Thanks Jay! It seems that every morning after I read the news, I am on the ledge. I find your daily posts to be written in a calming, informative style that helps calm my anxieties. Although the threats are real and unrelenting, I appreciate the time you take to explain the legal realities.
Blue states and their dedicated public servants will save our sacred democracy! These judges should put the orange menace and muskrat in prison, where they belong. Federal civil service employees will continue to do everything we can do gather evidence of their crimes, but we need your support: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/no-one-elected-elon
The issue is whether, or who, will enforce the law. One of the things I have been contemplating, and I hope this is something that Jay will address, is what seems to be a march towards a law enforcement showdown. I wonder if the systematic dismantling of agencies is the means to ultimately put the military, the National Guard, all enforcement agencies, directly under the control of one person… i.e FFOTUS
Project 2025 wants us to be sick and stupid. Its mission is to bring about the end times they fantasize about. Those who are "saved" won't have to worry about cancer research. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but that's what is behind it.
He is very like tRump in believing that he's genius, but Mars is not going to be enhabitable in his lifetime. Although, if he believes he can make it on one of his spaceships, I'll wish him Bon Voyage!
When the trump regime defies a court order, and they will, the country needs to go on a general strike. All the unions throughout the United States need to order it, and ensure compliance. Bring the economy to a screeching halt!
I saw that, and I'm actually already doing it. I'm not making any major purchases at all. But I'm talking about a coordinated general strike, not just refusing to buy things. We need people to walk out of the factories, hotels, universities, schools, everywhere; even if it's only for one day it will send a huge message. We are not Serfs!
I read in a comment on another Substack that an effort being made to organize a general strike on March 15. I have not yet followed up on that and have no other info.
Jay I am concerned about many of the polls showing Trump has a higher approval rating than in his first term or just that his approval ratings are “growing.” Which is indicating that “people like his policies.” Just saw a couple, mostly mainstream news but heck people see these and then they reinforce their beliefs that’s he’s doing a good job. What the heck??!
Polls are dynamic, and trailing indicators. Which means that it will take a little time for people to wake up and realize what’s happening. But they will.
We usually listen to or watch CBS Mornings, while we're eating breakfast. This morning, I heard a short report on the orange blight's tariffs on steel and aluminum. The person doing the report did say that the American people would be affected by the higher prices. But the explanation stopped there. I was unloading the dishwasher, so I wasn't paying close attention to the TV program in the next room. But it seemed to me that the next segment focused a lot more attention to detail and time on the suicide of a celebrity, who died two years ago. CBS used to higher standards for reporting the News. Now they are focused on gossip, infomercials and recipes.
Cannot rely any longer on substantial reporting from mainstream/legacy media. Too much sanewashing of Dumpster during the campaign for me to trust any of them.
"WASHINGTON, D.C. -- At 47%, President Donald Trump's initial job approval rating for his second term is similar to the inaugural 45% reading during his first term, again placing him below all other elected presidents dating back to 1953. Trump remains the only elected president with sub-50% initial approval ratings, and his latest disapproval rating (48%) is three percentage points higher than in 2017, marking a new high for inaugural ratings."
Thank you Jay for making this issue crystal clear. I’m a lone blue star in the ruby red state of Alabama! After the military, the Alabama University Medical system is THE largest employer in the state. If UAB(Birmingham) looses that much funding for its research it will bankrupt our state. The economic and personal damage will be catastrophic. Wake up, unwoke, this is what you voted for. Good luck Katie, you’re going to need it.
Why aren't Alabamans then shouting from the rooftops? Why is Britt using coded language that these moves are both needed and at the same time devastating?
They all seem to have fallen into a trance of lockstep project 2025
Even if all they watch (or hear from the other room while doing chores, as a member here posted) is their local network affiliate, not even Fox, they're not going to have much awareness of the details and consequences we're trying to follow by reading people like Jay (thank you, Jay! play with your daughter for me!). It may have to get personal in the daily demands on their time and attention--like a conversation with a friend or co-worker, hearing it from a celebrity they like, or (sadly) direct harm to them or someone they know--before they get engaged and try to find out more. They might shrug off news of rallies and demonstraions as something loud, scary, and not relevant to them; general strikes and boycott actions may be more meaningful for them.
