In early February, a few weeks into this time of testing, I identified our objectives over the next two years as “making as many advances as we can on local and state levels while preventing as much damage as possible to the primary MAGA targets: US democracy, human and civil rights, including internationally, organized labor and programs that benefit low- and moderate-income working people, and the natural environment on which all life depends.” I put forward five areas of focus, five tactics, that I thought were critical for successful resistance: street heat, local/state/federal government, courts, media and publicity, and outreach.
I think the most important development over these months has been the emergence of massive, repeated and geographically widespread street heat, millions of us demonstrating in state capitols, in DC, at Tesla dealerships, in thousands of towns in every single state. The high point so far was three and a half million of us in the streets for the April 5th “Hands Off” actions, but the many other national days of action, beginning with 50501’s February 5th mobilization, have all been critical to building a widespread spirit of resistance.
June 14th, No Kings Day, is the next major nationwide action, and with 880 actions already on the calendar, there is reason to believe this will be bigger than April 5th. We should all do whatever we can to make it so!
These actions have undoubtedly strengthened not just those of us taking part in them but others: law firms, Harvard and other major universities, judges, media figures, faith leaders and more. Indeed, courage is contagious, and on that front we should feel good about what we have accomplished so far.
As far as the courts, according to the Associated Press, as of today 158 Trump executive orders, or 76% of them, have either been blocked or are pending, with 49, or 24%, taking effect. These are not good numbers for the Trumpfascists and a sign that they are going to have a hard time doing all that they want to do.
It’s also significant that the Supreme Court in a number of cases has refused to do Trump’s bidding. There are clear signs that for not just the three liberal judges but also some conservatives, especially Roberts and Barrett, there are substantial concerns about Trump’s efforts to dominate both Congress and the courts.
What about Congress? As I write the Republicans who run the House of Representatives with a tiny majority are struggling to pass the reconciliation bill, ridiculously named the “Big Beautiful Bill,” that they have been working on for months. If eventually passed, and that’s a definite “if,” the Republican-run Senate is by no means ready to approve what the House comes up with. There are many internal differences, some strongly felt, both within the overall House and on the part of more than a few Senators in relation to how and what the House is doing.
That is why many groups, right now, are organizing to mobilize massive pressure on members of the House. All of us should be flooding House members demanding, if Democrats, that they speak out and do whatever they can to frustrate MAGA plans. Even more important, pressure is needed on Republicans, especially those who are in Congressional districts that are expected to be competitive in 2026.
As far as media and publicity, our actions in the streets and the growing willingness of people and organized groups from a broad mix of backgrounds to speak up and resist have had an impact on more than the usual progressive media sources. The Wall Street Journal (!), as one big example, has been very critical of Trump, mainly for his poor leadership when it comes to the economy, especially the tariff debacle. Every once in a while Fox News people have had specific criticisms of what the Trump Administration is doing. Overall, in no way has the mass media, and certainly not progressive media, including social media, been cowed into silence and submission.
There are other indicators that the progressive resistance should take heart and keep on with our absolutely essential work:
-Where have the MAGA’s been when we have demonstrated repeatedly in the streets, including the streets in deep red states? I’ve heard of very, very few instances of any substantive, MAGA, in-person street opposition. This has to be in part because, as polls have shown, there is a lot of discontent among a significant percentage of Trump voters about his handling of the economy, particularly the tariff debacle.
-Bernie Sanders and AOC deserve a loud shout-out for the leadership they gave with their Fight Oligarchy tour of mainly red states, drawing thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of people to their rallies. That’s a huge example of the kind of outreach much needed over the coming months and years.
There is something special about this demonstration in action of the power of age and youth joining together, which has also been reflected in many of the street actions. Bernie and AOC are showing in action how to take on the MAGA’s in a way which also builds a strong independent people’s movement not controlled by the corporate-friendly wing of the Democratic Party.
-And what about Pope Leo 14? The Catholic Church, as male-dominated and hierarchical as it still is, has decided to continue the more progressive direction that the late Pope Francis worked to advance. We now have a new Pope from Chicago, an American who has already made clear he will speak out for those who the Trumpists are demonizing and deporting, criminalizing and hurting. For those who believe in a higher power, it could be seen as a sign that, despite Trump, despite Gaza, despite so many reasons not to have hope, there is hope.
It really is true that there ain’t no power like the power of the people, organized, and the power of the people don’t stop.
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