Since the first day of his second term, Donald Trump has refused to follow the Constitution. This month, Trump is asking Congress to continue his lawless reign by passing a “continuing resolution” that will fund the government at its current levels—including its current levels of lawlessness.
Congress should refuse to do so. Instead, Congress should
Defund Trump.
Defund and abolish ICE.
Defund and abolish the Department of Homeland Security.
Defund Trump’s ability to invade sovereign nations and NATO allies.
Defund the corrupt DOJ that investigates the victims of crime and protects the out-of-control thugs wearing facemasks and flak jackets.
Is it “radical” to suggest “defunding” major agencies in the federal government? Hmm. . . let’s see. What did Donald Trump threaten to do today? He threatened to “defund” every state that has a “sanctuary city” —which means Trump will “cut off” federal funds to states representing 37% of the American population. See AP, Trump says next month he’s halting payments to ‘sanctuary cities’ and their states. (“Starting Feb. 1, we’re not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities . . . .”)
To be clear, Trump. has no authority to “cut off” funding to any state or city. Congress controls appropriations and the president is obligated by law to carry out those appropriations. But Trump has been violating his obligation to “faithfully execute the laws” by refusing to spend money as directed by Congress.
Which brings us back to the question of why Congress should appropriate any funds, especially for ICE, DHS, and DOJ, if Trump refuses to follow the will of the people as implemented by Congress. If Trump is going to defund the states, we should defund Trump.
Realistically, it is unlikely that the current Congress will defund any federal agencies in the short term. That does not mean congressional Democrats should not try. They should do everything they can to defund Trump, ICE, DHS, and the DOJ.
Some groups propose making defunding ICE a litmus test for supporting Democratic candidates in 2026. We should not and need not adopt such a potentially divisive position heading into the 2026 midterms.
The next Democratic president can abolish ICE and DHS in the same way that Trump has employed stealth to eliminate the Department of Education—without so much as a single vote in Congress:
Layoff senior leaders, put all ICE hires under Trump on administrative leave and force them to meet all the background, security, and training requirements required before Trump opened the door to misfits, troublemakers, and white nationalists.
Cut budgets, transfer functions to other agencies, withhold funds based on “fraud, waste, and abuse,” and then litigate the issue for years in the courts.
We can abolish ICE without congressional action. Trump, courtesy of John Roberts, has shown us the way.
Do the same with DHS and the DOJ.
Do we need a Department of Homeland Security? Probably not. The US has 17 intelligence agencies (not including Homeland Security). The National Security Advisor and the Director of National Intelligence can (and do) coordinate intelligence activities of the 17 agencies. The Department of Homeland Security is surplusage that is infected with Trump lackeys, white nationalists, and rogue agents. Not all, but many. Reduce it to nothingness in the same way we abolish ICE without congressional action.
Do we need a DOJ? Absolutely! But the agency is a fish rotting from the head. It needs to be hollowed out—again—and rebooted with a new cadre of professional lawyers whose first and only loyalty is to the Constitution, not to the president, a political party, an ideology, the Federalist Society, or the Heritage Foundation.
Each of those agencies can be starved of funds in the upcoming fight over the next continuing resolution this month. Democratic and Republican Senators can refuse to confirm any nominee for the DOJ or DHS unless and until ICE’s budget is drastically cut, its senior officers are fired, and its agents begin to follow the Constitution, wear body cameras, remove their masks, and wear badges and ID numbers plainly visible to the public.
While you may believe such proposals are extreme, a plurality of Americans now support the abolition of ICE—something that would have been unthinkable a year ago. See Daily Beast, Shocking Poll Shows Americans Have Completely Flipped on ICE. (“The Economist-YouGov poll published Tuesday found that 46 percent of Americans support abolishing the agency in the wake of ICE agent Jonathan Ross shooting and killing Renee Good.”)