NIH funding limits: reaction by a major university in a Red State. “’It just got real in Alabama…. The University of Alabama at Birmingham has received more than a billion dollars in NIH funding in recent years and relied heavily on those and other federal grants for its rise to prominence.’ When Trump policies hurt his own base, it merits attention. Given the power dynamics, these are opportunities. Effective pushback is more likely to be successful coming from leaders from Red States.”
I worry that Red states appealing directly to Trump will receive “exceptions” to these cuts. If the right wing controlled courts ultimately decide for Trump/Musk, then the Red states will continue to receive funds, and the Blue states will be purposely hurt.
With this lawsuit winning for blue states only, we are divided in our fight to stop Trump/Musk.
Trump didn’t win a mandate in AL.
According to the AL SOS website only 58% of registered voters in AL voted. (There is not early or mail in voting here, absent voting requires an excuse and is hard to get, polls have been closed. Voter suppression is real!)Of that Donald Trump received 38% and 62% of Alabamians voted for someone else on the ballot or didn’t vote at all. That’s not a mandate.
Our AL AG won’t fight for us, our senators, Britt, Tuberville and Governor Ivey support every trump action that hurts their own constituents. UAB is AL’s largest employer and one of the top medical/science research centers in the country but our AG didn’t join the fight. 1000’s of us are calling our US senators, US representatives, state legislators and the governor everyday.We are rallying in Birmingham so far it’s all falling on deaf ears. Republicans in blue states don’t realize they can be republicans and retain rights because they live in blue states. Don’t give up on us America. 🇺🇸 There’s a whole lot of courage here in AL, fighting back with no back up.
Exactly! I'm in Wyoming, the reddest state, but there are still a few liberals/science advocates/environmentalists. We write letters, make calls, and do what we can; we cringe at being assumed to be MAGA supporters.
Wow, Barbara, I am SO sorry; we are definitely not giving up on you!!! That is just awful as re: your Senators AND Governor; most definitely the pushback should help!!!!!!! Thinking of you all there; it is scary in it's own way for me personally; I do happen to be in Oregon so there is definitely the solace of being in a blue state. xo
The judges ruling applies to blue states because they applied for relief. The states like yours have not even though they might be hurt more by the order.
In other instances the injunctive relief ultimately applied to the whole country, but that was usually after a round or two of judicial review
I was implying that it could eventually apply to Alabama but not because ether Alabama ag asked for relief but because a judge found that the issue is nationwide, like other cases recently filed
So how far do Musk and Trump have to go before courts start issuing arrest warrants for contempt? And would anyone actually step forward and arrest them?
Also, this attack on scientific grants sounds like Big Pharma's dream come true so they can hike up their research costs and charge us all into the grave.
I heard Glenn Kirchner and Brian Tyler Cohen talking about this today. Look on YouTube. Link below. I am not going to say this as clearly as they do, but The judges have to give one warning and then on the next infringement they can issue a consequence. The consequence would be carried out by the US Marshalls whose job is not run by the DOJ so Trump wouldn’t be able to stop that, but apparently there’s a law that Says that the US marshals are required to carry out the judiciary orders.
Now I suppose there can be some MAGA US marshals, but they would be violating the law also. I know. I know. It does mean some people are gonna have to follow through and actually obey laws. I hope That the US marshals will come through for us.
Hope this is helpful. I know I get frustrated with how slowly the legal system works. I feel like our data and much of our country and good like USAID and the NIH funding is being siphoned off moment by moment, and we have to wait for all these judicial procedures to happen. I guess that’s the way it is in a place where the rule of law exists. So trying to hang in there. You hang in there too.
Current law enforcement members need to be reminded of the thugs Trump pardoned. They need to understand that they are only pawns for Trump and that he will turn on them when it suits him.
Please keep in mind that most of law enforcement are just work-a-day people like us, trying to shelter and feed their families. It's not that easy to say I'm quitting my job ...
