I will not host a livestream on Saturday due to No Kings Day 3.0.
Instead, I have attached a video below with my thoughts on where we stand in our defense of democracy as of March 28, 2026.
House Republicans revolt, will not bring Senate TSA compromise to floor for vote
Republicans are in disarray. Senate Republicans agreed to a Democratic proposal to fund TSA (but not ICE or CBP). After Republicans approved the compromise on a “unanimous consent” motion, GOP Senators fled Washington for a two-week recess.
Furious House Republicans refused to bring the Senate bill to the floor for a vote, and substituted a “continuing resolution” for all DHS funding—a bill that Chuck Schumer said was “DOA” in the Senate.
Given that Senate Republicans have departed D.C., it looks like there will be no legislative solution to the DHS shutdown for several weeks, at least.
Republicans are the governing party. Their inability to fund the Department of Homeland Security during an illegal war against Iran is problematic.
But there is no problem that Trump cannot solve by violating the Constitution. On Friday, he issued a “Presidential Memorandum” that instructed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to pay TSA agents by using funds with “a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations.” That test is a legal fiction for which Trump offers no authority.
The only legal authority cited in the memo, 31 USC 1301(a), prohibits the use of funds for purposes not included in the appropriations legislation. Section 1301(a) provides, in part, “Appropriations shall be applied only to the objects for which the appropriations were made.”
Neither § 1301 nor caselaw articulates a “reasonable and logical nexus” test cited in Trump’s memorandum as justification for diverting DHS operating funds to TSA salaries. The Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(1), says no person may “make or authorize an expenditure or obligation exceeding an amount available in an appropriation or fund for the expenditure or obligation.” It is a felony to willfully spend money not appropriated by Congress. 31 USC 1350.
What does this mean? It probably means that Trump will illegally pay TSA salaries with DHS operating funds. Doing so sets a dangerous precedent. Trump could apply the same rationale to fund ICE and CBP, while circumventing demands by congressional Democrats for reforms at both agencies.
The illegality of Trump’s move to pay TSA agents is receiving almost no commentary in the mainstream press because it is unlikely that anyone will sue or, if they do, that they will have standing to enforce the Antideficiency Act. But the fact that a statute is difficult to enforce does not mean that we should ignore Trump’s unlawful actions. Doing so encourages him to engage in unlawful behavior in the future.
Marco Rubio seems to concede that Iran will control the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely
Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo highlighted the fact that Secretary of State Marco Rubio told G7 members that Iran is likely to control the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely. See Talking Points Memo, Rubio: Iran May Own The Strait Now, And That’s a Huge Bummer.
If it is true that the result of Trump’s illegal war against Iran is to install Iran as the de facto landlord and toll collector, Trump’s war would be an unmitigated disaster. As Marshall wrote, “There’s really no way to describe this other than conceding that Iran will emerge from the war massively strengthened.”
Per TPM, Rubio said,
I did describe to our allies, however, that immediately after this thing ends, and we’re done with our objectives, the immediate challenge we’re going to face is an Iran that may decide that they want to set up a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz. Not only is this illegal, it’s unacceptable, it’s dangerous for the world. And it’s important that the world have a plan to confront it.
Uh, say what? “[T]hat the world have a plan to confront” Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz? It sounds like Rubio is assuming the US will end its war against Iran without reestablishing the Strait of Hormuz as an international waterway. That would be bad. Very bad.
Opportunities for reader engagement
See the announcement below regarding Seth Bodnar, an independent candidate running for US Senate in Montana. Note that I will be moderating one of the events (on Tuesday, March 31).
Two Opportunities to Meet Seth Bodnar, Independent Candidate from Montana for US Senate
Can a pro-choice, pro-housing, pro-healthcare and pro-public-lands Independent win Montana’s open US Senate seat? Two chances to meet Seth Bodnar next week to find out more. For background, Seth is the former president of the University of Montana, a Green Beret, and graduated first in his class from West Point. His parents were public school teachers in northwest Pennsylvania and he is raising three children in Montana with his wife, a fifth-generation Montanan. Watch his launch video here.
