How can individual citizens post NO KINGS take part civil resistance of the Trump administration

 This post quotes Susanne Jalbert, who has spent most of her adult life promoting goodwill and democracy on behalf of the US government, from Russia to Iraq and Afghanistan.  

She now is bringing her passion home to the USA...who, too, needs help in sustaining its democracy. I turn the blog over to her post as how as Americans we can support democracy through civil action as individuals.   The core of what she wrote:

"What More Can We Do? 

In March 2025, through a LinkedIn post, Hussein Hallak admonished, “Stop waiting for politicians to save you.”  He offered these immediate actions, which I’ve tweaked a bit.

-Vote with your wallet.

-Tell 5 people and have them tell 5 people

·Stop pretending someone else is going to figure it out.

·Join new social media platforms.

·Support independent media. Back those who tell the truth.

·Defend key institutions. The courts, the agencies, and the regulators.

·Flood the system with truth. 

·Expose the manipulation with facts, break down false claims, and arm people with facts they can’t ignore."

  This is the link to her post.

https://mobidrive.com/sharelink/p/2r4TzUWjywBG6EAGnGoTjf4Ee3JY4hu3hbi8pOHbzneG

This is an attempt to copy a download from her link to pdf file, which ignores the format, but I will try to get it in a better format.  Until then, you do get the essence of what she wrote...

