In response to the growing, undeniable fascism of MAGA and the Trump administration, good people have been asking an anguished question: What can I do?
For many of us, the answer is murky. We can–and. must–protest. We can–and must–refuse to sane-wash or ignore what is, after all, before our eyes. We can–and must–support candidates opposing the trashing of our constitution and the rule of law, by volunteering, voting and donating what we can.
But some people are in a position to do more. Some of the universities and law firms that have been targeted have “bent the knee” and opted to be on the wrong side of history, but others have chosen non-compliance. And recently, that refusal to go along has gathered steam.
Some examples:
The Washington Post, among others, recently reported that Chris Madel, a Republican candidate for governor of Minnesota, dropped out of that race, posting to social media that ICE operations had been an “unmitigated disaster” and that he “could not support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.” He said that continuing to identify as a Republican would mean he could not look his young daughters in their eyes.
That high-profile rejection was important, but the resignations of scores of federal workers took even more courage, because many of these people are walking away from careers and financial security.
Tracee Mergen, a supervisor in the FBI’s Minneapolis field office resigned after she was pressured by higher-ups in D.C. to abandon a civil rights investigation into the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good. The call for her to end her inquiry came from aides to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Lawyers, I am relieved to note, have been prominent among the resigners. Several career lawyers had already fled the Department of Justice, in reaction to Trump’s remake of that department, but resignations from DOJ increased after the murders in Minnesota. Six career prosecutors in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced they are leaving the department in response to the administration’s edict that there would be no civil rights probe into the fatal shooting of Renee Good.
These resignations come from people who have chosen to be on the right side of history. So has David Jolly, a former Republican who is now a Democratic candidate for governor of Florida, who abandoned traditional political “civility” in a speech that should be echoed by every Democrat (and by the few Republicans who, like Jolly and Madel, have chosen to put country before party).
I am cutting this post short in hopes that readers will click through and watch Jolly’s speech. It deserves widespread distribution.
The bottom line is that we can all do something to be on the right side of history. Increasingly–and thankfully– the people who can do more, the people who can refuse to bend the knee or obey in advance, are doing it. It’s a welcome sign.
Jolly took a stand against Trump 1.0, while serving Florida. The MAGA party rejected him for it, so he formed an independent party where he criticized both parties. Now, he’s a Democrat. Fascinating journey. Liked his speech but I need context – maybe it was the stained-glass windows. 😉
I guess this is what they mean when they call the DP a “big tent.” However, his policies seem more left-wing since he wants to establish a publicly-owned property insurance company so he can reduce insurance premiums that have gone through the roof. I know some folks that retired to Florida who are moving back because they can’t afford property insurance.
To me, that means he’s heading in the right direction to help the people. If you pay attention, Trump has been using socialist ideas, but not necessarily for the masses, but for the donor class and himself. He’s always grifting which he calls “deal-making.” Look at his “Board of Peace.” Give me $1 billion and you can have a seat at the table rebuilding Gaza for Israel. HELLO! LOL
Why are the US and a bunch of Eastern European Nazis making decisions for Palestine?
Does Mossad and the CIA only assassinate good people who resist their power, or can they make an exception for someone who is pumping steroids into our global decline?
Trump has chased Canada and now Europe away. If you caught the New York Times Editoriall, they are shooting fireworks into the air with red flags because they’ve finally realized something that many of us have been saying on this blog – Trump is going to rig or cancel the 2026 elections. No shit!
How do we resist a rigged election if our local police are standing outside the precincts wearing ICE garb?
p.s. Melania is getting trashed by critics but the MAGA cult loves it. I thought it was a life documentary but it’s about 20 days leading up to the inauguration for Trump 2.0. Is it a coincidence that 3 million Epstein Files were release the same weekend? These are even worse than the first batch. Melania was really good friends with Ghislaine, and there are photos of Epstein and the director of Melania’s movie in bed with two young girls. And there’s plenty more on Trump that should end anybody’s role as a head of state.
Sheila, you know how to bring sobriety to a snowy (seven inches on the ground here in Asheville NC) Sunday morning. I listened to David Jolly’s barnstorming speech (yes … a barn with maybe stained glass windows) hyperlinked on your post. WOW! Would it not be a JOLLY good Christmas when he is elected a Democrat Governor of Florida!
Republicans have always been scum. Now, they’ve taken their masks off and shown who they really are.
Seems this could be the key to unlocking the solution to the mess we are in – decent, moral Republican elites disavowing their membership in the R party. Untainted by perceived excesses of the left and delivering a message of patriotism, compassion for fellow Americans and common sense would be a song to swing voters’ ears. Obviously these new Democrats would be reviled by MAGA, resulting in isolation of that movement. Of course progressives may stay home, so it’s the broad middle that would have to do the heavy lifting.
Ian, Republican leaders “…have always Been scum.” They have been developing, and building “The rot” Jolly refers to.
He was talking to a Hispanic related group, and I hope he can convince the Hispanics that Trump is not someone they can see as friendly.
I was in a quiet candlelight vigil for Pretti Friday evening, and proud to be there. The killings, murders, of the Trump led mobs-in-uniform have to stop.