Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.
I didn’t watch Pete Hegseth’s performance this morning—you’ll remember my saying last week that watching fascists act like fascists isn’t my favorite way to spend time. I have, though, seen clips, read basic coverage, and scanned social media, and it seems like it was about what we thought it was going to be: a piece of pathetic, costly performance art meant to shore up Trump’s (and Hegseth’s) faltering egos, bolster their authoritarian bona fides, and remind America (and the world) that they have the power to order the US’s highest brass from place to place, regardless of sense or cost. There was talk of beards, body weight, and allowing criminal soldiers back into the armed services. Trump spoke of blue cities as if they were an enemy with which the government is “at war.”
All in all, yes, it was a new low. We’ll be calling about it for sure.
Meanwhile Trump continues to repeat that he’s going to fire countless federal workers and “it’ll be Democrats’ fault” if there’s a shutdown. He also continues to repeat the lie that Democrats want to give “full health insurance to illegals” (his words, not mine), and that’s why we’re shutting down the government. (I debunked that one here, if you’re interested). He’s brought out the anti-trans rheoric, too. He’s throwing everything at the wall, in short, and seeing what sticks.
It’s our job to make sure nothing does.
Look, all. I wish Democrats had a brilliant messaging strategy that was effectively communicating what’s happening in this fight and why it matters. To the extent that they do, it’s not coming from leadership, but rather from a few new-media-literate lawmakers, a handful of left-leaning content creators, and Substack authors like Robert Hubbell, who continues to explain the stakes of this fight perfectly, and Heather Cox Richardson, who’s doing a yeoman’s work helping Americans understand the details.
For the most part, however, it’s up to us. We need to understand what’s happening; we need to explain it to those around us, and we need to lead the fight to resist Trump’s authoritarian, corrupt, and inept takeover.
It’s a tall order; none of us want this responsibility. Yet here we are, and there’s little choice in how we respond. We can either pull the covers over our heads and try to ignore what’s happening—which will only work temporarily—or, we can invite more Americans to join us, summon our spirit of defiance, and fight.
Because remember, when we fight, we win. We’ve shown it over and over again. All we need do is show up despite our fear.
So let’s do that one more time. Because while Pete Hegseth is playing a tough guy on TV, we actually are the tough ones. He, Trump, and the whole MAGA crew will be scorned and rejected by history. You, my friends, will be celebrated by it.
Never forget it. Now let’s get to work.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I want Democrats to hold the line until ACA tax credits are extended and there are written guarantees that Trump will allow appropriated funds to be spent. Regardless of party, ALL Senators should be fighting for this.
Second, the fact that Mike Johnson hasn’t sworn in Adelita Grijalva yet is outrageous. It’s clearly because he’s afraid of the release of the Epstein files. Has the Senator called for those files to be fully released?
Finally, I’m calling to express my deep outrage about Secretary Hegseth’s dangerous speech, where he openly encouraged our military to commit war crimes, even on US soil against US citizens. Demanding our military blindly follow political and illegal orders is grossly authoritarian, and puts our national security and individual freedom at risk. I ask the Senator to immediately move to impeach him as Secretary. [H/T 5 calls]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I want the ACA premium tax credits extended and I want written guarantees that Trump will allow appropriated funds to be spent. Regardless of party, ALL Congressmembers should be fighting for this.
Second, the fact that Mike Johnson hasn’t sworn in Adelita Grijalva yet is outrageous. It’s clearly because he’s afraid of the release of the Epstein files. I want the Congressmember to call for him to swear her in right away.
Finally, I’m calling to express my deep outrage about Secretary Hegseth’s dangerous speech, where he openly encouraged our military to commit war crimes, even on US soil against US citizens. Demanding our military blindly follow political and illegal orders is grossly authoritarian, and puts our national security and individual freedom at risk. I ask the Congressmember to immediately move to impeach him as Secretary. [H/T 5 calls]
Extra Credit ✅
Stand Up for Science has launched a campaign to see RFK “The Quack” Jr. removed from his office as Secretary of Health and Human Services. In addition to working with members of the House to bring forward articles of impeachment, they are taking creative action against Bobby Jr. THEY NEED YOUR HELP! For $3, you can send a Rubber Duck to YOUR House Representative with a message to “Impeach the Quack” and sign their petition (which is being delivered in person, too!). They will be delivering Quack-o-Grams until “The Quack” is gone. People living in red districts are STRONGLY encouraged to participate!
Check out their first delivery here: Impeach Bobby “The Quack” Jr! Stand Up For Science Delivers Quack-O-Grams to Congress.
Get Smart! 📚
There’s a new grassroots push demanding Democratic candidates to sign on to a proactive, doable vision for the future of the country before the midterms: it’s called American Demands.
Their theory of change is aligned with my own—to get Trump out of office, it’s not going to be enough to run against him. Democrats have to run for something, and American Demands has created toolkits for you to help shift the future of the party and the country by demanding the Democrats sign on to a vision that centers working people. You can follow them on Instagram at @americandemands and check out the website at www.americandemands.com to download graphics, physical flyers, scripts for calls or emails to candidates or electeds, and to sign up for future calls to action via their email list.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
Ways and Means Democrats have released a good ad about the shutdown. Please amplify!
Win Races! 🗳
Join Postcards to Virginia over Zoom on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 7 pm for their final National Postcard Party for Virginia - Local Races Night, to write postcards in community while we hear from (and speak with) some of the Virginia school board and supervisor candidates who are doing this important work on the ground. Register here.
Large donors and multiple organizations are supporting our big national fights. But no one else is writing for these local candidates—it’s up to us.
Pass Prop 50! 🔥
I’m worried about this ballot measure. Californians aren’t paying enough attention, and the spending from the Republican side is MASSIVE. Please help if you can.
Make Phone Calls to urge a Yes vote on Prop 50 and give voting information:
With the California Democratic PartyTwo shifts per day, six days a week, now through Election Day. Register here.
With Activate America. Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3-4:30 pm PDT, now through Election Day. Register here.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: ] [H/T] [Text SIGN PFPWUB 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.)
As you negotiate the federal budget, I urge you to make three non-negotiable demands. First, protect the health and financial stability of millions of Americans by extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. If these expire, families across the country will face devastating premium hikes, higher copays, and impossible deductibles. Healthcare should not be a political bargaining chip — it is a lifeline for hard-working Americans who play by the rules.
Second, Congress must insist on transparency and justice by releasing the full, unredacted Epstein files. For too long, powerful people have been shielded from scrutiny while ordinary citizens are held accountable. The American people — left, right, and center — are tired of double standards that protect elites. The victims of Epstein’s crimes deserve justice, and the nation deserves the truth.
[Read the rest of the letter here.]
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
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