A Call to Ac on with Deeds and Civil Resistance 2.0 It may only take 3.5% of the popula on to topple a dictator – with civil resistance ~ Erica Chenoweth[1][2] In Chenoweth’s syllabus for Civil Resistance: How It Works, she explains that “civil resistance is the applica on of unarmed civilian power using nonviolent methods such as protests, strikes, boyco s, demonstra ons, without using or threatening physical harm against the opponent. Because civil resistance can have profound social, poli cal, economic, and cultural impacts, it is essen al to understand the causes, dynamics, outcomes, and consequences of civil resistance campaigns. Such ques ons have clear prac cal implica ons for those seeking to wage nonviolent struggle, those hoping to be er understand global change, those seeking to assist such movements—and those who would seek to undermine them.” There are many ways to resist. DO NOT post his face, share his photos, or pass on his videos. For instance, Bernice King suggests that "when you post or talk about him, don’t assign his ac ons to him, assign them to “The Republican Administra on,” or “The Republicans.” This will have several effects: the Republican legislators will either have to take responsibility for their associa on with him or stand up for what some of them don’t like; he will not get the focus of a en on he craves; Republican representa ves will become very concerned about their re-elec ons." Ac ons: · Call out the Republicans in conversa on and in social media posts · Say “The Republican Administra on” · Say “The Republicans” U.S. Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, 70, brought her grounded perspec ves on her life and the law to the Miami Dade College audience on February 12, 2025. She wisely focused on the goal of her speech to upli young students who will shape the course of society.[2] It was her call to ac on for young people, but as I read her words, I realized that it is a call to ac on intergenera onally. “Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a poten al ac vist, every minute a chance to change the world.” ~ Delores Huerta, American Civil Rights Ac vist, Defender of Farmworkers’ Rights TURN YOUR OUTRAGE AND FEAR INTO ACTION AND LEARNING from Tu Sco ’s newsle er 06/17/2025 With everything happening around the country, you can use 5calls.org to reach out to elected officials — it is an easy app with scripts and numbers linked up. Standing up for No Kings on June 14 was a massive inspira on and con nuing to join other meaningful protests is also important. The podcast We Can Do Hard Things has great episodes with Jessica Yellin and Amanda Doyle on current poli cal power moves. What you can do today: · > Make one call/week through 5calls.org or any advocacy tool you trust. · > Use your voice on digital pla orms or in-person to speak out against injus ce and misuse of power > Shop women-owned brands at The Women Owned Directory, We Are Women Owned, and Women-Led Wednesday. What More Can We Do? In March 2025 through a LinkedIn post, Hussein Hallak admonished, “Stop wai ng for poli cians to save you.” He offered these immediate ac ons, which I’ve tweaked a bit. · Vote with your wallet. o See: h ps://spendingspotlight.org/#choose-issue o Tell 5 people and have them tell 5 people · Stop pretending someone else is going to figure it out. · Join new social media pla orms. · Support independent media. Back those who tell the truth. · Defend key ins tu ons. The courts, the agencies, and the regulators. · Flood the system with truth. · Expose the manipula on with facts, break down false claims, and arm people with facts they can’t ignore. Ac on imbues hope. Desmond Tutu said, "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." With pressure and oversight from Congress, the administra on must recommit to the independence of USAID, reopen its headquarters and reinstate funding for all employees and assistance ac vi es while simultaneously undertaking efficiency reviews. “When aid stops, America doesn’t just lose influence; it costs lives, forfeits credibility, and jeopardizes na onal security. And that’s a cost Americans cannot afford.”[3] “We should support reform – not retreat.”[4] As a concerned ci zen, speak up, speak out, and act! Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Silence in the face of evil is evil. Ac ons: · Boyco the disruptors. Buy nothing from them. · Change the narra ve on social media. · Support USAID with ar cles that explain its humanitarian purpose. · Call or write your representa ve – NOW! The situa on is evolving in real me. Stay informed. Stay in touch with your representa ves. While addressing the NAACCP, Former vice President Kamala Harris remarked, “While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter of our American story, this chapter will be wri en not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office — nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be wri en by you, wri en by us — by we the people.” These are figh ng words – resistance words – for advocates. I’ll close with a bit of prac cal advice from author Imani Perry that “we cannot be moved by the hysteria of the moment.”[5] “The very act of trying to look ahead to discern possibili es and offer warnings is itself an act of hope.” ~ Octavia Butler Life in these UN-united states is puzzling at best and frightening at worst. Let’s make life in these United States be er for everyone. Stay calm, remember and live our values. Rise to the call for ac on. As ac vist Jane Fonda said in closing her poignant speech while receiving the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for her remarkable life’s work and contribu ons to society, “Let’s make it so!”[6] Respec ully, Susanne E. Jalbert, Ph.D. Home: P.O. Box 112, Winter Park, CO 80482 E: sejalbert@aol.com. T: 970 726 9440 LinkedIn (not currently active on social media) "Corruption in high places is only a boil on the body politic; it will recover. Women always are the wielders of the soap." ~ Mable Walker Willebrandt, known as the First Lady of Law, a prominent Los Angeles, CA lawyer who served as the United States Assistant Attorney General from 1921 to 1929 [1] Erica Chenoweth, formerly at DU now at Harvard, and others join together to discuss historical and contemporary strategies for protes ng, democra c backsliding, global comparisons and more. 'We have everything we need': Harvard poli cal scien st on resis ng Trump 2.0 [2] h ps://www.theguardian.com/commen sfree/2017/feb/01/worried-american-democracy-study-ac vist-techniques. Erica Cenoweth is the Frank Stanton Professor of the First Amendment & Academic Dean for Faculty Development at Harvard Kennedy School & Faculty Dean of Pforzheimer House at Harvard College. She is the co-author of Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. [3] h ps://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/educa on/ar cle299935679.html#storylink=cpy [4] h ps://www.americanprogress.org/ar cle/how-trumps-a ack-on-usaid-undermines-american-leadership-and-security/ [5] h ps://www.usglc.org/newsroom/usglc-statement-on-the-further-dismantling-of-usaid/. The U.S. Global Leadership Coali on (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influen al network of 500 businesses and NGOs; na onal security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments to elevate development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a be er, safer world. [6] h ps://www.nymes.com/2025/01/30/books/booksupdate/imani-perry-black-in-blues.html?utm_source=substack&u