Red state governors and decision makers in a major quandary - defy Trump or get clobbered at the voting booth while state universities lose hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. I'm here for it.
I was so upset when I read the headline because I thought “damn the blue states are gonna rescue the red states AGAIN!” so it was thrilling to see that the NIH situation is going to benefit blue states only. Absolutely the way to go! Good job everyone.
This Pennsylvanian is busy writing letters to Sunday and Shapiro. Sunday claims he has no authority Shapiro wants to work with the Trump admin as much as possible. Sickening.
I will not support you either financially or otherwise, if you are not vocal in resisting these anti democratic moves by Trump, and if you fail to speak up for ACA, Voting Rights and Women’s Reproductive Rights
Thank you. I wrote a searing letter back to Shapiro and am organizing more writers to pummel him now. He is so damned worried about getting elected again that he is not leading. I told him he does not have my vote for anything going forward. I didn’t say he should stop imitating Barack’s oratory. I will next time.
He channeled in such a ridiculous way. It was pathetic. And yeah. Reelection at all cost. But I'm going to have my PA friends make it clear to him that he's losing our votes by capitulating in Fetterman style.
FWIW: former congressional staffers say that phone calls are more effective than letters (even if only voice-mail; try calling state/local offices, if DC office lines are full), and in-person visits are the most effective. The same may be true for governors. Planning a trip with your friends to your senators' and representate's nearest local offices could be the highest-impact thing you could do. You don't need an appointment. And when you're there you can insist on an appointment or a community meeting the next time the senator or rep comes home.
So trump is taking the wrecking ball to ALL of our educational institutions. He wants citizens to be ignorant and compliant. Democracy depends on knowledge.
It's part of Project 2025. The authors see higher education at universities as places of liberal thought and antagonistic to Christian Nationalism, families, and moral living. Can't they just move to Hungary and be happy there?
Thanks Jay! It seems that every morning after I read the news, I am on the ledge. I find your daily posts to be written in a calming, informative style that helps calm my anxieties. Although the threats are real and unrelenting, I appreciate the time you take to explain the legal realities.
Blue states and their dedicated public servants will save our sacred democracy! These judges should put the orange menace and muskrat in prison, where they belong. Federal civil service employees will continue to do everything we can do gather evidence of their crimes, but we need your support: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/no-one-elected-elon
The issue is whether, or who, will enforce the law. One of the things I have been contemplating, and I hope this is something that Jay will address, is what seems to be a march towards a law enforcement showdown. I wonder if the systematic dismantling of agencies is the means to ultimately put the military, the National Guard, all enforcement agencies, directly under the control of one person… i.e FFOTUS
THAT is extremely scary
I very much agree. Thank you so much, Jay. For being you.
Project 2025 wants us to be sick and stupid. Its mission is to bring about the end times they fantasize about. Those who are "saved" won't have to worry about cancer research. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but that's what is behind it.
Your End Times theory may have sounded crazy in the not so distant past, but today it is credible and reasoned.
Thank you for saying that. You'd be surprised how many people don't want to believe it.
Which is why musk is in a hurry to get to Mars, they’ll wreck this planet and it’s people and move on to the next….
He is very like tRump in believing that he's genius, but Mars is not going to be enhabitable in his lifetime. Although, if he believes he can make it on one of his spaceships, I'll wish him Bon Voyage!
Proud to be a Blue State
When the trump regime defies a court order, and they will, the country needs to go on a general strike. All the unions throughout the United States need to order it, and ensure compliance. Bring the economy to a screeching halt!
There's this happening:
The 24 HOUR ECONOMIC BLACKOUT!
As our first initial act, we turn it off.
For just one day we show them who really holds the power.
WHEN:
Friday. February 28th from 12:00 AM to 11:59
PM, the last day of this month.
WHAT NOT TO DO:
Do not make any purchases unless urgent.
Do not shop online, or in-store, or via delivery.
No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy, Nowhere!
