I believe to protest this action people should approach the soldiers in a welcoming way. Acknowledge them as people. Tell them you sympathize with their having to take time off work. Bring them food and drinks. Pastries. Cupcakes. Make them feel like people and make them see you and others as people. Ask them what you can do to make their time in DC as pleasant as possible.
Being as they are National Guard, why would, or should, people be “required” to educate them that we are all people? Aren’t they already aware? Didn’t many join the Guard for the sake of “service” during natural disaster and national defense from threats foreign - and domestic?
It seems to me we should rather continually remind them, verbally, that they took an oath to the Constitution - NOT a personal oath to the Orange Demigod Trump.
I believe these soldiers are very aware of the oath to the constitution and the people not to any leader. And they are concerned that when the regime falls they do not want to fall with it. These regimes always fall in short order. Not to mention their führer is old. He dies it's all over.
Sorry but NO! This is a typical Democrat response. Democrats say, “Oh, did we hurt your feelings? Here have a cupcake to help you feel better.” Republicans never say such nonsense. They just take a knife and slash our throats. It’s time we grew up!!
I was referring to the National Guard. And if Trump brings in the Marines again or other military branches I think the most productive - the only honorable option at this stage is not to be against them. I understand a plethora of guardsman have already requested transfers from units Trump intends to “abuse.” I absolutely think the majority despise these orders; they know it’s wrong. But theirs is a superior command order world. At this stage, I doubt they can refuse the duty without serious consequences. Therefore, remember they are in horrible positions.
Suggesting violence against military branches is completely wrong. They are not bounty hunting, untrained ICE getting $50k signing deals, $30k bonuses, and student loan forgiveness. Emphasize with the Guard and active military, because they deserve to be treated with respect. They literally put their lives on the line to serve.
I will protest, peacefully, again as will millions others, but I understand that right now they are stuck between the huge rock of Trump and the corrupt, hard ass GOP. I acknowledge that, but I do expect them to keep and honor their Constitutional oath. I expect them to have and abide by a moral compass. I don’t expect this from Trump or the GOP, precisely because these politicians have proven, increasingly, they have no honor, no moral compass, and no respect for the Constitution oath “they” also swore.
The DC National Guard troops are from DC. They are our children, our former students all grown up. They have families, friends, and lives right here in DC. Its not like they are strangers. DC is ~ 30 square miles.
No. For goodness sakes. It’s a metaphor for not immediately caving in to the Republicans. My husband is a vet, my son in law is a vet, my father’s favorite brother was killed in WWII. You just did what Republicans are so good at….putting Democrats on the defensive. We need to learn and learn fast how to put Republicans on the defensive.
I think that having both cupcakes and knives in our toolkits is good.
Duke Williams has made an excellent point imo. It’s not rolling over Schumer-style to approach the soldiers as human beings. I think that many of these soldiers have mixed feelings about what they are being ordered to do. If we approach them as fellow human beings they will be more likely to do the same with us. We are more alike than different. It’s us vs the oligarchs. If we treat them like 💩 that will make them go to Stephen Miller’s side.
I agree. If Trump sends National Guard troops into any city, then the police of that city and the residents should line the borders and not let them enter.
Trump needs to learn (even though he is unteachable) that WE are also Americans (75million) who did not vote for him and his party.
We SHOULD NOT PUT UP WITH HIS NONSENSE!
He needs to be reminded!
And if the election was held today, he wouldn’t be President!
The 1st thing he did was order the DC Police to be under His rule. Just like the Nat Guard & freaking Military, they have a legal limit to what they can & Will do. But there could be some on the Dark Side...
I think you are spot on. I see day in and day out now, ordinary people helping people that come across their lives. Being polite and courteous. It keeps me hopeful.
This isn’t about homelessness. Robert is spot on. This is a trial ballon. It couldn’t be any clearer. And this IS happening. It truly is terrifying.
Totally agree, but make very clear you oppose this occupation by carrying a protest sign or by engaging them in a conversation about how inappropriate it is in a democracy.
Recall the flowers in the barrels of rifles. It’s both poignant and humorous. Be friendly and welcoming to the troops who would rather be somewhere else. And consistently hostile to Conold the pedophile presidents secret police. Aka ICE. 🧊
Baden - What is worse is that ICE wants to lower the age to 18. They can’t even legally carry a firearm. Their impulse control is lacking and now that they have raised the age limit to retire out as well they are encouraging father and sons to join up together (they of course leave out daughters). Not only is it possible that the 18 year old grew up under the hate from his father but now it will get amplified by the father encouraging his son to hunt humans. Some people pay a lot of money to hunt trophy animals (and humans if horror movies are right) but now the government will pay them instead to go hunting.
I hit the send button too soon, and now I can’t find my comment, so I’m continuing it here… going with energy, not opposing it, not stiffening against it- this is what was taught by Jesus (turn the other cheek), Mahatma Gandhi, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and every master of martial arts, in the lines of Tai Chi, and so forth. Disarming a National Guardsman , etc.. treating them like the human being they in fact are, would take incredible strength of character and fortitude, but I suspect that at least from time to time it would be actually doable. Fighting hate with hate only produces more hate. Meeting hate with love, however… that could produce a miracle. And miracles we need now more than ever.
I think everyone in DC should go inside. Shut the place down,no cars, no busses, no people on the streets. give the SS troops nothing to deal with, pretty soon it will become evident they need to go away. That's as peaceful as I would get.
The next step would be violence if they don't leave.
I've had that happen, periodically the substack refreshes in the middle of typing. I then use the search for feature in my browser of choice, usually Firefox, for my name or some key word I typed and almost always find it. Just FYI...
Correct, we should exploit the natural historic boundary that already exists between the military and politicians. We did this during the Vietnam years with things like putting daisies in the gun barrels of Guard troops who were called up against us -- "we are not the enemy".
This kind of compassionate action is proactive. It worked well in LA to forestall dangerous and potentially deadly confrontation, which most Guard members want to avoid too. There's absolutely a time and place for confrontation, but generally it should be reserved as a last resort when other tactics have failed.
To this day what too many people "remember" is the canard about spitting on returning soldiers. This was extremely rare but it got blown up into the '60s version of a meme. We don't need a reprise.