A Call to Ac on with Deeds and Civil Resistance 2.0 It may only take 3.5% of the popula on to topple a dictator – with civil resistance ~ Erica Chenoweth[1][2] In Chenoweth’s syllabus for Civil Resistance: How It Works, she explains that “civil resistance is the applica on of unarmed civilian power using nonviolent methods such as protests, strikes, boyco s, demonstra ons, without using or threatening physical harm against the opponent. Because civil resistance can have profound social, poli cal, economic, and cultural impacts, it is essen al to understand the causes, dynamics, outcomes, and consequences of civil resistance campaigns. Such ques ons have clear prac cal implica ons for those seeking to wage nonviolent struggle, those hoping to be er understand global change, those seeking to assist such movements—and those who would seek to undermine them.” There are many ways to resist. DO NOT post his face, share his photos, or pass on his videos. For instance, Bernice King suggests that "when you post or talk about him, don’t assign his ac ons to him, assign them to “The Republican Administra on,” or “The Republicans.” This will have several effects: the Republican legislators will either have to take responsibility for their associa on with him or stand up for what some of them don’t like; he will not get the focus of a en on he craves; Republican representa ves will become very concerned about their re-elec ons." Ac ons: · Call out the Republicans in conversa on and in social media posts · Say “The Republican Administra on” · Say “The Republicans” U.S. Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, 70, brought her grounded perspec ves on her life and the law to the Miami Dade College audience on February 12, 2025. She wisely focused on the goal of her speech to upli young students who will shape the course of society.[2] It was her call to ac on for young people, but as I read her words, I realized that it is a call to ac on intergenera onally. “Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a poten al ac vist, every minute a chance to change the world.” ~ Delores Huerta, American Civil Rights Ac vist, Defender of Farmworkers’ Rights TURN YOUR OUTRAGE AND FEAR INTO ACTION AND LEARNING from Tu Sco ’s newsle er 06/17/2025 With everything happening around the country, you can use 5calls.org to reach out to elected officials — it is an easy app with scripts and numbers linked up. Standing up for No Kings on June 14 was a massive inspira on and con nuing to join other meaningful protests is also important. The podcast We Can Do Hard Things has great episodes with Jessica Yellin and Amanda Doyle on current poli cal power moves. What you can do today: · > Make one call/week through 5calls.org or any advocacy tool you trust. · > Use your voice on digital pla orms or in-person to speak out against injus ce and misuse of power > Shop women-owned brands at The Women Owned Directory, We Are Women Owned, and Women-Led Wednesday. What More Can We Do? In March 2025 through a LinkedIn post, Hussein Hallak admonished, “Stop wai ng for poli cians to save you.” He offered these immediate ac ons, which I’ve tweaked a bit. · Vote with your wallet. o See: h ps://spendingspotlight.org/#choose-issue o Tell 5 people and have them tell 5 people · Stop pretending someone else is going to figure it out. · Join new social media pla orms. · Support independent media. Back those who tell the truth. · Defend key ins tu ons. The courts, the agencies, and the regulators. · Flood the system with truth. · Expose the manipula on with facts, break down false claims, and arm people with facts they can’t ignore. Ac on imbues hope. Desmond Tutu said, "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." With pressure and oversight from Congress, the administra on must recommit to the independence of USAID, reopen its headquarters and reinstate funding for all employees and assistance ac vi es while simultaneously undertaking efficiency reviews. “When aid stops, America doesn’t just lose influence; it costs lives, forfeits credibility, and jeopardizes na onal security. And that’s a cost Americans cannot afford.”[3] “We should support reform – not retreat.”[4] As a concerned ci zen, speak up, speak out, and act! Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Silence in the face of evil is evil. Ac ons: · Boyco the disruptors. Buy nothing from them. · Change the narra ve on social media. · Support USAID with ar cles that explain its humanitarian purpose. · Call or write your representa ve – NOW! The situa on is evolving in real me. Stay informed. Stay in touch with your representa ves. While addressing the NAACCP, Former vice President Kamala Harris remarked, “While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter of our American story, this chapter will be wri en not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office — nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be wri en by you, wri en by us — by we the people.” These are figh ng words – resistance words – for advocates. I’ll close with a bit of prac cal advice from author Imani Perry that “we cannot be moved by the hysteria of the moment.”[5] “The very act of trying to look ahead to discern possibili es and offer warnings is itself an act of hope.” ~ Octavia Butler Life in these UN-united states is puzzling at best and frightening at worst. Let’s make life in these United States be er for everyone. Stay calm, remember and live our values. Rise to the call for ac on. As ac vist Jane Fonda said in closing her poignant speech while receiving the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for her remarkable life’s work and contribu ons to society, “Let’s make it so!”[6] Respec ully, Susanne E. Jalbert, Ph.D. Home: P.O. Box 112, Winter Park, CO 80482 E: sejalbert@aol.com. T: 970 726 9440 LinkedIn (not currently active on social media) "Corruption in high places is only a boil on the body politic; it will recover. Women always are the wielders of the soap." ~ Mable Walker Willebrandt, known as the First Lady of Law, a prominent Los Angeles, CA lawyer who served as the United States Assistant Attorney General from 1921 to 1929 [1] Erica Chenoweth, formerly at DU now at Harvard, and others join together to discuss historical and contemporary strategies for protes ng, democra c backsliding, global comparisons and more. 'We have everything we need': Harvard poli cal scien st on resis ng Trump 2.0 [2] h ps://www.theguardian.com/commen sfree/2017/feb/01/worried-american-democracy-study-ac vist-techniques. Erica Cenoweth is the Frank Stanton Professor of the First Amendment & Academic Dean for Faculty Development at Harvard Kennedy School & Faculty Dean of Pforzheimer House at Harvard College. She is the co-author of Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. [3] h ps://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/educa on/ar cle299935679.html#storylink=cpy [4] h ps://www.americanprogress.org/ar cle/how-trumps-a ack-on-usaid-undermines-american-leadership-and-security/ [5] h ps://www.usglc.org/newsroom/usglc-statement-on-the-further-dismantling-of-usaid/. The U.S. Global Leadership Coali on (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influen al network of 500 businesses and NGOs; na onal security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments to elevate development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a be er, safer world. [6] h ps://www.nymes.com/2025/01/30/books/booksupdate/imani-perry-black-in-blues.html?utm_source=substack&u

Civil action: how NO KINGS empowered people to resist

 NO KINGS was a lesson to all of us that peaceful demonstrations could be organized and controlled if the preparation and training were successful, as the coalition of so many diverse groups joining together did to pull this off.. The positive press of the peaceful turnout overshadowed the negatives of the troublemakers, who were a minority. That may give fence-sitters and couch loungers a feeling of comfort in supporting the movement's aims of supporting democracy and opposing dictatorship/strong man lovers in the MAGA base.

The movement of a peaceful resistance in 2025 owes much to Gandhi in India, but civil disobedience was a feature of his methods. Martin Luther King adapted Gandhi's technique. Indivisible and 50501 honed it and appealed to mostly white crowds, but civil disobedience was replaced with obedience of local laws...staying on sidewalks, not blocking traffic, coordinating with local police for permits. Using social media and modern communications, accumulated lists of participants (I had registered with the local sponsoring group in advance for the Granby event, but switched to the Fraser small band of poster holders, one that was easier for me to handle) were a key to NO KING's success. The modern twists employed by these new political movement organizers, who tapped into a wide variety of existing organizations in a coalition, as well as an online system for individual participation and message notification, were impressive. The success depended on the masses of participants waving homemade signs. It succeeded.

The removal of the civil disobedience element as a technique used by MLK and Gandhi made it possible and safer for those less brave, including children, the elderly, mothers, fathers, and grandparents, to participate. It was multi-generational and at times, joyful. It gave an outlet for many who wanted to express their resistance to Trump but were not violent or confrontational. The use of NO KINGS was the least partisan and anger-rousing substitute name for Trump possible. It was a group civics lesson as it inspired a deeper appreciation of the benefits of democracy. It was a history lesson, too, that highlighted the reason our form of democracy came about in the first place 250 years ago. It was the spirit of 1776 and the beginning of resistance against a tyrant, too. The children and young people who participated will probably never forget June 14.

June 14 NO KINGS and the numbers and kind who participated put a lie to Trump and his minions, who in advance tried to paint it as a bunch of paid professional demonstrators.

-What was not reflected in the marches were minorities ...especially Hispanics, who were likely in hiding (exception LA first generation). That may help inspire more support from the Hispanic community. That this was mostly white does not reflect the strength of the Hispanc vote. The anti-DEI racist agenda of MAGA is an accelerant. We cannot take this for granted..and make sure that NO Kings also implies support of minority and civil rights, too. I am closely monitoring the polling of Hispanics to see if the losses Democrats have experienced in recent years have been reversed, and it would be a significant advantage in 2026. The assumption that Hispanics would be for Democrats because of Trump's anti immigration stance was wrong. Many Hispanics also feared or looked down on the recent immigrants, and they too saw the economy as a problem that Trump promised to fix.. However, Trump's cruelty may change some minds there.

What impact will NO KINGS have on Democrat's prospects in the future?

 An interesting discussion on MSNBC last night in the glow of 5 million turnout at No King's events nationwide. What now, and what good will it do from now on? My phrase: Was this preaching to the choir, and was it just the choir who turned out? Those who thought it would be helpful in 2026 believed it would encourage Democrats who did not vote for Harris to get off the couch. There is evidence of a drop-off in Democratic turnout from 2020.

