Download this image from Into Action here.
Hi, all, and happy Friday.
I have a cold, so pardon the brevity of this opening. My head feels…not normal.
Yesterday the gloves finally came off. Governor Newsom announced that California will hold an election in November to decide if we will temporarily enact a partisan gerrymander in order to counter Republicans’ escalated map-rigging. It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this, but as far as I can tell it’s the only move we’ve got. We have learned from hard experience that taking the so-called high road with Republicans achieves nothing—except leaving us miles behind, bruised and battered, and unable to catch up.
This, in short, isn’t politics as usual. It’s an emergency for our democracy. We need to act accordingly.
Some key parts of the plan that will go to California voters for approval, according to Newsom’s team:
If Texas and other Republican-held states change their district boundaries to elect more Republicans to Congress in next year’s elections, in order to make things fair on a national level, California will also change their boundaries to elect more Democrats in next year’s elections, to prevent the Republicans from rigging the system to keep them in power.
It affirms California’s commitment to national redistricting reform – retaining California’s Citizen Redistricting Commission for the regular redistricting after the 2030 census and declaring it state policy to support the use of fair, nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide. In other words, THIS IS TEMPORARY.
It keeps California’s current commission-drawn maps if Texas and other states retain their current maps.
It’s important that to emphasize that this measure is temporary, it’s done only to counter Republicans’ attempt to rig the maps for the midterms, and that Democrats remain committed to redistricting reform. Remind your Trumpy uncle—or even someone who’s simply unsure about California’s move—that Democrats have repeatedly introduced legislation to end partisan gerrymandering. Like, repeatedly. Not a single Congressional Republican has ever voted for it. EVER.
Also, if you didn’t get a chance to watch Heather Cox Richardson’s Live with Newsom yesterday definitely do. It’s fantastic and will clarify a lot.
OK, folks. I know this is all extraordinarily hard and exhausting. I am so grateful to be here with you.
One more question—would it help you if I did a second Live each week, but one where it was just me and not an interview? Just so we can hang out and I can give you a pep talk? Or are you inundated with such things? Let me know!
OK. Let’s get to work.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲 and Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I am calling for myself and the 700,000 Americans living in Washington DC who have no voting representation in Congress.
I’m disgusted and alarmed at Trump’s sending the National Guard into DC. Also at his threat to do the same in other Democrat-led cities. And at his use of armed Border Patrol agents to intimidate Gavin Newsom at his press conference yesterday. This is unacceptable! America is turning into a country I don’t even recognize, and it can only end terribly. Already tourism is drying up. Our economy is crashing. No one wants to invest in us. Trump’s authoritarianism is terrible for business, terrible for our economy, and most of all terrible for us. Congress is supposed to be a check and balance on this madman. Please act like it! Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Submit Comment by August 26 on Proposed Plan to Reorganize USDA
Join the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) in responding to the Trump admin’s proposed plan to reorganize USDA. This plan includes closing the Food and Nutrition Service headquarters, relocating most of its staff out of the Washington, D.C. area, and reducing the regional offices from seven to five and relocating these to new hub areas within two years.
This shift will have a long-lasting, negative impact on the agency’s ability to administer the federal nutrition programs in an effective and timely manner. Concern has already been raised by House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) and other Agriculture Committee Democrats in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. You can use it to find good talking points or say the below—but make sure to personalize!
Send your letter to reorganization@usda.gov and make the subject “Comment on Secretary Memorandum: SM 1078-015”
Dear Secretary Rollins:
I’m writing to comment on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) reorganization plan, as outlined in the memorandum issued on July 24, 2025.
I am deeply concerned that this proposed reorganization will dismantle a department with critical responsibilities, resulting in real consequences for the millions of children, parents, older adults, veterans, people with disabilities, and all those who depend on these nutrition programs to be food secure.
Relocating thousands of federal employees from the Washington, D.C., area and consolidating the regional offices will result in an outsized loss of expertise and capacity. Delays in critical services and gaps in oversight are more likely when experienced staff choose to resign rather than move, and when critical offices needed for technical support are dismantled.