I agree. I've read that there's only around 800 of them (the MPD has over 3,400 police) and there are likely to soon become bored out of their minds unless mayor Muriel Bowser can give them something to do.
Russell - I thought that T only had control of the MPD for 48 hours? By my calculations he is out of time after today. He can keep calling for an “emergency” but at what point does the abuse become obvious to everyone? I also thought that the national guard can only protect buildings and not do anything law enforcement related - so what building is having a national emergency?
I think that it's 30 days under the Home Rule Act and then he needs Congressional approval. He has indicated that he wants to assume control in DC for a longer period and it remains to be seen whether he will bother to seek approval from Congress or just claim that his Article 2 power makes this unnecessary.
The National Guard ostensibly is there to protect federal assets and also to provide a safe environment for law officers. One sees members of the Guard patrolling with officers. We've also seen what this means in Los Angeles with the National Guard often exceeding their remit and US troops assisting with enforcement paperwork, so frankly I don't think Trump is going to be concerned about the constitutional or legal constraints.
In a press conference on Monday, the new US attorney for DC said that the laws were weak and Heaven only knows what that means.
Russell - Thank you for the clarification. I thought that I had read that he only had the MPD for 48 hours and the guard for 30 days before having to ask Congress. But I have read probably too much and I am getting the information mixed up.
I seem to remember that this was the strategy used in Berkeley when RayGun sent the National Guard in to quell the Peoples' Park protests. I seem to recall Guardsmen with flowers on their rifles.
That is one of several ways to include. I agree. Ultimately, the soldiers are human, have wives, children, relatives, some of whom may be homeless or wanting as well. I'm Generation Jones, but I remember my older brothers and sisters offering flowers to police.
I worked for the military for a long time. While there are a lot of people on "their and not our side", there are also a lot of upright decent respectable people. They just keep their mouths shut. I was that way as well. Generally in the military it has been the rule to keep politics to one's self. But once in a while I heard things, from both sides. I knew there were good people amongst them. I've met "a few".
I agree it's a trial run, but I'm possibly naive enough to hope it's going to backfire BIGLY. People have just about had enough, and they're fighting back. Kudos to the guy who threw a Subway sandwich at the SS troops in DC. Humor may actually be the best weapon we have against these almost cartoonishly evil villains.
The noose is tightening... An impassioned plea emerges. In Democracy Docket today, Marc Elias elucidated what he feels matters most at this moment in time. As he states, "These elections (of 2026) pose the greatest threat to Trump's power, and power is the only thing that Trump values. Our best and perhaps only chance to ensure free and fair elections is to focus and fortify them now." According to Marc, if we put them on the " back burner" until Fall 2026, it will be too late.
Marc implores us to "pay attention" now to what Republicans are doing in every state to "undermine voters' rights in advance of the 2026 midterms. Furthermore, he wants us to insist..." that federal, state, and local governments use every available tool to protect our voting rights." As he warns, "This threat must take precedence over everything else."
We have two strong Senate contenders (Roy Cooper of N. Carolina and Sherrod Brown of Ohio).We need desperately to support all candidates that we can, we need to support all legal organizations that we can, and we need to support all independent media sources who provide a "lifeline" to truth telling. Saving our Democracy necessitates sacrifice, perseverance, and a long-term commitment to action.
If it makes you angry that we now have U.S. military pointed inward at us, and if it makes you angry that each and every day a more brazen Trump regime demands our subservience and expects our compliance- then you understand quite clearly that we cannot afford to be complacent nor can we afford to put our "heads in the sand". And , in the end, we cannot afford to hope that our sacred Democracy will miraculously be the " rabbit" that is pulled out of the magicians hat. Fight on please...
I wish people would stop wishfully thinking that the midterms will be anything but perfomative. it's not who votes, but who counts the votes. the terrorist organization known as the republican party is NOT going to give up power. accept that, deal with it. Meditate, garden, walk, gather with friends and neighbors but don't use electronic media to telegraph any plans for resistance.
There is significant anomalies in the swing state voting data that is incredibly unlikely. The Dems just rolled over and didn’t insist on a recount. I believe that Kamala won the election by a wide margin but the election was electronically hacked!
Which is why I think we need to stop thinking that those who voted for Trump are more numerous than those of us who voted for Kamala. It’s not the disenfranchised Magats that we’re up against. They’ll shortly realize that Rump the pedophile has played them and they’ll be worse off economically than ever. There will be huge climate disasters this fall that will be devastatingly without FEMA.
We have to boycott the monopolies and flood DC with protests as we did in the 70s to end the Vietnam conflict. I’m not talking about visiting your representatives or senators.
I’m talking about blocking traffic and surrounding government buildings on weekdays. Make it very inconvenient for this government to govern and without violence.
That’s what will strike fear in this fat , orange bully and his sycophants.
We should adopt New Hampshire’s state moto: Live Free or Die.
They are money hungry broken people with a misconception of themselves as bravely rearranging the USA into their perpetual money machine. They’ll never be kind or wise or suddenly see the error of their ways. They’ll never be strategic in anything other than making themselves richer. No one is coming to save us but ourselves.
We need to understand that now that they have committed to this takeover, there is no going back. No, “I guess we lost the midterms…and sure we’ll let all those people out of the concentration camps!” We’ll abide by the rules now!
Yeah, whatever happened to that Rockland County case in NY where Kamala had zero votes? That is clearly statistically impossible. Seems to have vaporized as of late. No more updates.
That sort of thing happened in various other swing states...where voters down ticket voted straight DEMS but flopped on the Presidential vote to Trump. This is unusual behavior showed up just enough to give the election to Trump but just enough to rise above the amount that trips an automatic recount of ballots.
I remember being arrested for being on the sidewalk with intent to march to the Pentagon during the Mayday protest in 1972. They brought us all to the Washington Red Skins practice football field as a holding cell. It was completely surrounded , shoulder to shoulder by national guard soldiers with drawn bayonets. We got through it in one piece!
You maybe concerned about what could go wrong if we show up Paul, but I am more concerned about what has already gone wrong and what more can go wrong if we don't show up!
What is going to happen if women are turned away from voting in droves due to name change and other factors they can think up? That may create chaos at voting places. Republicans thrive on chaos and propaganda.