My own thoughts: It was more than just getting more off the couch to actively support Democrats. It raised awareness of the democracy/autocracy issue; provided a training ground for new leaders, reached a needed demographic group, illustrated the advantage of peaceful resistance over violent political action, and may help inspire greater Hispanic support.

Details:

What No Kings did do is raise the fear of the loss of democracy as a critical issue, and it has been a teaching, learning, and inspirational moment, which is of great value.

-Training and inspiring a cadre of new young activist leadership for the future may be the greatest legacy of that day. The organization and techniques were top drawer

.

-The other, the demographics were overwhelmingly white and young enough to march for blocks...the demographic that is the weakest for Democrats. That is good.

we

-NO KINGS was a lesson to all of us that peaceful demonstrations could be organized and controlled if the preparation and training were successful, as the coalition of so many diverse groups joining together did to pull this off.. The positive press of the peaceful turnout overshadowed the negatives of the troublemakers, who were a minority. That may give fence-sitters and couch loungers a feeling of comfort in supporting the movement's aims of supporting democracy and opposing dictatorship/strong man lovers in the MAGA base.

The movement of a peaceful resistance in 2025 owes much to Gandhi in India, but civil disobedience was a feature of his methods. Martin Luther King adapted Gandhi's technique. Indivisible and 50501 honed it and appealed to mostly white crowds, but civil disobedience was replaced with obedience of local laws...staying on sidewalks, not blocking traffic, coordinating with local police for permits. Using social media and modern communications, accumulated lists of participants (I had registered with the local sponsoring group in advance) were a key to NO KING's success. The modern twists employed by these new political movement organizers, who tapped into a wide variety of existing organizations in a coalition, as well as an online system for individual participation and message notification,were impressive. The success depended on the masses of participants waving homemade signs. It succeeded.

It is also important to buck up opposition in ruby red towns and states: Not only does it give a backbone to local resisters to know they are not alone, but it also gives those who listen only to Trump supportive media to hear another side and to see the messages on the cardboard posters. It also sends a message that the Trumpster majority in that locale cannot bully to quiet and submission by their tactics of shaming and supression. In ruby red Douglas County , a southern suburb of Denver, local officials tried to snuff out an expected NO KINGs demonstrations by requesting they postpone it because they had another event scheduled. The result was a doubling of estimation of the turnout on June 14. Thousands march in "No Kings" rally in Douglas County

The removal of the civil disobedience element as a technique used by MLK and Gandhi made it possible and safer for those less brave, including children, the elderly, mothers, fathers, and grandparents, to participate. It was multi-generational and at times, joyful. It gave an outlet for many who wanted to express their resistance to Trump but were not violent or confrontational. The use of NO KINGS was the least partisan and anger-rousing substitute name for Trump possible. It was a group civics lesson as it inspired a deeper appreciation of the benefits of democracy. It was a history lesson, too, that highlighted the reason our form of democracy came about in the first place 250 years ago. It was the spirit of 1776 and the beginning of resistance against a tyrant, too. The children and young people who participated will probably never forget June 14.

June 14 NO KINGS and the numbers and kind who participated put a lie to Trump and his minions, who in advance tried to paint it as a bunch of paid professional demonstrators.

-What was not reflected in the marches were minorities ...especially Hispanics, who were likely in hiding (exception LA first generation). That may help inspire more support from the Hispanic community. That this was mostly white does not reflect the strength of the Hispanc vote. The anti-DEI racist agenda of MAGA is an accelerant. We cannot take this for granted..and make sure that NO Kings also implies support of minority and civil rights, too. I am closely monitoring the polling of Hispanics to see if the losses Democrats have experienced in recent years have been reversed, and it would be a significant advantage in 2026. The assumption that Hispanics would be for Democrats because of Trump's anti immigration stance was wrong. Many Hispanics also feared or looked down on the recent immigrants, and they too saw the economy as a problem that Trump promised to fix.. However, Trump's cruelty may change some minds there.