Do not spend money on:
Fast Food
Gas
Major Retailers
Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for nonessential spending.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Only buy essentials of absolutely necessary:
(Food, Medicine, Emergency Supplies)
ONLY support small, local businesses
I saw that, and I'm actually already doing it. I'm not making any major purchases at all. But I'm talking about a coordinated general strike, not just refusing to buy things. We need people to walk out of the factories, hotels, universities, schools, everywhere; even if it's only for one day it will send a huge message. We are not Serfs!
I think this is a jumping off point
Don't forget to spread the word! I've been posting it everywhere I can
I read in a comment on another Substack that an effort being made to organize a general strike on March 15. I have not yet followed up on that and have no other info.
I put this on my FB Feed
I am only doing my volunteer work for the poor that morning, then home with ZERO spending
I imagine Trump and Musk are already working diligently toward bringing the economy to a screeching halt and I don't think they really care.
I think you're right, but they want to do it their way so as not prevent money from going to musk and the other billionaires.
Jay I am concerned about many of the polls showing Trump has a higher approval rating than in his first term or just that his approval ratings are “growing.” Which is indicating that “people like his policies.” Just saw a couple, mostly mainstream news but heck people see these and then they reinforce their beliefs that’s he’s doing a good job. What the heck??!
Polls are dynamic, and trailing indicators. Which means that it will take a little time for people to wake up and realize what’s happening. But they will.
Jon Margolis, 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻. etc.
Unfortunately, what we call mainstream news, has been taken over by the unelected billionaires who want to control our government.
Yes MUSKRAT, I am looking at you.
You seem bent on making yourself the most hated man in America.
I know, but the left has to figure out how to address this.
According to Simon Rosenberg’s column today, Trump’s approval rating and consumer confidence are both sliding downwards.
We usually listen to or watch CBS Mornings, while we're eating breakfast. This morning, I heard a short report on the orange blight's tariffs on steel and aluminum. The person doing the report did say that the American people would be affected by the higher prices. But the explanation stopped there. I was unloading the dishwasher, so I wasn't paying close attention to the TV program in the next room. But it seemed to me that the next segment focused a lot more attention to detail and time on the suicide of a celebrity, who died two years ago. CBS used to higher standards for reporting the News. Now they are focused on gossip, infomercials and recipes.
Cannot rely any longer on substantial reporting from mainstream/legacy media. Too much sanewashing of Dumpster during the campaign for me to trust any of them.
Here's what Gallup News has posted:
"WASHINGTON, D.C. -- At 47%, President Donald Trump's initial job approval rating for his second term is similar to the inaugural 45% reading during his first term, again placing him below all other elected presidents dating back to 1953. Trump remains the only elected president with sub-50% initial approval ratings, and his latest disapproval rating (48%) is three percentage points higher than in 2017, marking a new high for inaugural ratings."
I heard that the poll was only of Republicans, not the general populace.
That’s interesting I’ve seen the opposite.
Thank you Jay for making this issue crystal clear. I’m a lone blue star in the ruby red state of Alabama! After the military, the Alabama University Medical system is THE largest employer in the state. If UAB(Birmingham) looses that much funding for its research it will bankrupt our state. The economic and personal damage will be catastrophic. Wake up, unwoke, this is what you voted for. Good luck Katie, you’re going to need it.
Why aren't Alabamans then shouting from the rooftops? Why is Britt using coded language that these moves are both needed and at the same time devastating?
They all seem to have fallen into a trance of lockstep project 2025
Probably most of them are watchers of Fox and the other Lamestream media.
Even if all they watch (or hear from the other room while doing chores, as a member here posted) is their local network affiliate, not even Fox, they're not going to have much awareness of the details and consequences we're trying to follow by reading people like Jay (thank you, Jay! play with your daughter for me!). It may have to get personal in the daily demands on their time and attention--like a conversation with a friend or co-worker, hearing it from a celebrity they like, or (sadly) direct harm to them or someone they know--before they get engaged and try to find out more. They might shrug off news of rallies and demonstraions as something loud, scary, and not relevant to them; general strikes and boycott actions may be more meaningful for them.
💙💙💙!
The ripple effect as Trump breaks things hurts everyone eventually, blue or red. Note last sentences below.