I will never give up, most of all because they want me to. Nyah, nyah, nyah!
There is a type of thinking that I believe poisons all Democratic sites and stops us from doing what we must. Apparently, we can't vote for a Dem unless they are pure as the driven snow. We refuse to support a candidate who hasn't voted the way we want them to every single time.
Meanwhile, the Republicans hold their nose, bring their barf buckets, and pull the lever for their candidate, no matter how despicable, cruel, stupid, or violent.
We need to take a page from their book. Get the Democrat into office, then hold them accountable for their actions. We can't afford any more purity tests or any splitting the vote to "send a message." Elias is right: we have GOT to win this thing so decisively that no matter how they cheat or what unethical crap they pull, they cannot deny the victory.
Eventually Trump will be gone. Someone suggested that when it becomes apparent that Fatso is about to drop off the twig, he/she is going to buy about ten days' worth of supplies and hole up until the hysteria dies down. I think they have a point, because his cultists literally believe he's immortal. He's not, and when he goes, they will become irrational beyond belief.
The point is, TACO won't be here forever. No matter how nasty it gets, there will be life on the other side of the abyss. We have to make sure that the ugly legacy of MAGA is stopped here, now, so our kids and grandkids don't have to live in Nazi Germany 2.0.
Trump could "kick the bucket" at any point, but JD Vance is another form of monster himself... That's why we have to, like you suggest, win decisively in 2026... Get as much ID as is possible... I just read in Oregon, as with some other states, they denied giving voter info. to the regime. Everyone can raise their voices to be sure the states know you are watching... Kids and grandkids do deserve better than a life- suffocating autocracy.. Thank you for your post!
And something not enough Dems and Independents are discussing…fielding candidates for every single damned office on the ticket - county auditor, sheriff, dog catcher, whatever it is, right from the bottom to the top. I am registered in a swing state, and every time I get my absentee ballot, I am disappointed to see Republican candidates without any opposition. What’s wrong with you guys? Find decent people willing to put themselves forward for every single office in local, state and national elections. Sure, you may need to learn the job by doing it. So what? You think anyone was born fully qualified? Don’t let fascists win by default!
Yes, people don't like him. I was thinking if Trump died while in office, we would be stuck with JD Vance, who, I feel is quite cold and calculating and definitely wants to destroy this Democracy.... not to mention his racism and on and on...
Linda - It is occasionally a small wish of mine that the 2026 elections were actually fair and the republicans lost at least the house. Then “something” would happen to T and Vance and that would mean Jeffries would be the next in line. I think that would really make the republicans irate and irrelevant and sting Johnson because he didn’t get his chance. It’s a silly idea but it is the only one I currently have that will put a small smile on my face even if I feel a little bit bad for thinking that way about some people.
Trump has gone about enriching himself and his corrupt cronies as well as giving free rein to a bunch of perverted christo-fascist nationalists to enact cruel and sadistic policies and punishments. And now, a police state?
No surprise, it's a glaring betrayal by a crook who ran for office to stay out of jail. This nightmare 'white house' of horrors has put us all on a rickety rollercoaster headed into a dark abyss. Hold onto your hats people, things are about to get much the worse, it's about to crash in spectacular fashion as soaring prices, deprivation and recession hit hard.
When it does, I predict there will be a mass uprising, military or no military. Betrayal is a powerful emotion. A lot of people will have nothing to lose. The only question; is the military going to go along with this and turn their guns on their own people, friends, family? Or, will they defend the Constitution/democracy and turn their guns on the fascists. It's a BIG question.
I am right with you, my friend. But an "uprising" can be unarmed or armed. What's it to be? When Trump gives the order not for tear gas, but for live rounds, when protesters lie dead and the streets are scenes of a massacre, what then?
Hmm, I don't know. This situation is a bit different from the usual banana republic police state where a cowering population has no means to defend itself. There are 400 to 500 million civilian-owned firearms in the USA. The public is "armed".
How many Dems are willing to man the barricades armed? It’s almost a given with the cultists. But a Dem commenter yesterday was advocating giving cupcakes to troops sent in by Trump to intimidate the populace, so they would know we’re friendly. WTF?!
It's not war until they start shooting people, at which point it's war. The dems will likely form underground cells to fight the regime - as did the resistance in WWII, they're simply much smarter than the goons with the guns (on either side) and they will have help from the democracies outside of the US. On the cupcake thing, the majority of the troops don't want to gun down folks simply trying to uphold their rights and freedoms. A cupcake may not be the answer but the underlying truth of the gesture holds, "you are killing your own...we are not the enemy".
There are a great many armed citizens (and non-citizens) in your country, please recall. If the kettle gets boiling hot enough it will become a two-way rain of bullets.
It is sad that our military is getting personal responses like this. I don’t blame you- I just wish the individuals who are National Guard had some communal spine to respond to this ridiculous monster.
The Senate needs to invoke the 25th amendment to evict this lawless president
from the White House. They are not likely to act on their own without massive
pressure they cannot ignore.
We need a general strike all across the country calling on the Senate and Congress to act to stop the dismantling of the institutions that make this country function for the people who inhabit it.
This is also part of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025. The military enforcement of the Decrees of the President as absolute ruler of a Christian Nationalist State. This is absolutely a test, at all levels and ESPECIALLY the obedience of the Military.
Sadly the same here. But I am, whenever possible, sending Dan Osborne, some small contributions. I might consider getting more active in his campaign. He's an independent but working class and he sees the real problem that created the mess we're in.
I also agree!..I have been writing & writing & writing ..I have talked about ALL these things to no avail..maybe it's because I'm 77yrs..maybe it's because I've was raised hearing stories from family members both bio & step..all from Germany on one side British on the other. U hear these stories when ur little ..u study the same stories as u go thru school & then one day it starts to appear here & u wonder WHAT?..WAIT A MINUTE-DONT RUSH TO JUDGEMENT - but then u sadly realize it's real & u look & listen to ur children & grdchildern talk some get it some don't care..u worry..I'm too old & busy caring for my 96yr mother & another family member to just go out & protest..so I write & I write now all that's left is prayer - real deep sincere prayers because right this moment we must choose..
the first trial run went well for dumpster; they're ignoring the court order to stop rounding up people based on skin color or name. the rogue6 ln scotus gave him carte blanche. when are people going to understand that?
