGA/Fox "News" intimidation:
I'll begin with Missouri's own Jessica (à la John Lewis's "get in good trouble") Pipper, then, in no particular order, Heather Cox Richardson, Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Ruth Ben-Ghait, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell, Chris Hayes, Jim Acosta, Jen Rubin And the Contrarians, Steve Brodner, Brian Tyler Cohen, Jessica Craven, Annne Applebaum, Lucian Truscott IV, AOC, Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Snyder, Robert B. Hubbell, Ben Meiseilas, Steve Schmidt, Josh Marshall, Paul Krugman, Andy Borowitz, Jeff Danziger, Ann Telnaes,͏ ͏Will Bunch, Jake Tapper, Third Act, Democracy Forward, Public Citizen, Democracy Docket, ACLU et al. And, as Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together"--or via Jess Pipper, from rural Missouri: "Solidarity." FIGHT BACK!
Where can we find lists of where demonstations will be? There are young people in PA ready to stand up and be heard, but we need to give them platforms so other young voters hear them..