The number of Americans supporting the abolition of ICE is only going to go up, given that ICE is intensifying its Gestapo-like tactics in Minneapolis in response to its killing of Renee Good. The more that Trump, Vance, and Karoline Leavitt slander Renee Good, the more Americans recoil in disgust at their ghoulish celebration of the killing of an innocent mother of three. See Yahoo News, Poll: Only 27% of Americans think Minneapolis ICE shooting was ‘justified’. (“[A] 52% majority — say the shooting was not justified.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is literally invading Minnesota with rogue, poorly trained, unqualified ICE officers who believe they have “absolute immunity”—because JD Vance told them so. See Federal Agents In Minnesota Wreak Havoc As They Demand Papers, Conduct Arrests.
Per HuffPo,
Federal agents in Minnesota continue to wreak havoc on the state and its residents, following the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis last week.
In one instance which was captured on a video and shared on social media, a group of ICE agents surround a woman’s car on the same street in Minneapolis where an anti-ICE protest was occurring. The agents broke one of her windows and forcefully yanked the woman out of her vehicle as she declared she was disabled and trying to get to a doctor’s appointment.
The only branch of government with any hope of stopping the invasion is Congress—and the only mechanism is the upcoming continuing resolution funding bill. Democrats should exercise their leverage to the fullest extent possible. And we should stiffen their backbones by protesting in the streets on a continuous basis to remind them who is the boss of our democracy: We, the people.
Heroes and collaborators.
When Trump is no longer president, there will be a national reckoning for everyone who lived under his lawless regime. Some will be counted as heroes, others as collaborators. We should begin letting collaborators know now that they will not be accepted into professional organizations, business leadership positions, or polite society when Trump is no longer in a position to protect them.
Let’s take a look at the DOJ, which has refused to open an investigation into the ICE officer (Johathan Ross) who killed Renee Good, but is investigating Renee’s wife for possible prosecution. The US Attorney for the District of Minnesota is Dan Rosen, who specializes in “eminent domain” cases and has no prosecutorial experience. He has apparently refused to open an investigation into Jonathan Ross. Instead, he is apparently directing senior prosecutors in his office to investigate Renee Good’s wife.
On Tuesday, six prosecutors serving under Dan Rosen quit or retired rather than carry out orders to investigate Renee Good’s wife. See New York Times, Six Prosecutors Quit Over Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow. (Gift article, accessible to all.)
Those resigning included Joseph H. Thompson, who was second in command at the U.S. attorney’s office, and Harry Jacobs, Melinda Williams and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez. Each will be remembered as a hero who upheld the highest traditions of the once-and-future DOJ.
So, too, will be the four prosecutors who resigned from the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ because of that division’s failure to open an investigation into the ICE agent who killed Renee Good. See Federal prosecutors resign amid turmoil over Minnesota ICE shooting investigation | CBC News. (“Several supervisors in the criminal section of the Justice Department’s civil rights division have also given notice of their departures, they said.”)
Although we have yet to see how US Attorney Dan Rosen is conducting his investigation, the resignation of six prosecutors from his office is damning. If the facts are as they appear, Dan Rosen will be remembered as a Trump collaborator. So, too, with the head of the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, who is refusing to allow an investigation into Renee Good’s killer, ICE Agent Jonathon Ross.
Trump is losing his mind. No, really.
On Tuesday, Trump took two actions that would have resulted in the invocation of the 25th Amendment or impeachment and removal of any other president. In the first incident, Trump was told that the Prime Minister of Greenland said that if put to the choice, Greenland would “choose Denmark.” In response, Trump said,
Well, that is their problem. I disagree with them. I don’t know who he is [Greenland’s Prime Minister]. Don’t know anything about him. But that is going to be a big problem for him.
In the second incident, Trump said “F*ck you” and flipped his middle finger at an autoworker who shouted that Trump was “protecting pedophiles.” See HuffPo, ‘F**k You’: Trump Drops F-Bomb Before Flipping Off Autoworker.
Looks like the Epstein files are still a sensitive subject for Trump, who is doing everything he can to distract attention from his continuing cover-up. Trump has pushed the House Oversight Committee to subpoena former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to testify. They have declined to comply with the subpoena, as explained in a lengthy letter released by the Clintons, here: Bill Clinton on X: “This is not about Right or Left, it’s about Right and Wrong.