For those of us inside the USA these are terrifying times! I'm 66 and disabled. Medicaid pays my daughter to care for me. When I lose my Medicaid, she loses her job. We're selling her house and leaving...if we can get out in time. Too many waited in Weimar Germany and they couldn't leave. Political enemies and disabled folks like us were the first to go to concentration camps.
I had a dream where Trump was cursed one morning, wherein his nose would grow when a lied and his ears would grow when he said something deranged, forcing us to hear it. Ironically, by noon, he was an elephant.
It seems as though he is presenting multiple ideas to gauge what gets through. He has been doing this for the past six months, particularly testing the boundaries of the rule of law and the Constitution. 🤔
Well, wasn’t that his M.O. for the 2nd term: Maximum distraction, constantly, layered upon other constant maximum distractions, everywhere, at all times?
(Sorry, I paraphrased. But I know some of you know his exact phrasing. Or maybe it was a pundit?)
It’s Not over. Regardless of how it seems, it’s not over by a long shot. It’s annoying to watch people throw in the towel. There is plenty to do and even if there wasn’t, I will continue to resist. Saying it’s over means you don’t have to try anymore. I disagree.
DUMP AND IMPEACH TRAITOR , NAZIS , FELONS, PREDATORS ,AND CON REPUBLICONS EVERYWHERE. YES CON REPUBLICONS, CLIMATE CHANGE IS DANGEROUS, REAL, DISRUPTIVE WORLDWIDE, COSTLY, AND PREVENTABLE. STOP DENYING CLIMATE CHANGE AND FACE THE SCIENCE . DUMP THE CON RTRUMP AND CRONIES. DEPORT RTRUMP'S WIFE AND RELATIVES. BOYCOTT NAZI MUSK AND NAZI RTRUMP.
It’s not over. It can’t be over. We must stay at it. We must elect all Democrats during the mid-terms next year. We must turn the balance of power in Congress so we can stop Trump from destroying America!
I don't assume there will be midterms. I think it's more likely there won't be. Remember that Rump has said more than once that his base would never have to vote again. I believe he's laying the foundation to make that true.
We know that GOP operatives have accessed voting machines in more than one place. For example, see Tina Peters in Colorado, 2020. We don’t know where else that might have happened. After all, Elon bragged about having to change only two lines of code to change the election outcome.
Right now, the number one concern should be getting through this mess so we can address climate change, if it's not too late already. I have a PhD in meteorology. I've looked at the data and trends. Climate change is a pressing issue.
Yes, Rich, we have to deal with this mess to have any hope of preventing further climate catastrophe. People need to see beyond their own noses and “the price of eggs.”
While I appreciate your clinical analysis of trump’s military takeover of DC without cause, I can assure you that this is much more than an oil side analysis. As a greater than 40 year resident of the dmv, I can assure you that this is scarier than hell. Never never ever have the residents of this general beltway community been this intimidated. A million of us. There has always been discourse, disagreement and discussion of what is the best way forward for our country, for all of us; but now this has been shut down tight. People are truly afraid. There is no discussion, no give and take……our country and our democracy are on the brink of collapse ….
If Trump has erased parts of Maxwell's conviction and given her work release, there will be no doubt of his involvement, and his own MAGA base will largely desert him.
It was true that the two attempts made on his life were by his ex-MAGA followers. When some mentally unstable people find out they have been lied to, they don't like it.
It's up to individual members of the military and National Guard, most of whom are loyal Americans, faithful to the Constitution, to just say NO. A patriot is one who defends his country from his government!
I believe to protest this action people should approach the soldiers in a welcoming way. Acknowledge them as people. Tell them you sympathize with their having to take time off work. Bring them food and drinks. Pastries. Cupcakes. Make them feel like people and make them see you and others as people. Ask them what you can do to make their time in DC as pleasant as possible.
Being as they are National Guard, why would, or should, people be “required” to educate them that we are all people? Aren’t they already aware? Didn’t many join the Guard for the sake of “service” during natural disaster and national defense from threats foreign - and domestic?
It seems to me we should rather continually remind them, verbally, that they took an oath to the Constitution - NOT a personal oath to the Orange Demigod Trump.
Yes, we don't need to make their job pleasant but I think we should make it extremely boring.
Not boring - make military force under those circumstances wrong, and politely but firmly say so.
I believe these soldiers are very aware of the oath to the constitution and the people not to any leader. And they are concerned that when the regime falls they do not want to fall with it. These regimes always fall in short order. Not to mention their führer is old. He dies it's all over.
Sorry but NO! This is a typical Democrat response. Democrats say, “Oh, did we hurt your feelings? Here have a cupcake to help you feel better.” Republicans never say such nonsense. They just take a knife and slash our throats. It’s time we grew up!!
I’m guessing she was referring to the National Guard. Not Congress. We want bored National Guards men.
I am referring to them all. We have been nice long enough. It’s time we stood up, firm, and cut off their legs!
I was referring to the National Guard. And if Trump brings in the Marines again or other military branches I think the most productive - the only honorable option at this stage is not to be against them. I understand a plethora of guardsman have already requested transfers from units Trump intends to “abuse.” I absolutely think the majority despise these orders; they know it’s wrong. But theirs is a superior command order world. At this stage, I doubt they can refuse the duty without serious consequences. Therefore, remember they are in horrible positions.
Suggesting violence against military branches is completely wrong. They are not bounty hunting, untrained ICE getting $50k signing deals, $30k bonuses, and student loan forgiveness. Emphasize with the Guard and active military, because they deserve to be treated with respect. They literally put their lives on the line to serve.
I will protest, peacefully, again as will millions others, but I understand that right now they are stuck between the huge rock of Trump and the corrupt, hard ass GOP. I acknowledge that, but I do expect them to keep and honor their Constitutional oath. I expect them to have and abide by a moral compass. I don’t expect this from Trump or the GOP, precisely because these politicians have proven, increasingly, they have no honor, no moral compass, and no respect for the Constitution oath “they” also swore.
The DC National Guard troops are from DC. They are our children, our former students all grown up. They have families, friends, and lives right here in DC. Its not like they are strangers. DC is ~ 30 square miles.
I know. I lived in Fairfax, VA from 1/61-8/70.
That’s true. We have been too nice. For decades. I would like to see Congressional Dems be as disruptive as the freedom forum.
But I meant Rae’s comment. I should have included her name.
At least cut off their funding. No more taxes.
Fight 🔥 fire with 🔥 FIRE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAHgJULaaV8
You want to slash the throats of soldiers and National Guard? Uh, yo, it might be time to step back a little.
No. For goodness sakes. It’s a metaphor for not immediately caving in to the Republicans. My husband is a vet, my son in law is a vet, my father’s favorite brother was killed in WWII. You just did what Republicans are so good at….putting Democrats on the defensive. We need to learn and learn fast how to put Republicans on the defensive.
Just makin’ sure.
I think that having both cupcakes and knives in our toolkits is good.
Duke Williams has made an excellent point imo. It’s not rolling over Schumer-style to approach the soldiers as human beings. I think that many of these soldiers have mixed feelings about what they are being ordered to do. If we approach them as fellow human beings they will be more likely to do the same with us. We are more alike than different. It’s us vs the oligarchs. If we treat them like 💩 that will make them go to Stephen Miller’s side.
I agree. If Trump sends National Guard troops into any city, then the police of that city and the residents should line the borders and not let them enter.
Trump needs to learn (even though he is unteachable) that WE are also Americans (75million) who did not vote for him and his party.
We SHOULD NOT PUT UP WITH HIS NONSENSE!
He needs to be reminded!
And if the election was held today, he wouldn’t be President!
Not to sound too dramatic, but this is how Hitler started
You make a very valid point
The 1st thing he did was order the DC Police to be under His rule. Just like the Nat Guard & freaking Military, they have a legal limit to what they can & Will do. But there could be some on the Dark Side...
Great idea. Let’s keep protesting together. We can sing the no kings anthem with the soldiers: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/no-kings-anthem
I think you are spot on. I see day in and day out now, ordinary people helping people that come across their lives. Being polite and courteous. It keeps me hopeful.
This isn’t about homelessness. Robert is spot on. This is a trial ballon. It couldn’t be any clearer. And this IS happening. It truly is terrifying.
Totally agree, but make very clear you oppose this occupation by carrying a protest sign or by engaging them in a conversation about how inappropriate it is in a democracy.
And then direct them to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, where the crime rate is out of control.
Recall the flowers in the barrels of rifles. It’s both poignant and humorous. Be friendly and welcoming to the troops who would rather be somewhere else. And consistently hostile to Conold the pedophile presidents secret police. Aka ICE. 🧊
Baden - What is worse is that ICE wants to lower the age to 18. They can’t even legally carry a firearm. Their impulse control is lacking and now that they have raised the age limit to retire out as well they are encouraging father and sons to join up together (they of course leave out daughters). Not only is it possible that the 18 year old grew up under the hate from his father but now it will get amplified by the father encouraging his son to hunt humans. Some people pay a lot of money to hunt trophy animals (and humans if horror movies are right) but now the government will pay them instead to go hunting.
I hit the send button too soon, and now I can’t find my comment, so I’m continuing it here… going with energy, not opposing it, not stiffening against it- this is what was taught by Jesus (turn the other cheek), Mahatma Gandhi, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and every master of martial arts, in the lines of Tai Chi, and so forth. Disarming a National Guardsman , etc.. treating them like the human being they in fact are, would take incredible strength of character and fortitude, but I suspect that at least from time to time it would be actually doable. Fighting hate with hate only produces more hate. Meeting hate with love, however… that could produce a miracle. And miracles we need now more than ever.
I think everyone in DC should go inside. Shut the place down,no cars, no busses, no people on the streets. give the SS troops nothing to deal with, pretty soon it will become evident they need to go away. That's as peaceful as I would get.
The next step would be violence if they don't leave.
and by violence I mean Everyone out on the streets and push them out.
I agree. Don't give the National Guard anything to do. Make them so bored they'll want to get back to their lives!
I've had that happen, periodically the substack refreshes in the middle of typing. I then use the search for feature in my browser of choice, usually Firefox, for my name or some key word I typed and almost always find it. Just FYI...
Rich - Just happened to me too and I can’t find where I was typing. Thanks for the suggestion.
Just happened-- again!
I love this response. Just the opposite of what he wants.
I honestly do feel bad for the ones who really don’t want to be there.
Correct, we should exploit the natural historic boundary that already exists between the military and politicians. We did this during the Vietnam years with things like putting daisies in the gun barrels of Guard troops who were called up against us -- "we are not the enemy".
This kind of compassionate action is proactive. It worked well in LA to forestall dangerous and potentially deadly confrontation, which most Guard members want to avoid too. There's absolutely a time and place for confrontation, but generally it should be reserved as a last resort when other tactics have failed.
To this day what too many people "remember" is the canard about spitting on returning soldiers. This was extremely rare but it got blown up into the '60s version of a meme. We don't need a reprise.
I LOVE this response. This is non-violent opposition at its finest,
I agree. I've read that there's only around 800 of them (the MPD has over 3,400 police) and there are likely to soon become bored out of their minds unless mayor Muriel Bowser can give them something to do.
Russell - I thought that T only had control of the MPD for 48 hours? By my calculations he is out of time after today. He can keep calling for an “emergency” but at what point does the abuse become obvious to everyone? I also thought that the national guard can only protect buildings and not do anything law enforcement related - so what building is having a national emergency?
I think that it's 30 days under the Home Rule Act and then he needs Congressional approval. He has indicated that he wants to assume control in DC for a longer period and it remains to be seen whether he will bother to seek approval from Congress or just claim that his Article 2 power makes this unnecessary.
The National Guard ostensibly is there to protect federal assets and also to provide a safe environment for law officers. One sees members of the Guard patrolling with officers. We've also seen what this means in Los Angeles with the National Guard often exceeding their remit and US troops assisting with enforcement paperwork, so frankly I don't think Trump is going to be concerned about the constitutional or legal constraints.
In a press conference on Monday, the new US attorney for DC said that the laws were weak and Heaven only knows what that means.
Russell - Thank you for the clarification. I thought that I had read that he only had the MPD for 48 hours and the guard for 30 days before having to ask Congress. But I have read probably too much and I am getting the information mixed up.
You're welcome, Anon. There's so much going on at the same time.
I seem to remember that this was the strategy used in Berkeley when RayGun sent the National Guard in to quell the Peoples' Park protests. I seem to recall Guardsmen with flowers on their rifles.
That is one of several ways to include. I agree. Ultimately, the soldiers are human, have wives, children, relatives, some of whom may be homeless or wanting as well. I'm Generation Jones, but I remember my older brothers and sisters offering flowers to police.
I worked for the military for a long time. While there are a lot of people on "their and not our side", there are also a lot of upright decent respectable people. They just keep their mouths shut. I was that way as well. Generally in the military it has been the rule to keep politics to one's self. But once in a while I heard things, from both sides. I knew there were good people amongst them. I've met "a few".
Ask them to uphold their oath.
I agree it's a trial run, but I'm possibly naive enough to hope it's going to backfire BIGLY. People have just about had enough, and they're fighting back. Kudos to the guy who threw a Subway sandwich at the SS troops in DC. Humor may actually be the best weapon we have against these almost cartoonishly evil villains.
The noose is tightening... An impassioned plea emerges. In Democracy Docket today, Marc Elias elucidated what he feels matters most at this moment in time. As he states, "These elections (of 2026) pose the greatest threat to Trump's power, and power is the only thing that Trump values. Our best and perhaps only chance to ensure free and fair elections is to focus and fortify them now." According to Marc, if we put them on the " back burner" until Fall 2026, it will be too late.
Marc implores us to "pay attention" now to what Republicans are doing in every state to "undermine voters' rights in advance of the 2026 midterms. Furthermore, he wants us to insist..." that federal, state, and local governments use every available tool to protect our voting rights." As he warns, "This threat must take precedence over everything else."
We have two strong Senate contenders (Roy Cooper of N. Carolina and Sherrod Brown of Ohio).We need desperately to support all candidates that we can, we need to support all legal organizations that we can, and we need to support all independent media sources who provide a "lifeline" to truth telling. Saving our Democracy necessitates sacrifice, perseverance, and a long-term commitment to action.
If it makes you angry that we now have U.S. military pointed inward at us, and if it makes you angry that each and every day a more brazen Trump regime demands our subservience and expects our compliance- then you understand quite clearly that we cannot afford to be complacent nor can we afford to put our "heads in the sand". And , in the end, we cannot afford to hope that our sacred Democracy will miraculously be the " rabbit" that is pulled out of the magicians hat. Fight on please...
I wish people would stop wishfully thinking that the midterms will be anything but perfomative. it's not who votes, but who counts the votes. the terrorist organization known as the republican party is NOT going to give up power. accept that, deal with it. Meditate, garden, walk, gather with friends and neighbors but don't use electronic media to telegraph any plans for resistance.
There is significant anomalies in the swing state voting data that is incredibly unlikely. The Dems just rolled over and didn’t insist on a recount. I believe that Kamala won the election by a wide margin but the election was electronically hacked!
Which is why I think we need to stop thinking that those who voted for Trump are more numerous than those of us who voted for Kamala. It’s not the disenfranchised Magats that we’re up against. They’ll shortly realize that Rump the pedophile has played them and they’ll be worse off economically than ever. There will be huge climate disasters this fall that will be devastatingly without FEMA.
We have to boycott the monopolies and flood DC with protests as we did in the 70s to end the Vietnam conflict. I’m not talking about visiting your representatives or senators.
I’m talking about blocking traffic and surrounding government buildings on weekdays. Make it very inconvenient for this government to govern and without violence.
That’s what will strike fear in this fat , orange bully and his sycophants.
We should adopt New Hampshire’s state moto: Live Free or Die.
They are money hungry broken people with a misconception of themselves as bravely rearranging the USA into their perpetual money machine. They’ll never be kind or wise or suddenly see the error of their ways. They’ll never be strategic in anything other than making themselves richer. No one is coming to save us but ourselves.
We need to understand that now that they have committed to this takeover, there is no going back. No, “I guess we lost the midterms…and sure we’ll let all those people out of the concentration camps!” We’ll abide by the rules now!
They’re playing for keeps!
Defiance till victory! ✌🏽
Yeah, whatever happened to that Rockland County case in NY where Kamala had zero votes? That is clearly statistically impossible. Seems to have vaporized as of late. No more updates.
That sort of thing happened in various other swing states...where voters down ticket voted straight DEMS but flopped on the Presidential vote to Trump. This is unusual behavior showed up just enough to give the election to Trump but just enough to rise above the amount that trips an automatic recount of ballots.
yeah, but that scenario is being planned for with troops in the street. young dumb kids with guns. what could go wrong?
I remember being arrested for being on the sidewalk with intent to march to the Pentagon during the Mayday protest in 1972. They brought us all to the Washington Red Skins practice football field as a holding cell. It was completely surrounded , shoulder to shoulder by national guard soldiers with drawn bayonets. We got through it in one piece!
You maybe concerned about what could go wrong if we show up Paul, but I am more concerned about what has already gone wrong and what more can go wrong if we don't show up!
Good point on not broadcasting plans!
What is going to happen if women are turned away from voting in droves due to name change and other factors they can think up? That may create chaos at voting places. Republicans thrive on chaos and propaganda.
barefoot, pregnant, subservient, docile, obedient, quiet, homemaker.
I will never give up, most of all because they want me to. Nyah, nyah, nyah!
There is a type of thinking that I believe poisons all Democratic sites and stops us from doing what we must. Apparently, we can't vote for a Dem unless they are pure as the driven snow. We refuse to support a candidate who hasn't voted the way we want them to every single time.
Meanwhile, the Republicans hold their nose, bring their barf buckets, and pull the lever for their candidate, no matter how despicable, cruel, stupid, or violent.
We need to take a page from their book. Get the Democrat into office, then hold them accountable for their actions. We can't afford any more purity tests or any splitting the vote to "send a message." Elias is right: we have GOT to win this thing so decisively that no matter how they cheat or what unethical crap they pull, they cannot deny the victory.
