Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Annette’s News Roundup.
Another top 10 list of what to do.
Don’t despair. Do something.
This, by Marc Elias of Democracy Docket, who will oversee many of the lawsuits against Trump now, as he has done for President Biden and Vice President Harris.
Ten things we can do to protect Democracy.
The most common question I receive is how everyday citizens can help in the fight for democracy. My advice, take the first step, start with something small and see what works for you. Here are ten things all of us can do.
Stay engaged
When all the news is about Trump and pardons and lies, it is easy to want to retreat and stop paying attention. Don’t. It is precisely when things are hard that we must all lean into remaining vigilant and informed.
Help Democrats
The success of any opposition movement rests on the opposing party taking power. This is not a minor detail; in our system of government, it is the essential goal. Next time you want to attack a Democrat for being too much of this or too little of that, realize that you are only helping the GOP. Instead, find a Democrat you support and volunteer or contribute to their campaign.
Don’t do Trump’s work
This is more than simply resisting Trump’s actions; it is refusing to accept his false assumptions. When he says he wants to abolish birthright citizenship, do not accept the premise that he has the power to do so. Stay grounded in the truth: The U.S. Constitution is clear, Trump is powerless and the courts will reject his efforts.
Don’t grade on a curve
This goes both ways. Do not hold Republicans to a lower standard and do not hold Democrats to a higher one. When a Republican does something normal, recognize it is normal not exceptional. When a Democrat does something normal, recognize it is normal and not terrible.
Believe in the courts
Republicans control all three elected branches of the federal government. They do not control the courts. Yes, the U.S. Supreme Court has a solidly conservative majority, but the high court only hears a few dozen cases a year. And in some of those, the Court has sided with democracy. Most importantly, remember that Joe Biden confirmed a record number of new federal judges. And, of course, there are state courts. For better or worse, we are dependent on the courts to help protect democracy. Rather than assume they will not, insist they do.
Beware of false attacks
Pam Bondi is an election denier. Kash Patel has an enemies list of political opponents. Donald Trump has promised retribution. When you hear that a Trump foe is under investigation, be skeptical. When you read about anonymous leaks against pro-democracy leaders, consider that it may be part of an effort to discredit their work.
Support independent media
The legacy media is failing our democracy. Every day brings more news of another billionaire owner or corporate overlord bowing down to Trump. The solution is found in independent news outlets that have no incentive to make nice with the Republican Party. Some of these are broad-based news operations, some are issue specific. Pick a few and subscribe for free. Find one or two that you pay to support. It will go a long way to ensure a vibrant media ecosystem willing to stand up for democracy.
Use your town square
Every one of us has a town square. It may include our social media accounts, our local book club or dinner table. Use your town square to speak out in favor of democracy and against what Republicans are doing. Do not shy away from difficult conversations; seek them out. Engage the curious. Educate those who seek information. We all have a role to play, so don’t assume your voice is too faint or your platform too small.
Prepare for a long fight
In 2017, we hoped that Trumpism was a fluke and would pass. We now know it will not. We are in for a long fight and must build and commit to an opposition movement that will stand the test of time. We will have victories and setbacks, good days and bad. We must understand that this will not be over in one election or with the defeat of any one candidate. This is the fight of our generation, and it will take time.
Don’t give up hope
Our best political movements were hopeful. John Kennedy insisted that “we should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes.” Bill Clinton was the man from Hope. Barack Obama ran a campaign based on hope and change. Donald Trump and the Republicans want you to give up hope. Despair and cynicism fuel their movement. We must always, in the words of Jesse Jackson, “keep hope alive.” (Democracy Docket).
Something to do.
Don’t despair. Do something.
Consider state elections.
State elections sometimes echo nationally. For example, Democratic victories in special state elections in 2024 helped boost Democratic voter confidence, built volunteer numbers and increased donations.
Right now, even with Trump in the White House, and the next Presidential election 4 long years away, state elections continue to provide us with opportunities to do something good - now, as well as to jump-start voter support to win back Congress in 2026.
One further cat consider about when to show your support - for State Elections and all elections - The earlier a candidate knows how much money they have to spend, the better they can plan and perform.
Let’s look the newly open judicial position on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
We took control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in April 2023. The election of Democratic-backed Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Janet Protasiewicz gave Wisconsin Democrats the first majority on the Court in 15 years.