As the Clintons note, they have offered written statements in lieu of testimony. Moreover, the Committee has subpoenaed, and then relented, with respect to seven other witnesses who refused to testify. The Committee has failed to subpoena the two witnesses with the most direct knowledge: Ghislaine Maxwell and Donald Trump. For a discussion of the Clintons’ letter to the Oversight Committee, see Deseret News, Clintons refuse to testify in Epstein inquiry.
Supreme Court seems poised to uphold ban on transgender athletes in high school sports
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in a case involving challenges to state bans on transgender athletes in high school sports. As expected, the reactionary majority generally supported the right of states to ban transgender athletes under Title IX, but it left open the question of whether such bans violated the Constitution. See Chris Geidner, Law Dork, SCOTUS likely to allow state trans sports bans, but a changed tone could signal a narrow ruling.
I recommend Geidner’s analysis, which emphasizes the likely narrow basis for the ruling and the prospect that such bans may be ruled unconstitutional in future cases. Per Geidner,
[A]fter nearly three-and-a-half hours of arguments between the Idaho and West Virginia cases, it seemed almost as likely that the court would issue a narrow ruling in the case — allowing those bans under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and a later amendment to the law but leaving open the questions of whether such bans violate constitutional equal protection guarantees and whether states that allow trans girls to participate in girls sports can do so under Title IX. [¶]
It’s dangerous to read too much into arguments, and (again) it did appear that a majority of the court would allow trans sports bans to remain in effect for now, but there was a different tone on Tuesday — particularly among the younger Republican appointees. As Kavanaugh put it at one point to Kathleen Hartnett, the Cooley partner representing Lindsay Hecox, a trans college student in Idaho, “I think one of the themes of your argument has been the more people learn, the more they’ll agree with you.
There is, perhaps, the slightest opening that a five-person majority (including Kavanaugh and Barrett) might find that transgender bans violate the Constitution. In the meantime, the state bans remain in effect, thereby denying transgender athletes the same rights open to all other athletes.
Audio glitch solved!
Thanks to everyone who volunteered to help with my audio glitch for the recorded version of the newsletter. I received dozens of offers of help and am deeply grateful to the community for its support.
A Grammy-award-winning sound engineer, Greg L., walked me through every setting on my soundboard until we found the culprits: the de-esser and noise-gate filters, which automatically flipped on when I relocated my soundboard this weekend. I would have never figured it out on my own. Thanks, Greg!
Opportunities for Reader Engagement
I will be the guest on the first 2026 episode of It Needs to Be Said with Susan Wagner, of the Grassroots Connector.
Join us for the first episode of It Needs to Be Said in 2026, Thursday, January 15 at 8:00pm ET/5pm PT). Susan Wagner will be in conversation with Robert Hubbell, author of the Substack publication, Today’s Edition.
Susan and I will discuss the Grassroots Movement with a look ahead to where the grassroots groups will have a decisive impact in the 2026 midterms. I will discuss breaking news in the US and abroad, focusing on how these events will play out in upcoming elections. See link here for instructions on how to join the Substack livestream: It Needs to Be Said with Robert Hubbell – by Susan Wagner.
My interview with Gina Hinojosa, candidate for governor of Texas.
In case you missed it, I interviewed Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for governor of Texas, and Katherine Pichardo, Executive Director of Latino Victory, on Tuesday morning. The livestream is here: Robert Hubbell interviews Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for governor of Texas.
Check out Gina’s campaign site, which includes a compelling campaign video: Gina Hinojosa for Texas Governor | Official Campaign Website. Flipping Texas blue begins with electing a Democratic governor!
Also, be sure to check out Latino Victory’s Substack website to stay up to date on Latino Victory’s efforts to support Latino candidates and increase Latino voter turnout.
Concluding Thoughts
A reader (Keith P.) sent me a copy of a “letter to the editor” that he submitted to multiple newspapers. His closing paragraph is a perfect way to end tonight’s newsletter:
The only answer seems to be that we the people—those of us who consent to be governed—must withdraw that consent loudly, in much larger numbers. I will be out on the street with my sign at every organized protest and invite others to join until we reach the numbers required to force an autocracy to change course, which some historians say is three percent. You may have other ways to “withdraw your consent.” Great. But can we please get on with it, so that we all can once again debate policy and live with hope for the future instead of watching our world reel in turmoil . . . .?