When:
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Monday, March 30 at 11:00 am Eastern/ 8:00 am Pacific on Zoom. Register for the Zoom (click on the March 30 option). Donate here. Hosted by Downtown Nasty Women, Markers For Democracy, and Team Min.
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Tuesday, March 31 at 8:00 pm Eastern/5:00 pm Pacific on Zoom- Moderated by Robert Hubbell. Register for the Zoom. Donate Here. Hosted by Senate Circle.
No donations required, but of course welcome for both Zooms.
PostCards to Voters
Last Weekend to Write PTV Postcards for Two April 7th Elections—and We Need Help to finish their lists.
In Wisconsin, a win for Judge Chris Taylor in the WI Supreme Court Election April 7th will ensure we hold the liberal majority on the court through the 2028 presidential election. Postcards and calls are also energizing Wisconsin Democrats now for November elections when we have opportunity to flip enough WI state house seats to win a trifecta (blue majorities in both chambers and Governor), which could then immediately call to redistrict to gain blue congressional seats for 2028 elections. In Georgia, Sean Harris is in the April 7th runoff to fill Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat. Maybe a long shot, but Special Elections often have low turnout and Dems have been winning. Even if he loses but does well, it’s a victory. And he is energizing Democrats ahead of Senator Jon Ossoff’s November race, which we MUST WIN.
Deadline to mail for these two April 7th elections is Tuesday, March 31st. Could you write 5 or 10 postcards? Sign up here to help. If you are already a member, hop on Web Abby to choose a campaign and receive the script and addresses!
Remarks as we take to the streets for No Kings Day 3.0!
Concluding Thoughts
As you protest tomorrow, you are following in the footsteps of civil rights marchers, suffragettes, LGBTQ activists, anti-war protestors of the 1960s, American colonists, union workers, farmers, factory workers, and moms and dads who exemplified courage and persistence.
Our nation is calling us in its time of need. We must respond to that call, we must reclaim democracy by making it our own, as every generation before us has done and every generation following us must do. Democracy is the act of transmitting justice, liberty, and equality from one generation to the next. Ours must not be the generation that falters.
The tens of millions of Americans who will protest on No Kings Day 3.0 fill me with confidence, hope, and anticipation about the necessary battles that lie ahead.
We are winning. We are on the right path. Ultimate victory will not be easy, and things may get worse before they get better, but they will get better—so long as we do not quit!
It is an honor to be by your side in this struggle to preserve democracy.
Be safe and stay strong, everyone. I will talk to you tomorrow!
Daily Dose of Perspective
NGC 2174 is an emission nebula located about 6,400 light-years away from Earth. It’s an active star-forming region where ultraviolet radiation from young, hot OB stars ionizes the surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to glow in red H-alpha light.
Pro-democracy protest photos
Not a protest photo, but I passed this beautiful bird just a couple of blocks from my place this afternoon, perched on a snow berm. It made me think of No Kings 3 tomorrow. I’m taking it as a good omen.
Protest sign for tomorrow in Concord, MA
Visibility Brigade Sonoma County! Lots of honks!!Advertising for No Kings got a big response!!
Little Rock, Arkansas
Redmond, WA
People of all ages have been there on all 4 corners of this intersection with their protest every Thursday at 4:00 pm since February 2025!
My sign for No Kings Day 3, Camogli, Italy.
Photos of members of a retirement community in Concord, Massachusetts.
My sign for Saturday (no location specified).
My sign for Saturday. (Unknown location)
The leader of our Raleigh Bridge Brigade worked with others on their first projection project in Raleigh - projecting our message on the side of a bridge just before sunrise one day this week! It’s another way we want to get the word out to early risers that the movement is on!!!
Visibility Brigade in Paramus NJ
John Sharaf Photography
Here’s the sign I’ll be holding on Saturday. It was hard to choose what to say when there’s so much to say.
Chattanooga’s No Kings will be 1-3 PM on Saturday at the riverfront park called Ross’s Landing. 💪🇺🇲
This was my favorite campaign sign. Repurposed for tomorrow.Will be in Peterbough, NH, tomorrow
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