One day after Protasiewicz joined the court, the Court overturned the Republican-drawn legislative maps by a 4-3 vote. Since then, the Court’s big win has been on abortion rights, stopping a 1894 abortion ban from remaining in effect.
This past April, liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, whose term ends in July 2025, said she will not seek re-election.
The Court’s liberal majority will then continue only if Susan Crawford, who faces Mega man, Brad Schimel, wins the Bradley seat. Schimel supports a national abortion ban. Crawford will protect reproductive freedom and uphold the pro-choice majority on Wisconsin’s Court.
The election takes place on Tuesday, April 1.
Elon Musk has already begun to indicate his support for Schimel.
Here is what Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party wrote:
Here is Less than a week into Trump 2.0, his top oligarch surrogate and cryptocoin grifter Elon Musk has weighed in on the Wisconsin Supreme Court election on April 1.
And it’s a doozy:
Elon Musk: Very important to vote Republican for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to prevent voting fraud!
With absolutely no proof, Musk told his 214M followers the dangerous lie that Wisconsin elections are fraudulent if progressives win. Never mind all the evidence that Wisconsin elections are safe and secure.
This is Trump’s bold strategy: deny the legitimacy of any election he loses. And since the MAGA extremists lost the Wisconsin Supreme Court election in 2023, they will do whatever it takes to sow seeds of doubt in Wisconsin voters for the crucial state Supreme Court race on April 1.
This is what we are up against—deep-pocketed billionaires with social media empires spreading misinformation. That’s why the Democratic Party of Wisconsin needs your help.
If you want to fight the lies spread by Trump, Musk, and MAGA extremists, you have the power to fuel our efforts by donating to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin now.
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Make a plan for your donations in 2025 for state elections.
What will you do to put Judge Susan Crawford on the Wisconsin Supreme Court? Chip in $5? $20? $100? $1000?
Will you share your support for Judge Crawford real and social media friends?
There are criminals on our streets.
Trump put them there.
J 6 Rioter
Jan. 6 rioter recently pardoned by Trump shot, killed by sheriff’s deputy
JASPER COUNTY, Ind. (WXIN) — An Indiana man recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is dead after being shot by a sheriff’s deputy while allegedly resisting arrest.
Matthew Huttle, 42, of Hobart, Indiana, was shot and killed during a traffic stop Sunday afternoon. A deputy with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department pulled Huttle’s vehicle over on State Road 14 at approximately 4:15 p.m.
Indiana State Police said the traffic stop led to the deputy attempting to arrest Huttle, but Huttle allegedly resisted and struggled with the officer. This “altercation” led to the deputy firing his gun and killing Huttle.
According to state police, Huttle was in possession of a firearm during the traffic stop. No additional details were provided about the altercation between Huttle and the deputy or what Huttle was being arrested for.
“I have no regrets. I will not say I’m sorry,” Dale Huttle said about him and his nephew, Matthew, taking part in the riot.
Both Huttles were sentenced for storming the Capitol.
Matthew Huttle was sentenced to six months in federal prison followed by 12 months on supervised release. His prison term ended on July 17, 2024, according to federal records.
Lindsey Graham, a key ally of the president and a Republican from South Carolina, spoke out against the pardons as did others on both sides of the aisle.
“I have always said that, I think, when you pardon people who attack police officers, you’re sending the wrong signal to the public at large,” said Graham. (WJTV News).
J. 6 rioter
Jan. 6 rioter whose case was tossed after Trump pardon arrested on pending weapons charges
A Florida man who prosecutors alleged attacked police with an explosive device during the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol — and whose case was dropped following President Donald Trump's sweeping pardons and commutations issued Monday, was arrested Wednesday on pending federal gun charges, according to court records.
Daniel Ball, 39, was taken into custody Wednesday morning, according to an arrest warrant, on a separate indictment returned by federal prosecutors in Florida last summer that charged him for unlawfully possessing a gun as a felon.
He had at least three previous felony convictions — one dating back to 2017 for domestic violence battery by strangulation and two in October of 2021 — nine months after the Jan. 6 riot, for resisting law enforcement and battery on a law enforcement officer. (ABC News)
There will be many more.
