Chop Wood Carry Water 3/25
Signal-Gate is here.
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.
Yesterday was…well, insane. Even by today’s standards. I don’t know how else to put it. The National Security breach we learned of is staggering. By now many others have written about it at length so I’m not going to recap it—if you happen to have been on a retreat yesterday and have no idea what I’m talking about Heather Cox Richardson has a good summary here.
Friends, we need to make an unholy noise about this and not stop until Hegseth and Walz have stepped down. It’s a dreadful thing, but it’s also an opportunity and we need to grab it. Imagine what Republicans would do if the roles were reversed. Let’s do that. Then do it louder. Then double down.
Signal-Gate could be a massive, massive problem for Republicans and Trump, but only if we make it one. So instead of spending more time with an intro I’m going to let you get straight to your actions. They may feel duplicative—do them all anyway. We want Congress’s phones, email servers, and everything else to be exploding with contacts from outraged constituents.
I’ve also included calls to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, and to Mike Rogers, the Chair of the House Committee (this is because right now, at least, the Committee phone isn’t picking up.) I just absolutely laid into the woman at his office—while trying not to be uncourteous to her personally. I made it very clear that we’re disgusted and that Republicans can never again claim to be the party of national security. I hope you’ll do the same. Again, try not to abuse the staffer. It’s not a good look for us and it’s just not nice.
Speaking of “not nice” I want to say something quick, and on a totally unrelated note, before I finish. Let’s remember not to demonize Tesla drivers! I saw some behavior towards them at my last Tesla Takedown that I thought was a bit regrettable. Remember, nearly every person who bought a Tesla did so because they wanted to help with climate. These are our people. They don’t deserve and shouldn’t receive our abuse. Those who can afford to will likely switch cars as they are able to. Some can’t. Some haven’t had time to order a bumper sticker clarifying their position yet. They don’t deserve to be castigated for it. Let’s save that for the company’s owner.
OK. I’ll hop off my soapbox so we can get to work. Let’s make Republicans sweat!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) and Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling to demand that the Senator/Congressmember call for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz to resign immediately due to their reckless and illegal disclosure of national security secrets. Their actions have put our country at risk and immediate accountability is necessary. If they don’t resign, I am asking the Senator/Congressmember to call for their impeachment. I also want the Senator/Congressmember to demand hearings to establish what other operations may have been exposed, which U.S. servicemembers have been endangered, and what records may have been illegally destroyed. I would like a response and will be following the Senator's/Congressmember's social media for a statement. Thanks. [H/T]
Extra Credit ✅
Let’s call the House Armed Services Committee (202) 225-4151 and the Senate Armed Services Committee (202) 224-3871 and say:
I’m calling to demand that an independent prosecutor investigate everyone involved in this week’s National Security breach for potential violations of laws on classified information. I also want this committee to demand Pete Hegseth’s and Michael Waltz’s resignations. What happened is a scandal, an outrage, and an embarrassment. We are all endangered by it—especially our men and women in uniform. Make sure there are consequences. Thanks.
If you can’t get through to the House Committee number (I couldn’t) call its chair Mike Rogers at (202) 225-3261 or (334) 745-6221 and tell his staffer you’re calling him in his capacity as Chair of the Committee. Then use the above script or just say what you want. I just did it. It felt good.
Get Smart! 📚
My friend Elizabeth is organizing this Zoom event for her local group and wanted to invite you to attend! It sounds fascinating!
We know Gen Z men (ages 13-28) are voting for MAGA, and we can do something about it! Join expert Craig A. Johnson for a live Zoom discussion of his latest book “How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism.” You’ll come away prepared to engage with ALL the people in your life who may be susceptible to fascist messaging. The talk is on March 29 from 4-5:30PM PT / 7-8:30PM ET
RSVP via the QR code on the flyer or by Google Form here.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
[H/T subscriber Rebecca in Birmingham, AL]
A group of women in Birmingham AL are arranging an amazing billboard campaign. Here's one example of the most recent series.
From them:
These billboards have been a great way to show our elected officials and the broader population that we are here, we know how to resist, and we know full well how to connect the dots and the truth for people who just aren’t getting it from our leaders or news sources. Even better, this project is scalable: If readers or groups in any city want to run their own billboards, please contact Jo at Brite Blue Dot who handles the creative/conceptual work; she can answer any questions about the process. She can be reached at brbldot@gmail.com or at ww.britebluedot.com/.
Get in the Streets! 🪧
Please remember to RSVP for an April 5 “Hands Off!” event, then share about it!! Here’s a social media toolkit you can use.
We are building momentum and we want everyone to feel like it’s the only place to be! April 5. Let’s do this!
Win Races! 🗳
Here’s a friendly reminder that I’ll be speaking at two special-election-related events this week—one today and one on Thursday. Attend one or both to learn all about these incredibly important elections and what you can do to help win them.
Today at 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 ET I’ll be at Red, Wine, and Blue’s “How You Can Help in the First Major Elections of 2025,” in which we’ll cover both the Florida and Wisconsin specials. Register here.
On Thursday, March 27 at 4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET I’ll be one of many illustrious speakers at a Florida Dems event focussed on their April 1 specials. Jamie Raskin will be headlining! Should be great! Register here.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T and H/T] [Text SIGN PJTPZE to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
I am HORRIFIED that top Cabinet officials—including the Vice President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Adviser—were caught using a commercial messaging app to discuss secret war plans for Yemen this week. Shockingly, they accidentally included a journalist in the group chat. This alarming breach of national security not only highlights the gross incompetence of the Trump administration, but also underscores the growing disregard for the chain of command, oversight, and the rule of law. It also represents a huge risk to our national security as well as to all those who serve in our military. It’s terrifying, infuriating, and unacceptable.
This level of carelessness would be unthinkable under a functional democratic administration. But under Trump, it's just another day in a government increasingly run by loyalty over competence, secrecy over transparency, and militarism over diplomacy. When will Congress speak out against it?
As my representative, I want you to call for the immediate resignations of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.
Also? Congress needs to start conducting oversight like they mean it. YOU ARE A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. Act like it! Otherwise you will soon be out of a job. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Jessica I know this is a lot of work, and I want to share my gratitude for your energy and passion that you share every day 🤗
To Jessica’s point on Tesla drivers, many of them are planning on getting rid of their vehicle but have payments to make on them. I have a few friends who have a Tesla and their lease isn’t up until later this year. So yes, let’s be kind to Tesla owners/drivers as they do not deserve our retribution. Remember, Elon Musk and the company itself are our focus. 🧘
In regard to the security leak, Mike Johnson’s attitude and commentary on the situation is absurd. He, like many of the GOP, continue to lie and downplay the gravity of what is a major security scandal and huge risk to our country. I have called his office numerous times in the past months, but yesterday I become so fed up with his constant lying I left a scathing message with his staff. He is another member of congress that needs to be forced to resign.