The Pushback: A Recap of Wins for the Resistance
How Judges, Activists, and Ordinary Americans Are Standing Up to Trump’s Authoritarian Agenda.
Resistance Rising
In my earlier recap yesterday (read here), I detailed the sweeping corruption and political chaos that have defined the first two months of Trump’s second term. But this isn’t a continuation of that descent—this is a spotlight on the pushback. Across the country, decent, clear-thinking Americans are rising up to meet authoritarianism head-on—with courage, strategy, and a steadfast belief in democratic principles.
Viva la résistance!
Courts as Democracy’s Firewall
Protecting Birthright Citizenship
When Trump signed Executive Order 14160 attempting to revoke birthright citizenship, lawsuits erupted across the country. Judges in Massachusetts and New Hampshire promptly issued injunctions, calling the move “blatantly unconstitutional.” The Fourteenth Amendment lives to see another day.
Dismantling the Transgender Military Ban
In a blistering 80-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes struck down Trump’s ban on transgender service members, calling it discriminatory and unsupported by evidence. This is more than a judicial ruling—it’s a reaffirmation of civil rights in the face of creeping authoritarianism.
Defending Climate and Health Protections
Trump’s suspension of federal grants for environmental and public health projects drew swift legal opposition from cities like New Haven. Courts sided with local governments, reinstating the funding and ruling the suspension unlawful. The earth—and our lungs—thank you.
Upholding Judicial Independence
After Trump threatened to impeach judges who ruled against him, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public rebuke, reaffirming the independence of the judiciary. The message was clear: the courts are not pawns of the executive.
Activism in the Streets and Halls of Power
Grassroots Uprising for Immigrant Rights
The arrest of immigrant rights advocate Jeanette Vizguerra sparked a wave of protest in Denver and beyond. Rallies, legal funds, and media attention forced the administration to retreat from further escalation—proof that even a single voice can catalyze thousands.
Academic and Free Speech Defense
Deportation attempts against scholars Badar Khan Suri and Mahmoud Khalil were met with legal injunctions and public protest. These victories have reignited campus activism and underscored that freedom of thought is not negotiable.
DEI Defenders in Congress
In response to Trump’s erasure of DEI initiatives—including the scrubbing of Jackie Robinson’s profile from military websites—Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) launched a new House caucus to defend inclusion efforts. Symbolic? Sure. Necessary? Absolutely.
Legal Resistance Goes National
Democratic state attorneys general have launched a national listening tour to spotlight citizens harmed by Trump-era policies. From unjust firings to environmental harms, these testimonies are now being weaponized in courtrooms nationwide.
Bernie and AOC’s Anti-Oligarch Tour
Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have launched the "Anti-Oligarch Tour," calling out corporate greed and authoritarian overreach at packed town halls across the country. Their campaign highlights the intersection of economic justice and democratic resistance, offering a bold, unapologetic blueprint for mobilizing working-class opposition.
Learn more about the tour here:
The Power of the People
Civic Engagement is Exploding
From record voter registrations to a spike in local election turnout, civic participation is up. Americans are realizing that democracy isn’t just a spectator sport—it’s a daily discipline.
Media and Free Speech Fights
When the White House tried to ban the Associated Press from the press room, journalists united—and sued. The courts sided with the media, delivering a win for transparency and a gut-punch to authoritarian media suppression.
Eyes Open, Fists Raised
These aren’t just symbolic victories. They’re strategic, targeted, and essential. They remind us that even in the face of a presidency bent on undermining the republic, democracy has tools—and people—willing to wield them.
This is only the beginning. The resistance isn’t a moment. It’s a movement.
AND WE MUST CONTINUE.
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