Who is Fighting Back?
We are, darlin’.
Alaska House members urge Trump to keep the name of North America's tallest peak as Denali - ABC News
The Alaska House has voted to urge President Donald Trump to reverse course and retain the name of North America’s tallest peak as Denali.
Denali.
JUNEAU, Alaska -- The Alaska House on Monday voted to urge President Donald Trump to reverse course and retain the name of North America's tallest peak as Denali.
The vote came a week after Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order calling for the name to revert to Mount McKinley. Through his action, the president revived an idea he had floated years earlier — one the state's Republican U.S. senators and many Alaskans have opposed.
Monday's vote was 28-10, though notice of reconsideration was given, meaning the resolution could be voted on again before being sent to the Senate.
The Alaska House is led by a majority coalition that is composed largely of Democrats but also includes independents and two Republicans. The resolution came from Rep. Maxine Dibert, a Democrat who is Koyukon Athabascan. She noted that Denali is a Koyukon Athabascan word meaning “the high one," but said Denali is not just a name.
“It's a symbol of history. It's a symbol of culture and a symbol of respect,” Dibert said.
Minority Republicans sought unsuccessfully to amend the resolution to add language expressing “gratitude” to Trump for a separate order aimed at boosting oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in the state. Some of them said that approach seemed appropriate, given this will likely be the first formal message the Legislature sends to the Trump administration.
Rep. Kevin McCabe, a Republican, said he thought adding supportive language around the executive order on resources would strengthen the overall aim. "Perhaps that’s the best way to unite us and unite this resolution, and say, ‘Hey, President Trump, thanks for doing all this. Could you possibly stop the renaming of Denali?’”
According to the National Park Service, a prospector in 1896 dubbed the peak Mount McKinley for William McKinley of Ohio, who was elected president that year. McKinley had never been to Alaska.
The name would go on to be formally recognized by the U.S. government until it was changed in 2015 by the Obama administration to Denali. The name change reflected the traditions of Alaska Natives and the preference of many Alaskans, underscored by a push by state leaders decades earlier. The 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain in Denali National Park and Preserve on clear days can be see from hundreds of miles away.
The Interior Department last week announced efforts were underway to implement Trump's renaming order, even though state leaders don't see the matter as settled yet.
Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan last week said his preference is for “the name the patriotic, strong Athabascan people gave that great mountain thousands of years ago: Denali. We’ll continue the discussions with the Trump administration on that." Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has said that he hopes to have a discussion with the president about the mountain next month in Washington. (ABC News)
Others have spoken out too.
Republican Senator Murkowski.
You can’t improve upon the name that Alaska’s Koyukon Athabascans bestowed on North America’s tallest peak, Denali – the Great One,” Senator Murkowski (Republican, Alaska) said. “For years, I advocated in Congress to restore the rightful name for this majestic mountain to respect Alaska’s first people who have lived on these lands for thousands of years. This is an issue that should not be relitigated.” (Murkowski website).
[Yesterday] Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)joined with a Danish lawmaker … to push back against President Trump’s continued insistence that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for American national security.
Murkowski, who has publicly disagreed with Trump in the past, and Aaja Chemnitz, who represents Greenland in Danish Parliament, said in the joint statement that Americans should work to view Greenland as a partner, not as a potential asset. (the Hill).
More will fight.
U.S. Air Force resumes teaching about Tuskegee Airmen and WASP following outcry over DEI review
SAN ANTONIO — The U.S. Air Force will resume teaching about the nation's first Black pilots, and the women pilots of World War II.
The Air Force paused that part of its basic training curriculum last week pending a review of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies.
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump issued executive orders prohibiting DEI in federal government agencies and the military. Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised to make that a top priority.
By the end of the week, The San Antonio Express News first reported that videos about the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots — or WASP — were not being taught in basic training at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland.
The news led to an uproar across the country — including from Republican Senator Katie Boyd Britt of Alabama, who called it "malicious compliance" within the DEI review.
After a weekend of protest on social media, the Air Force announced on Sunday that it's resuming that part of the curriculum.
For the record.
The letter the Chair of the Council of the Inspectors General sent when Trump fired 17 IGs.
Yes, they are all working.
And so it will be.
Don’t despair. Do more.
And rest when you feel like it.
