Chop Wood, Carry Water 4/16

Wednesday Mini Edition

Hey, all.

No full newsletter today, but I’ve got some important miscellany below.

First, an important update on Indivisible’s list of “SAVE-curious” Democratic Senators. I’ve heard from many, many of you that both NH Senators can definitely come off of that list—they are definite NO votes. Yay! Senator Cortez-Masto seems to be a confirmed NO as well. One reader did hear from Warnock’s office that he’s a no, but I’d love to have that confirmed by a second constituent. Kelly is still on the list, as is Peters. Newsweek has suggested that Fetterman, King, and Gallego should be on it as well. So if any of those are yours please stay on top of them. But we’re looking good to have the votes to defeat it.

Second, for those of you who have yet to reach out to Harvard’s leadership I have more contact info, thanks to several readers:

Office of the President
Harvard University
Massachusetts Hall
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Tel: (617) 495-1502
Fax: (617) 495-8550
president@harvard.edu

Third, I erred in yesterday’s newsletter. The name of the subscriber who wrote the Resistbot letter was Coleman R., not Cameron. Sorry, Coleman! I blame autocorrect!

Finally, 5 Calls is reporting that app users are averaging 50 calls a minute about Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Amazing! In lieu of scripts from me today please use theirs and keep those calls coming. This is an issue that is really hitting with the general public — the Trump admin is on its back heels about it. Let’s keep pushing. Script is here.

OK all. Back to a “proper” newsletter tomorrow. I’m off to record the podcast.

Your Wednesday Read

ASO Communications is out with a new polling memo called “Mobilizing Americans to Resist Trump: Insights from Public Opinion”

From them:

Effective civil resistance movements play a crucial role in fighting authoritarianism. Since Trump’s inauguration, there have been thousands of protests in opposition to the regime; however, tens of millions of Americans who are outraged by MAGA’s attacks on our families and freedoms have yet to take action. In this memo, we share research from recent surveys and focus groups on the willingness of Americans to take action to resist the regime, key reasons why many Americans have yet to participate, and strategies for mobilizing those people to join the opposition.

Key Takeaways

➢ Large numbers of Americans are outraged by the Trump regime and want to take action. Over a third of the electorate has or would like to take action to oppose Trump’s policies, including two in three Democrats.

➢ Three in four voters who oppose the regime’s policies say they haven’t been asked to take action in response. Voters also say concerns around safety and efficacy have kept them from participating in resistance.

➢ For those hoping to inspire action, directly asking others to participate, sharing stories of resistance, and building community offer major opportunities. These strategies are crucial for lowering the barriers to action and breaking through hopelessness.

Read the whole memo here.

2 Great Events Tomorrow!

1. Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency, which is overseen by Musk, in January with the goal of reducing federal spending and streamlining government operations. In the spirit of public accountability, ProPublica has identified the staffers working for this highly secretive group. During this virtual event, ProPublica’s reporting team will review what they’ve learned about the inner workings of DOGE and answer your presubmitted questions. Submit your question below when you RSVP.
   Thursday, April 17, at 4 p.m. ET. RSVP here.

2. On Thursday April 17th at 7:00pm ET, BigTentUSA is honored to welcome back Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket and partner at Elias Law Group, and Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney, legal analyst, and author of the forthcoming book Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping Democracy. Together, they’ll examine the ongoing overreach of the Trump administration and its disregard for the rule of law. Vance and Elais will also explain the SAVE Act, recently passed by the House and now headed to the Senate. This legislation proposes strict new voter ID requirements and would centralize election oversight in Washington, D.C.—a dramatic shift from the current state-run model. Please use this link to register.

Give 💰!

There is a Go Fund Me set upfor Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s family. If you have anything to spare please consider making a donation.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: all 3 reps] [H/T Rep Rebecca Balint] [Text SIGN PZJFOT to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]

This week Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal resident of Vermont, walked into an immigration office in Colchester for what was supposed to be the final step in his citizenship process. Instead, he was arrested and removed in handcuffs by plainclothes, armed, individuals with their faces covered.

Like the other abductions before it, this is horrifying.

This is now an established pattern, including the abductions of Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and others — all of whom are here legally. Every single person who is living in the United States’ borders has the right to due process. Each of them must be released. They are entitled to know the charges against them, to have contact with their attorney, and to a trial.

If due process is denied for anyone, it can be denied for me, too. If anyone can be snatched off the streets and detained without due process, it can happen to me too. You are my representative and I expect you to fight back. We are not a dictatorship. Trump is not a king. Mohsen Mahdawi and others like him must be granted due process and immediately released.

Uphold the Constitution—it’s literally your job. Thanks.

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OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess