Let's give a shout out and thanks to defenders of Democracy

mickeyrat

Let’s begin with the most essential question, legal and political. Are we—less than a month into the Trump Administration—on the brink of a constitutional crisis?

I think we could very well be there. We’re at the Rubicon. Whether we’ve crossed it is yet to be determined.

Well, describe what the Rubicon is.

The Rubicon is the flagrant disabuse of judicial power. If the Trump Administration decides to run the gantlet and openly defy a judicial order, in a way that is not about an appeal, it’s not about clarifying, it’s not about getting a congressional fix, but open defiance to a judicial order, then I think we’re there.

What are the issues where that’s a possibility?

Well, there are forty cases, so many of the issues could be the one that precipitates the Rubicon moment. There have been a bunch of lawsuits around the Department of Government Efficiency, and whether or not the DOGE and Elon Musk have overextended their power. There are some who say that they’re violating the Privacy Act; that they’re accessing personal identifiable information on American citizens—their Social Security numbers, their tax returns, all sorts of information that are in the government data banks. Now, whether or not they’ve actually accessed that, whether there’s harm, whether or not the individuals who are bringing cases have standing, those things are all to be determined by the judges.

Then there’s all the questions around shutting down, or the closure of grants from the federal government, from U.S.A.I.D. and other agencies. And there’s the “fork in the road” litigation.

And just to be clear, this is considered illegal by legal experts because—

Because Congress appropriates the money. It’s not in the President’s power to rewrite the appropriations from Congress.

You have the Vice-President of the United States saying that judges are not allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power. What say you, as the head of the A.C.L.U.?

“Legitimate”—that’s the word that jumped out at me. And that’s what we’re arguing about, whether it’s a legitimate use of executive-branch power. It’s not a new controversy. We’ve had these debates before. The unitary executive—remember that back in the days of George [W.] Bush? Of course, most Presidents have tried to exert a much more muscular approach to executive power than I think the courts or Congress often give them the room for.

Where do you think the Rubicon will be—on what issue and in what court?

The one I’m most worried about is birthright citizenship. That was the first executive order. That was the first case we filed, two hours after he signed it.

What does the Trump Administration want and what does the A.C.L.U. want?

They want to eliminate the right to citizenship if you are born here, which was established in the Fourteenth Amendment. It’s also in the statute. It’s how we created American citizens out of the children of slaves.

For us in the civil-rights community, this is hallowed ground. This is how we fixed that problem that we had in terms of chattel slavery, and how we made all of us citizens and so that the citizens included the children of slaves. It’s also the way that we became a nation of immigrants and levelled the playing field. It’s the great equalizer, David.

And so to go at it and say, in an executive order, I’m going to repeal birthright citizenship is both trying to undo a core tenet of the Bill of Rights and also the statutory provisions, which are equally clear. So we have belt and suspenders on when it comes to birthright citizenship, and they’re trying to rip them both off.

If birthright citizenship goes the direction that the Trump Administration wants it to, what are the repercussions and what are the actions that could follow?

Well, the repercussions are enormous. If they were allowed to repeal birthright citizenship, that means that even people who are here lawfully, and whose kid is born here, would not be a U.S. citizen. So take, for instance, two graduate students at Princeton who are here lawfully, and are endeavoring to make a life here. If their kid is born here, it wouldn’t necessarily mean that that child is entitled to birthright citizenship. So the implications are enormous.

Do we have any sense of the number of people that would be in jeopardy?

There would be hundreds of thousands. We have clients already in our litigation who are pregnant women, whose children would be born after the date of the executive order, whose citizenship would be called into question.

So siblings would be potentially rent apart, and parents and children would be rent apart as well.

And you would create a legal vehicle for intergenerational stigma and discrimination. In places like Germany or Japan, these countries still struggle with what it means to be a German citizen or Japanese citizen. You see the discrimination against Koreans in Japan. That’s because they haven’t had a concept like birthright citizenship, the way we do.

continues....

mickeyrat

look for the podcast.

but he's referencing mass protest.like a general strike.  shut it all down. make business demand he change course.

fuck with money, it gets shit done.

brianlux

mickeyrat said:

look for the podcast.

but he's referencing mass protest.like a general strike.  shut it all down. make business demand he change course.

fuck with money, it gets shit done.

So in other words, things like the Feb. 28th economic blackout that is being planned, only maybe bigger?

https://thirdact.org/oregon/2025/02/15/u-s-economic-blackout-planned-for-feb-28/

U.S. economic blackout planned for Feb. 28

A U.S. Economic Blackout — a  nationwide economic protest — is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. On this day, participants are encouraged to refrain from making any purchases, both online and in-store, from large corporations.

A U.S. Economic Blackout — a  nationwide economic protest — is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. On this day, participants are encouraged to refrain from making any purchases, both online and in-store, from large corporations. The aim is to demonstrate the collective power of consumers and to advocate for economic change. Essential purchases, such as paying bills and buying necessities, are generally considered acceptable, but the emphasis will be on minimizing non-essential spending to make a significant economic impact.

This movement, organized by the nascent The People’s Union, has gained traction on various social media platforms, with individuals and groups sharing information and encouraging others to participate.  The economic blackout is intended to highlight the influence consumers have over the economy and to push for reforms that address economic disparities. By collectively pausing spending, participants aim to send a message to large corporations and policymakers about the need for more equitable economic practices.

During the  blackout, participants are asked to not make any purchases online or in-store, particularly at big retailers such as Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. In addition, you are urged to not spend money on fast food and gas. Organizers are asking the public to not use credit or debit cards for non-essential spending.

Organizers request participants only buy essentials, such as food, medicine, and emergency supplies. Participants are urged to only spend money at small, local businesses.

smile6680

G

DE4173

I hope every single participant voted for Vice President Harris. That was the protest against all of this that's happening now.

mickeyrat

CALIFORNIA — ex NFL punter Chris Kluwe arrested for civil disobedience protesting at the city council in Huntington Beach, where the council planned a “MAGA” display on a plaque at the library.

Context: https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/ex-nfl-punter-chris-kluwe-arrested-over-protest-at-huntington-beach-city-council-meeting

mickeyrat

https://www.threads.net/@propublica/post/DGRhyVuyaEN?xmt=AQGzXzgIonCC1TLvLkBaNccnuOmLjUATF3siSVbVT7z6aA

Entire government agencies are being reshaped, career experts are leaving and power is shifting — often behind closed doors.

ProPublica is investigating.

🧵⬇️ (1/6)

2. On Feb. 6, we reported that at the EPA, more than 300 career employees have left as environmental protections were reversed.

continues..

https://www.propublica.org/tips/

brianlux

mickeyrat said:

https://www.threads.net/@propublica/post/DGRhyVuyaEN?xmt=AQGzXzgIonCC1TLvLkBaNccnuOmLjUATF3siSVbVT7z6aA

Entire government agencies are being reshaped, career experts are leaving and power is shifting — often behind closed doors.

ProPublica is investigating.

🧵⬇️ (1/6)

2. On Feb. 6, we reported that at the EPA, more than 300 career employees have left as environmental protections were reversed.

continues..

https://www.propublica.org/tips/

More good reasons for resistance. 

So (and this is overdue)  here's a big shout out for everyone here who has called or written the congressman, or other person of influence to support Democracy in this country, and everyone who has stood up in any way for Democracy.

THANK YOU!

mickeyrat

brianlux said:

mickeyrat said:

https://www.threads.net/@propublica/post/DGRhyVuyaEN?xmt=AQGzXzgIonCC1TLvLkBaNccnuOmLjUATF3siSVbVT7z6aA

Entire government agencies are being reshaped, career experts are leaving and power is shifting — often behind closed doors.

ProPublica is investigating.

🧵⬇️ (1/6)

2. On Feb. 6, we reported that at the EPA, more than 300 career employees have left as environmental protections were reversed.

continues..

https://www.propublica.org/tips/

More good reasons for resistance. 

So (and this is overdue)  here's a big shout out for everyone here who has called or written the congressman, or other person of influence to support Democracy in this country, and everyone who has stood up in any way for Democracy.

THANK YOU!

havent received a call back or anything.

brianlux

mickeyrat said:

brianlux said:

mickeyrat said:

https://www.threads.net/@propublica/post/DGRhyVuyaEN?xmt=AQGzXzgIonCC1TLvLkBaNccnuOmLjUATF3siSVbVT7z6aA

Entire government agencies are being reshaped, career experts are leaving and power is shifting — often behind closed doors.

ProPublica is investigating.

🧵⬇️ (1/6)

2. On Feb. 6, we reported that at the EPA, more than 300 career employees have left as environmental protections were reversed.

continues..

https://www.propublica.org/tips/

More good reasons for resistance. 

So (and this is overdue)  here's a big shout out for everyone here who has called or written the congressman, or other person of influence to support Democracy in this country, and everyone who has stood up in any way for Democracy.

THANK YOU!

havent received a call back or anything.