Yesterday’s “Inside Medicine” / Jeremy Faust, MD. https://insidemedicine.substack.com/p/censorship-at-the-cdc-continues-but
NIH funding limits: reaction by a major university in a Red State. “’It just got real in Alabama…. The University of Alabama at Birmingham has received more than a billion dollars in NIH funding in recent years and relied heavily on those and other federal grants for its rise to prominence.’ When Trump policies hurt his own base, it merits attention. Given the power dynamics, these are opportunities. Effective pushback is more likely to be successful coming from leaders from Red States.”
I worry that Red states appealing directly to Trump will receive “exceptions” to these cuts. If the right wing controlled courts ultimately decide for Trump/Musk, then the Red states will continue to receive funds, and the Blue states will be purposely hurt.
With this lawsuit winning for blue states only, we are divided in our fight to stop Trump/Musk.
Trump didn’t win a mandate in AL.
According to the AL SOS website only 58% of registered voters in AL voted. (There is not early or mail in voting here, absent voting requires an excuse and is hard to get, polls have been closed. Voter suppression is real!)Of that Donald Trump received 38% and 62% of Alabamians voted for someone else on the ballot or didn’t vote at all. That’s not a mandate.
Our AL AG won’t fight for us, our senators, Britt, Tuberville and Governor Ivey support every trump action that hurts their own constituents. UAB is AL’s largest employer and one of the top medical/science research centers in the country but our AG didn’t join the fight. 1000’s of us are calling our US senators, US representatives, state legislators and the governor everyday.We are rallying in Birmingham so far it’s all falling on deaf ears. Republicans in blue states don’t realize they can be republicans and retain rights because they live in blue states. Don’t give up on us America. 🇺🇸 There’s a whole lot of courage here in AL, fighting back with no back up.
Exactly! I'm in Wyoming, the reddest state, but there are still a few liberals/science advocates/environmentalists. We write letters, make calls, and do what we can; we cringe at being assumed to be MAGA supporters.
I love Wyoming!! I don't assume anything about you :-). We are all in this fight together.
💜💜💜
Same. Here in Utah! Blue dot writing and calling and etc my senators and house members and state government with you! 😁
Wow, Barbara, I am SO sorry; we are definitely not giving up on you!!! That is just awful as re: your Senators AND Governor; most definitely the pushback should help!!!!!!! Thinking of you all there; it is scary in it's own way for me personally; I do happen to be in Oregon so there is definitely the solace of being in a blue state. xo
The judges ruling applies to blue states because they applied for relief. The states like yours have not even though they might be hurt more by the order.
In other instances the injunctive relief ultimately applied to the whole country, but that was usually after a round or two of judicial review
Yes I’m aware why this ruling doesn’t apply to AL. That’s why my comment, we don’t have back up.
I was implying that it could eventually apply to Alabama but not because ether Alabama ag asked for relief but because a judge found that the issue is nationwide, like other cases recently filed
Look what I just found! Good news💕Looks like you put out some good vibes George!
https://www.aamc.org/news/press-releases/aamc-lawsuit-results-nationwide-temporary-restraining-order-proposed-drastic-cuts-nih-funding?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0LgKuO5JusZT6qNvP8dnxJhT_GjBHhp5z7ycmme633MjQpWR2WoOWIVmc_aem_e_EKRwYSgVJzfoVInCBTcA
They are so unutterably stupid, even as they are hellbent on destroying the United States.
As someone said on another social media platform: I am SO tired of being the one who has to FO, even though I wasn't among those who FA-ed.
So how far do Musk and Trump have to go before courts start issuing arrest warrants for contempt? And would anyone actually step forward and arrest them?
Also, this attack on scientific grants sounds like Big Pharma's dream come true so they can hike up their research costs and charge us all into the grave.
Who will do the arresting? That's what I would like to know. And the longer it goes on, the harder it will be to achieve
I heard Glenn Kirchner and Brian Tyler Cohen talking about this today. Look on YouTube. Link below. I am not going to say this as clearly as they do, but The judges have to give one warning and then on the next infringement they can issue a consequence. The consequence would be carried out by the US Marshalls whose job is not run by the DOJ so Trump wouldn’t be able to stop that, but apparently there’s a law that Says that the US marshals are required to carry out the judiciary orders.