Eventually Trump will be gone. Someone suggested that when it becomes apparent that Fatso is about to drop off the twig, he/she is going to buy about ten days' worth of supplies and hole up until the hysteria dies down. I think they have a point, because his cultists literally believe he's immortal. He's not, and when he goes, they will become irrational beyond belief.
The point is, TACO won't be here forever. No matter how nasty it gets, there will be life on the other side of the abyss. We have to make sure that the ugly legacy of MAGA is stopped here, now, so our kids and grandkids don't have to live in Nazi Germany 2.0.
Trump could "kick the bucket" at any point, but JD Vance is another form of monster himself... That's why we have to, like you suggest, win decisively in 2026... Get as much ID as is possible... I just read in Oregon, as with some other states, they denied giving voter info. to the regime. Everyone can raise their voices to be sure the states know you are watching... Kids and grandkids do deserve better than a life- suffocating autocracy.. Thank you for your post!
And something not enough Dems and Independents are discussing…fielding candidates for every single damned office on the ticket - county auditor, sheriff, dog catcher, whatever it is, right from the bottom to the top. I am registered in a swing state, and every time I get my absentee ballot, I am disappointed to see Republican candidates without any opposition. What’s wrong with you guys? Find decent people willing to put themselves forward for every single office in local, state and national elections. Sure, you may need to learn the job by doing it. So what? You think anyone was born fully qualified? Don’t let fascists win by default!
Run for an office! Be the role model!
That would be slightly tricky, hon. I live in Portugal.
People won't "follow" JD Vance the way they have followed Trumpet (my sobriquet of choice). He's not mean enough or intimidating enough.
Yes, people don't like him. I was thinking if Trump died while in office, we would be stuck with JD Vance, who, I feel is quite cold and calculating and definitely wants to destroy this Democracy.... not to mention his racism and on and on...
Linda - It is occasionally a small wish of mine that the 2026 elections were actually fair and the republicans lost at least the house. Then “something” would happen to T and Vance and that would mean Jeffries would be the next in line. I think that would really make the republicans irate and irrelevant and sting Johnson because he didn’t get his chance. It’s a silly idea but it is the only one I currently have that will put a small smile on my face even if I feel a little bit bad for thinking that way about some people.
RESIST!!
And Marc should know!!!!!
Given the amount of threats he gets, I would say he has more lives than a cat!
See my restack, incredibly important article from Wired
I found the article but one has to be a paid subscriber to read it...
Available on Apple News if you have that.
Trump has gone about enriching himself and his corrupt cronies as well as giving free rein to a bunch of perverted christo-fascist nationalists to enact cruel and sadistic policies and punishments. And now, a police state?
No surprise, it's a glaring betrayal by a crook who ran for office to stay out of jail. This nightmare 'white house' of horrors has put us all on a rickety rollercoaster headed into a dark abyss. Hold onto your hats people, things are about to get much the worse, it's about to crash in spectacular fashion as soaring prices, deprivation and recession hit hard.
When it does, I predict there will be a mass uprising, military or no military. Betrayal is a powerful emotion. A lot of people will have nothing to lose. The only question; is the military going to go along with this and turn their guns on their own people, friends, family? Or, will they defend the Constitution/democracy and turn their guns on the fascists. It's a BIG question.
I am right with you, my friend. But an "uprising" can be unarmed or armed. What's it to be? When Trump gives the order not for tear gas, but for live rounds, when protesters lie dead and the streets are scenes of a massacre, what then?
Hmm, I don't know. This situation is a bit different from the usual banana republic police state where a cowering population has no means to defend itself. There are 400 to 500 million civilian-owned firearms in the USA. The public is "armed".
Hi, Judith Montreal. I made a similar point just now.
How many Dems are willing to man the barricades armed? It’s almost a given with the cultists. But a Dem commenter yesterday was advocating giving cupcakes to troops sent in by Trump to intimidate the populace, so they would know we’re friendly. WTF?!
It's not war until they start shooting people, at which point it's war. The dems will likely form underground cells to fight the regime - as did the resistance in WWII, they're simply much smarter than the goons with the guns (on either side) and they will have help from the democracies outside of the US. On the cupcake thing, the majority of the troops don't want to gun down folks simply trying to uphold their rights and freedoms. A cupcake may not be the answer but the underlying truth of the gesture holds, "you are killing your own...we are not the enemy".
There are a great many armed citizens (and non-citizens) in your country, please recall. If the kettle gets boiling hot enough it will become a two-way rain of bullets.
It is sad that our military is getting personal responses like this. I don’t blame you- I just wish the individuals who are National Guard had some communal spine to respond to this ridiculous monster.
I’m carrying a subway sandwich everywhere now!
I suppose you could consider that a lethal weapon, considering the hygiene standards at some of the stores.
We won’t stop fighting until DJT and his cabinet of evil have been vanquished.
The Senate needs to invoke the 25th amendment to evict this lawless president
from the White House. They are not likely to act on their own without massive
pressure they cannot ignore.
We need a general strike all across the country calling on the Senate and Congress to act to stop the dismantling of the institutions that make this country function for the people who inhabit it.
It would be funny if masses of people bought subs and threw them to the soldiers. Imagine the optics if soldiers used force to battle sandwiches
Non-nuclear subs can still fight back.
This is also part of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025. The military enforcement of the Decrees of the President as absolute ruler of a Christian Nationalist State. This is absolutely a test, at all levels and ESPECIALLY the obedience of the Military.
😭
The Heritage Foundation is a real socialogical sore on our American society.
My Senators are MAGA.
Sadly the same here. But I am, whenever possible, sending Dan Osborne, some small contributions. I might consider getting more active in his campaign. He's an independent but working class and he sees the real problem that created the mess we're in.
As an employee of the DOL, am already seeing the job losses ! His handpicked stooge cannot hide the sad truth 😢
The law is clear. Monthly reports!
🤮
💯💯💯👏👏👏🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮
I'm so glad you wrote what many others will not: This is definitely a trial run toward martial law.
I agree, and I so appreciate the brilliance and perceptiveness of Professor Reich's insights, as frightening as they are.
What a gift he is!