Well said. I encourage other readers to make their voices heard by writing letters to the editor. Newspapers are desperate for high-quality content. Let’s give it to them!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Daily Dose of Perspective
The California Nebula is located 1,300 light years from Earth.
Pro-democracy protest photos
Photo of my friend with her handmade sign at the Nevada Statehouse
.Thousands of us shut down Main St in Northampton on Sunday with total police cooperation to keep us safe. Inspiring!
Jan 6 rally supporting police officers who protected us on Jan 6 2021. In front of Capitol.
Huge gathering in Concord - we missed you and Jill!
Pullman, WA, on January 10, 2026.
Week 2 of Year 2. 43 people standing up for Democracy today in Bangor, Maine.
Several hundred people gathered at Pack Square in Asheville, NC on Sunday afternoon to protest ICE and the murder of Renee Good.
About 150 protestors on Sunday, January 11, sang protest songs, waved at honking motorists, and displayed clever signs, like this one:
This is a bridge brigade from Indivisible North Metro, Champlin, MN for Renee Nicole Good. We had around 40 participants this evening.
This small group has been protesting twice a week since June. Started by one man who felt he needed to do something. Now there are a few different groups protesting at the same time along 75 miles and 2 counties in a rural area. We count the number of honks and negatives, and the honks far outweigh the negatives!
A laundromat in Morristown, NJ was raided by ICE on Sunday. Ten or so members of our community were apprehended and are being held in an ICE detention center, including a honor student from Morristown High School. Tonight 300 or so members of our community raised their voices loudly in protest. Hundreds of passing cars honked their support.
A thousand people or more out in Philly on Saturday marched to the detention center. And that was after a thousand spontaneously the night Renee was killed. We will keep it up.
A group of about 60 people turned out today at a busy intersection in Deerfield, Illinois (suburb of Chicago) for a weekly Tuesday protest sponsored by the local Democratic Party affiliate. Organizers had sent out press releases ahead of time, and camera men from three local TV stations showed up to film and interview protesters.
Last Sunday several hundred showed up on the Routt County courthouse lawn in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Photo credits: Steamboat Pilot & Today
Windy and chilly in the 40°s this morning but glad to have had 7 volunteers on the Galveston pedestrian bridge over the 101 frwy for rush hour.
Indivisible rally and vigil tonight in front of the Customs and Border Protection building a few blocks from the White House. It was chilly, but there was a great crowd, especially for a Tuesday evening, probably at least 1000 people by our estimate. The speakers were inspiring and people were committed to keeping up the pressure
We had a good turnout on Sunday for our little red mountain town’s protest against ICE’s Minneapolis killing of Renee Good, about 150 people. Lots of supportive honks and waves. Tehachapi, CA
White Plains, NY
We have a weekly protest at this site each Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30. Lots of honks!
Over 500 people at Indivisible’s Ice Out For Good protest in Iowa City on Sunday.
Every Saturday and Sunday there is a protest in downtown Lawrence Ks at a major interjection. Here are pics from the Sunday demonstration.
Downtown South Bend, Indiana memorial vigil in honor of Renee Nicole Good and in opposition to ICE. Few signs, mostly in sorrow. Program of music and call to action, and reading of Amanda Gorman’s poem in honor of Renee Nicole Good and the statement from her wife in praise and honor. Yet even as dusk settled around us, people driving by on the main street through the city, curving about 20 or 30 yards away from our staging area, gave out honks of approval.
We persevere! Weekly Visibility Bridge in Lexington, MA over US 95/Rt 128. It was abeautiful day, 47 degrees and sunny. Lots of honks!
Saline, MI
We attended an ICE recruitment event in St. Petersburg today at a Hilton Hotel. It was nice to see some younger protesters. Ironically, at various times there were more police there than protesters. Sadly, many of our homegrown “FLORIDA MEN” in big pick up trucks were pulling into the parking lot to apply.
It is very challenging living in this red state where our voices are drowned out but we persist! We met a lady (pictured) that told us she sends pics of herself protesting to her grandkids to show them how it’s done. We will keep showing up!
Santa Barbara, CA
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