In the long run, which way the economy goes will still be a significant factor in where the swing and Hispanc vote goes. Trump is doing his best to increase the cost of living, but TACO Trump is showing flexibility daily on his policies.

https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2024:_Analysis_of_voter_turnout_in_the_2024_general_election

Trump's abuse of power: he targets Democrat-run cities for ICE raids avoids Texas (Dallas) and Miami

 While Trump is only focusing on Democratic run cities...his abuse of power for political purposes is pretty obvious.  I conducted a brief AI search and reviewed the data sources they utilized.  Texas, which is run by the GOP, has an estimated 1.7 million undocumented migrants;(GOP-run Dallas, close to 300 thousand alone). Miami, also run by a GOP mayor, has the "5th largest population of undocumented migrants in the US."  Trump directs ICE to expand deportations in Democratic-run cities  

The thought did not escape my mind that if Trump cracks down on just blue states and cities, the only sanctuaries left will be red states and cities, because they too have huge populations of "unauthorized" migrants..

For GOP run Florida over 700K. Profile of the Unauthorized Population - fl | migrationpolicy.org

However, Miami is run by a GOP mayor and has the 5th largest population of undocumented in the US. https://www.miamiherald.com/.../pol.../article131785114.html

How many immigrants live in Houston, Texas without legal permission? Nearly half a million. Mayor is a Democrat    

 1.7 million in Texas  1.7 million undocumented immigrants live in Texas

In Dallas, Mayor, GOP.(became a Republican in September) estimated  300 K    undocumented migrants   https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/unauthorized-immigrant-population/county/48113#:~:text=Profile%20of%20the%20Unauthorized%20Population,34

TACO Trump backs off mass deportations policies Update 6/16/2025

Update 6/16/2025: Trump issued the memo to exempt restaurant, hotel, and farm workers from ICE raids. That was clearly a political decision since owners of those establishments are often his base supporters.  Left out of his memo were those engaged in construction or services to homes and health care.  TACO Trump strikes again . https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-immigration-officials-told-largely-pause-raids-farms-hotels-nyt-reports-2025-06-14/ Trump emitió el memorando para eximir a los trabajadores de restaurantes, hoteles y granjas de las redadas de ICE. Fue claramente una decisión política, ya que los dueños de esos establecimientos suelen ser sus simpatizantes. Excluyó del memorando a quienes trabajan en la construcción o en servicios para el hogar y la salud. TACO Trump ataca de nuevo. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-immigration-officials-told-largely-pause-raids-farms-hotels-nyt-reports-2025-06-14/

I am torn between relief, living in a county with tourism and skiers as one economic engine and ranching still a major occupation, and sad he was so late recognizing what he had been warned about for so long was reality. ...sad for those already deported. However, I am not sure if his less-than-bright Kristi Noem. Secretary of Homeland Security has gotten the memo yet? Lost in the violent takedown of Sen. Padilla, at her presser in LA, was what she said before the takedown was motivating her rabid devotion to mass deportation of non-criminal migrants, which was to "liberate California from the socialists" and "burdensome leadership" of Gov. Newsom and Mayor Bass. https://time.com/7293667/alex-padilla-noem-los-angeles/ I would like to see how that reasoning would stand up in any court, but it is revealing of the true political motives of the federalization of the military to carry out the Trump policies. It was not to protect its citizens, but to advance an ideology over the objections of adversaries.. Calling Gov. Newsom and Mayor Bass socialists is an ideological slur similar to the left calling MAGA neo Nazis..

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/backing-down-trump-modifies.html TACO Trump

Governor Gavin Newsom delivers a bill of particulars against Donald Trump..Links to video/transcript

Governor Newsom Delivers Major Address to Californians 

Please hear it., please read it. . It contains a bill of particulars, a list of grievances, reminding me of the list of grievances against a King those in 1776 called a tyrant and included them in the Declaration of Independence. When I can get the text of Newsom's address, I will post it here. Fittingly June 14 is no Kings Day across America.

(the list in the Declaration of Independence of grievances. Grievances of the United States Declaration of Independence - Wikipedia)  for background.

Newsom addressed more than the California situation and came up with hs own bill of particulars.  It may be overlooked by some in the media, but it is the best attack against Trump's attempt  to destroy American democracy .  As he delivered a list of how Trump .is against democracy as we have known it, he was also adamant against the resistance using violence. and they "would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law"  That has been ignored by the right wing press as of the morning of 6/11

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/06/10/governor-newsoms-address-to-california-democracy-at-a-crossroads/

"If some of us can be snatched off the streets without a warrant, based only on suspicion or skin color, then none of us are safe. 

Authoritarian regimes begin by targeting people who are least able to defend themselves. But they do not stop there.