It is pure truth
I also agree!..I have been writing & writing & writing ..I have talked about ALL these things to no avail..maybe it's because I'm 77yrs..maybe it's because I've was raised hearing stories from family members both bio & step..all from Germany on one side British on the other. U hear these stories when ur little ..u study the same stories as u go thru school & then one day it starts to appear here & u wonder WHAT?..WAIT A MINUTE-DONT RUSH TO JUDGEMENT - but then u sadly realize it's real & u look & listen to ur children & grdchildern talk some get it some don't care..u worry..I'm too old & busy caring for my 96yr mother & another family member to just go out & protest..so I write & I write now all that's left is prayer - real deep sincere prayers because right this moment we must choose..
AMERICA or trump - trump or AMERICA ......
the first trial run went well for dumpster; they're ignoring the court order to stop rounding up people based on skin color or name. the rogue6 ln scotus gave him carte blanche. when are people going to understand that?
For those of us outside the USA these are frightening times. Be safe!
Trust me, for those of us inside the USA these are frightening times.
For those of us inside the USA these are terrifying times! I'm 66 and disabled. Medicaid pays my daughter to care for me. When I lose my Medicaid, she loses her job. We're selling her house and leaving...if we can get out in time. Too many waited in Weimar Germany and they couldn't leave. Political enemies and disabled folks like us were the first to go to concentration camps.
🙁
Thank you! Even outside the US, please all stay aware and careful!
world-wide, democracy is under coordinated, concerted attack. in the open, unapologetically fascist. the oligarchs have won.
Not yet. But they are definitely gaining way too much support from those who have clearly never read any history.
Inside the USA it’s bloody terrifying.
I had a dream where Trump was cursed one morning, wherein his nose would grow when a lied and his ears would grow when he said something deranged, forcing us to hear it. Ironically, by noon, he was an elephant.
I had a dream Trump was arrested.
Love that dream!
Awesome!
Priceless. And that is why the mascot of the Republican Party is an elephant... he will eventually turn into one.
It seems as though he is presenting multiple ideas to gauge what gets through. He has been doing this for the past six months, particularly testing the boundaries of the rule of law and the Constitution. 🤔
Well, wasn’t that his M.O. for the 2nd term: Maximum distraction, constantly, layered upon other constant maximum distractions, everywhere, at all times?
(Sorry, I paraphrased. But I know some of you know his exact phrasing. Or maybe it was a pundit?)
Yes... I like your clarity, "Well, wasn't that his M.O.?"
It’s Not over. Regardless of how it seems, it’s not over by a long shot. It’s annoying to watch people throw in the towel. There is plenty to do and even if there wasn’t, I will continue to resist. Saying it’s over means you don’t have to try anymore. I disagree.
It is just starting!
Agree. Boycotts and work stoppages haven’t really begun. Many more days of protests ahead.
People continued to resist even after the Nazis took over. Read “The Hiding Place” by Corrie TenBoom.
Excellent book, I have read it and recommend it along with you.
Yes yes yes. All those pundits saying trump is simply kicking sand in the faces of Democrats are COMPLETELY missing the point
Will/can anything STOP HIM?
DUMP AND IMPEACH TRAITOR , NAZIS , FELONS, PREDATORS ,AND CON REPUBLICONS EVERYWHERE. YES CON REPUBLICONS, CLIMATE CHANGE IS DANGEROUS, REAL, DISRUPTIVE WORLDWIDE, COSTLY, AND PREVENTABLE. STOP DENYING CLIMATE CHANGE AND FACE THE SCIENCE . DUMP THE CON RTRUMP AND CRONIES. DEPORT RTRUMP'S WIFE AND RELATIVES. BOYCOTT NAZI MUSK AND NAZI RTRUMP.
Please don't use all caps all the time. It is too hard to read when you are screaming at us.
Trump was impeached twice and republicans let him off. It’s over
At least that creeper McConnell is finally gone! He is responsible for how rump did not get impeached!
It’s not over. It can’t be over. We must stay at it. We must elect all Democrats during the mid-terms next year. We must turn the balance of power in Congress so we can stop Trump from destroying America!
I don't assume there will be midterms. I think it's more likely there won't be. Remember that Rump has said more than once that his base would never have to vote again. I believe he's laying the foundation to make that true.
Denise, that is my fear, too - or that the voting machines are rigged.
We know that GOP operatives have accessed voting machines in more than one place. For example, see Tina Peters in Colorado, 2020. We don’t know where else that might have happened. After all, Elon bragged about having to change only two lines of code to change the election outcome.
Elections are over.
Sadly yes it is!
I don’t care about Melania and her relatives. CLIMATE CHANGE is my #1 worry for my grandchildren.
Right now, the number one concern should be getting through this mess so we can address climate change, if it's not too late already. I have a PhD in meteorology. I've looked at the data and trends. Climate change is a pressing issue.
Yes, Rich, we have to deal with this mess to have any hope of preventing further climate catastrophe. People need to see beyond their own noses and “the price of eggs.”
Agree
Trumpisarapistpedo
While I appreciate your clinical analysis of trump’s military takeover of DC without cause, I can assure you that this is much more than an oil side analysis. As a greater than 40 year resident of the dmv, I can assure you that this is scarier than hell. Never never ever have the residents of this general beltway community been this intimidated. A million of us. There has always been discourse, disagreement and discussion of what is the best way forward for our country, for all of us; but now this has been shut down tight. People are truly afraid. There is no discussion, no give and take……our country and our democracy are on the brink of collapse ….
Chris, this was important for us to hear. Thank you.
You’re not paranoid - you’re a realist. Unfortunately. That description made me nauseous from fear.
If Trump has erased parts of Maxwell's conviction and given her work release, there will be no doubt of his involvement, and his own MAGA base will largely desert him.
Good point,James...regarding "no doubt of his involvement." But, I would bet that his MAGA base will never desert him. Cults are a different breed.
He HAS done that.
Those people can rationalize anything, and when they cant, they pray.
Maybe they’ll attack him.
It was true that the two attempts made on his life were by his ex-MAGA followers. When some mentally unstable people find out they have been lied to, they don't like it.
I doubt they will leave. They will just want an invite to a resurrected pedo-island.
It's up to individual members of the military and National Guard, most of whom are loyal Americans, faithful to the Constitution, to just say NO. A patriot is one who defends his country from his government!
It's the beginning of Hitler's Nazi Germany all over again. This country is sick.