Me neither, but the thought never crossed my mind.  If you don't get a live person, leave a your name, address and zip code at the beginning of your message.  Legislators, congresspeople, elected officials all are getting inundated with huge numbers of calls.  I don't expect them to call me back.

mickeyrat

video...

https://www.threads.net/@michelestillman/post/DGU3dEduKu2?xmt=AQGzxjDrY0qECgNoVlimWQ-vXqhsvCi-LxYk9onZ55Eqbw

shadowcast

brianlux said:

mickeyrat said:

https://www.threads.net/@griffinkyle/post/DFbFITKyulu?xmt=AQGzJ3akuj3uN0K_1eI5vdnHfC7_ShkbMQIwfAwgcusGtQ

I'm not sure what we can do to support this person, or the many other people being forced out of their jobs.  I'm open to suggestions!

I'm sure she will be just fine. Save your time creating a GoFund me page. 

shadowcast

brianlux said:

This thread is a place to share idea for supporting the hard working people who are in positions that enable them to make strides in supporting Democracy.  Many of them are heroes and we can do our small part by supporting their efforts.

I'll start with something my wife forwarded to me.  If you appreciate the earnest entreaty of Bishop Budde to Trump to show mercy on targeted groups, you can send her a postcard thanking her to this address:

What??? Episcopal Migration Ministry (EMM) which she is a part of received a whopping 53 million from various tax payer funded government projects. Of course she's BIG mad now. Jesus Christ people do your homework. There is this thing called the internet where you can look up multiple sources. I highly suggest using it.

 https://nypost.com/2025/01/31/opinion/episcopal-bishop-lectures-trump-while-earning-taxpayer-millions-to-bring-migrants-into-us/

brianlux

This morning, I would like to give a shout out to the British daily newspaper, The Guardian.

In an era of what many see as a weak and compromised-by-fear media, I am often encouraged by The Guardian and their ongoing support for preserving Democracy.  Here are two articles they published that point toward that goal.

This first one illustrates a point I think is well worth noting:  that not all conservative people, including many conservative Republicans, are not in favor of the MAGA, and are not at all in favor of having the United States be taken over by a few billionaires and one who would be "king".

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/21/principles-first-summit-republicans-anti-maga

Anti-Trump conservative summit charts alternative to CPAC Maga-fest

Principles First has become a venue for anti-Maga conservatives and hopes to be a rightwing ‘exit ramp’

The other, written by German historian Jan-Werner Müller, provides us with some ideas and motivation for resistance to Trumps existential threat to Democracy:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/21/lessons-for-the-resistance-20-on-how-to-fight-back-against-trump

Lessons for the resistance 2.0 on how to fight back against Trump

DE4173

brianlux

DE4173 said:

A good point here is that the resistance to tyranny is not a partisan issue.  Both sides need to step up and call bullshit on the clown dictator and his side kick.

Halifax2TheMax

45? 1945? Or POOTWH 45?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGMgZrmokzy/?igsh=bGl0ampwZG5lang5

DE4173

hunterh75

DE4173 said:

Yeah, we're all in the same boat, it's called the USA. We're coming out of a four year storm (fucking hurricane more like it) together. Getting rid of illegal criminal aliens, saving taxpayers money from wasteful and unnecessary funding ridiculous agendas, on the verge of ending a war Biden allowed due to his deep connections (Ukraine) and getting repaid for our tax dollars funding it through mineral resources. Putting lazy ass Fed employees back in the office and out of their cozy PJ's working on their couches. We're on the right track but a certain group will whine b/c their gravy train is coming to an end. 
I'm sure some of you are going to miss Joy Reid racist/false narratives as she got shit canned and Mr. Maddow isn't far behind on the chopping block on MSNBC and Trump suck ups Morning Joe as well. 
Times are a changing.......for the better. 

Gern Blansten

hunterh75 said:

DE4173 said:

Yeah, we're all in the same boat, it's called the USA. We're coming out of a four year storm (fucking hurricane more like it) together. Getting rid of illegal criminal aliens, saving taxpayers money from wasteful and unnecessary funding ridiculous agendas, on the verge of ending a war Biden allowed due to his deep connections (Ukraine) and getting repaid for our tax dollars funding it through mineral resources. Putting lazy ass Fed employees back in the office and out of their cozy PJ's working on their couches. We're on the right track but a certain group will whine b/c their gravy train is coming to an end. 
I'm sure some of you are going to miss Joy Reid racist/false narratives as she got shit canned and Mr. Maddow isn't far behind on the chopping block on MSNBC and Trump suck ups Morning Joe as well. 
Times are a changing.......for the better. 

Tell us you are in a news bubble without telling us you are in a news bubble. Damn dude...leave the cult.