Now I suppose there can be some MAGA US marshals, but they would be violating the law also. I know. I know. It does mean some people are gonna have to follow through and actually obey laws. I hope That the US marshals will come through for us.
Hope this is helpful. I know I get frustrated with how slowly the legal system works. I feel like our data and much of our country and good like USAID and the NIH funding is being siphoned off moment by moment, and we have to wait for all these judicial procedures to happen. I guess that’s the way it is in a place where the rule of law exists. So trying to hang in there. You hang in there too.
https://youtu.be/4L3UPAQ3c-8?si=0DdXa8OUR8HeZw-k
Federal Marshals would likely be the ones to carry out contempt warrants.
Yes, but would they? Trump has an awful lot of support among law enforcement.
Current law enforcement members need to be reminded of the thugs Trump pardoned. They need to understand that they are only pawns for Trump and that he will turn on them when it suits him.
Please keep in mind that most of law enforcement are just work-a-day people like us, trying to shelter and feed their families. It's not that easy to say I'm quitting my job ...
Not sure who this is in response to, Anna; I don't see anyone in this thread suggesting law enforcement workers quit.
It's not about quitting, it's about getting fired for not supporting Trump's agenda.
Federal marshals fall under the DOJ and I don't see Pam Bondi allowing that.
You're right...well, that sucks.
I just left another comment that I heard Glenn Kirchner talking to Brian Tyler Cohen about this today on YouTube. It would be the Marshalls.
Yup!
Red state governors and decision makers in a major quandary - defy Trump or get clobbered at the voting booth while state universities lose hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. I'm here for it.
I was so upset when I read the headline because I thought “damn the blue states are gonna rescue the red states AGAIN!” so it was thrilling to see that the NIH situation is going to benefit blue states only. Absolutely the way to go! Good job everyone.
This Pennsylvanian is busy writing letters to Sunday and Shapiro. Sunday claims he has no authority Shapiro wants to work with the Trump admin as much as possible. Sickening.
I will not support you either financially or otherwise, if you are not vocal in resisting these anti democratic moves by Trump, and if you fail to speak up for ACA, Voting Rights and Women’s Reproductive Rights
Thank you. I wrote a searing letter back to Shapiro and am organizing more writers to pummel him now. He is so damned worried about getting elected again that he is not leading. I told him he does not have my vote for anything going forward. I didn’t say he should stop imitating Barack’s oratory. I will next time.
They all seem to care nothing about anything except getting reelected
I'm not a Pennsylvanian and don't know Shapiro, but I noticed there are a lot of people who channel Obama
He channeled in such a ridiculous way. It was pathetic. And yeah. Reelection at all cost. But I'm going to have my PA friends make it clear to him that he's losing our votes by capitulating in Fetterman style.
FWIW: former congressional staffers say that phone calls are more effective than letters (even if only voice-mail; try calling state/local offices, if DC office lines are full), and in-person visits are the most effective. The same may be true for governors. Planning a trip with your friends to your senators' and representate's nearest local offices could be the highest-impact thing you could do. You don't need an appointment. And when you're there you can insist on an appointment or a community meeting the next time the senator or rep comes home.
😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡
Nice moves, Blue Avengers!
So trump is taking the wrecking ball to ALL of our educational institutions. He wants citizens to be ignorant and compliant. Democracy depends on knowledge.
They detest intellectuals. As Adolf Hitler said, "What good fortunes for governments hat the people do not think."
It's part of Project 2025. The authors see higher education at universities as places of liberal thought and antagonistic to Christian Nationalism, families, and moral living. Can't they just move to Hungary and be happy there?
This DemLabs infographic shows how much each state gets from NIH, the jobs that would be lost and the patients who would suffer.
Cancer patients sacrificed to give billionaires more tax cuts: National Institute of Health defunded
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/02/10/cancer-patients-sacrificed-to-give-billionaires-more-tax-cuts-national-institute-of-health-defunded/