Additionally, reducing the number of regional offices from seven to five will further increase disruptions to services. These regional offices often provide the first line of support for state and tribal agencies administering the federal nutrition programs, especially those that are under-resourced and rely heavily on the support for compliance and technical assistance. This consolidation will likely delay the review and approval of key waivers or program management plans.
I urge the USDA to commit to maintaining or expanding its capacity in administering the federal nutrition programs, not reducing it. I also urge USDA to pause the implementation of this reorganization and facilitate a transparent process that includes consultation with Congress, state agencies, national and local partners, and impacted USDA staff.
Thanks,
[Name, address]
Get Smart! 📚
A new study was just released showing that mass deportation is already hurting our economy. I found it to be educational and important. If you want to read the white paper you can—here! Then share it with friends and family who still think mass deportation will lower prices.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
The economy is flailing and it’s really important that we keep highlighting that fact. Here’s a list of recent developments, with sources from Defending America Action:
BY THE NUMBERS
1 in 3 Americans now say their financial situation has deteriorated in the past year (Yahoo Finance)
American consumer sentiment unexpectedly fell for the first time in months (Bloomberg)
The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, rose in June and July at the fastest annual pace in five months (The New York Times)
The producer price index experienced its largest rise in three years, growing around 1 percent in July – 4.5 times faster than economists anticipated (The Daily Beast)
The U.S. budget deficit in July climbed 20 percent this fiscal year thanks to Trump and Republicans’ Big, Ugly bill, nearing $37 trillion (The Washington Post)
Fast-casual and fast-food restaurant sales dropped last quarter by as much as 7 percent for many businesses, including Sweetgreen, Chipotle, KFC, Wendy’s, Popeyes, Wingstop, and more (Axios)
Vegetable prices spiked nearly 40 percent in July, largely due to Trump’s tariff scheme (Axios)
Many food costs are rising faster than inflation overall, with eggs, coffee, beef and veal, candy and chewing gum, sugar and sweets, bacon, and bananas all up between 4 and 16 percent year-over-year (CNBC)
American companies hit their highest rate of layoffs since COVID-19 this month, with U.S.-based employers announcing more than 800,000 job cuts in 2025 through the end of July (Fast Company)
Given all this, it’s no wonder that Trump’s approval is 27 points underwater on inflation.
Give 💰!
Democrats have launched a website to raise money for the California redistricting initiative. This is going to be a VERY expensive fight, and we absolutely MUST win it. If you can give please do.
Get in the Streets! 🪧
Tomorrow there are rallies nationwide to STOP THE TRUMP TAKEOVER.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T Coleman Rogers] [Text SIGN PETIXI to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
The Department of Veterans Affairs is facing a critical staffing crisis that threatens the health and well-being of our nation’s heroes. Thousands of doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals are leaving the VA, creating dangerous gaps in care for those who have sacrificed so much for our country. This exodus of essential personnel directly contradicts the promise we’ve made to our veterans.
VA Secretary Doug Collins’ assertion that these staff reductions won’t impact healthcare quality is demonstrably false. The loss of specialized medical professionals will inevitably lead to longer wait times, reduced access to critical services, and a decline in the quality of care our veterans receive. This is an unacceptable betrayal of our moral obligation to those who have served.
The current regime’s push towards privatization of veteran healthcare is a misguided attempt to solve a problem by creating a far worse one. Privatization will likely result in higher costs and reduced access to the specialized services that the VA is uniquely equipped to provide. Our veterans deserve better than to be treated as commodities in a profit-driven healthcare market.
Congress must act immediately to fully fund and staff the VA. This is not a partisan issue; it is a matter of national honor and moral imperative. We cannot allow political maneuvering to compromise the health and dignity of those who have put their lives on the line for our nation.
I urge you to take immediate action. Allocate the necessary funds to not only maintain but expand VA staffing levels. Resist any attempts to privatize veteran healthcare services. Support initiatives to recruit and retain top medical talent within the VA system. Our veterans fought for us; now it’s time for Congress to fight for them.
The strength of our nation is measured not by our military might alone, but by how we care for those who have borne the battle. Let us not fail in this most sacred duty. Fund the VA fully, staff it properly, and honor the debt we owe to our veterans with more than just words, but with concrete action.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
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