Trump and his loyalists thrive on division because it allows them to take more power and exert even more control. 

By the way, Trump – he’s not opposed to lawlessness and violence, as long as it serves HIM. 

What more evidence do we need than January 6th?

I ask everyone to take the time to reflect on this perilous moment.

A president who wants to be bound by no law or constitution.

Perpetrating a unified assault on American traditions.

This is a President who, in just over 140 days, has fired government watchdogs that could hold him accountable for corruption and fraud.

He’s declared a war on culture, on history, on science – on knowledge itself. Databases, quite literally vanishing.

He’s delegitimizing news organizations and assaulting the First Amendment.

At the threat of defunding them, he’s dictating what universities can teach.

Targeting law firms and the judicial branch that are the foundation of an orderly, civil society.

Calling for a sitting Governor to be arrested for no other reason than – to use his words – “for getting elected.”

And we all know, this Saturday, he’s ordering our American heroes – the United States military – forcing them to put on a vulgar display to celebrate his birthday, just as other failed dictators have done in the past.

Look, this isn’t just about protests in LA. 

When Donald Trump sought blanket authority to commandeer the National Guard, he made that order apply to every state in this nation.

This is about all of us. This is about you.

California may be first – but it clearly won’t end here. Other states are next.

Democracy is next.

Democracy is under assault right before our eyes – the moment we’ve feared has arrived. 

He’s taking a wrecking ball to our founding fathers’ historic project.

Three independent, coequal branches of government. 

There are no longer any checks and balances. Congress is nowhere to be found. Speaker Johnson has completely abdicated that responsibility.

The rule of law has increasingly given way to the rule of Don. "

On violence, Newsom accused the calling in of the National Guard of rekindling a peaceful protest and inciting the violence. He continued:

"several dozen lawbreakers became violent and destructive. They vandalized property. They tried to assault police officers. 

Many of you have seen video clips of cars burning on cable news.  

If you incite violence or destroy our communities, you are going to be held accountable. 

That kind of criminal behavior will not be tolerated. Full stop. 

Already, more than 370 people have been arrested. And we’re reviewing tapes to build additional cases, and people will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Trump is acting like a tin pot dictator who is afraid of resistance

 The absurd overreaction of armed troops in LA, looking like they are invading Afghanistan, makes a visual point. Trump wants to and acts like a wannabe dictator who rules with an iron fist and fear..What he is doing is what dictators do, especially when they fear resistance. The best response by protesters is what is developing of peaceful cardboard held messengers in mass...that makes Trump look even more ridiculous and dictatorial. I cannot imagine a better way than this to inspire /turn out nationwide protestors on June 14, No Kings events, across the country. Great crowd control ability demonstrated by the LA police, 9 thousand strong, and they are to be commended for arresting the few violent actors, while the heavily armed troops are just standing in guard rows looking fierce and useless, as the LA police show them how it is done. Violent actors only hurt the cause they purport to support.

Trump's purpose goes way beyond the deportation of undocumented immigrants. He seems to believe this will help him to consolidate his power by making LA an example and gin up his immigrant-hating base at the same time. Great diversion, too. His base is being robbed of their access to health care in Congress to make the ultra-rich even richer, and it helps his base forget his failure to make their lives more affordable.

Manifestantes anti-ICE, ¡cuidado! No le den a Trump una excusa para fascistas .updated 6 15 2025

Update: Si cree que su inquilino está siendo arrestado injustamente por el ICE, pídale que le grite su fecha de nacimiento para que, al menos, pueda reportar su nombre y fecha de nacimiento a ciertas agencias encargadas de rastrear su paradero. Una agencia que sí recibe información sobre las actividades del ICE se encuentra en una publicación anterior: https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2024/11/mass-deportations-colorado-is-ground.html

 Update 6/16/2025 Trump emitió el memorando para eximir a los trabajadores de restaurantes, hoteles y granjas de las redadas de ICE. Fue claramente una decisión política, ya que los dueños de esos establecimientos suelen ser sus simpatizantes. Excluyó del memorando a quienes trabajan en la construcción o en servicios para el hogar y la salud. TACO Trump ataca de nuevo. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-immigration-officials-told-largely-pause-raids-farms-hotels-nyt-reports-2025-06-14/

 Manifestantes anti-ICE, ¡cuidado! No le den a Trump una excusa para satisfacer sus instintos fascistas enviando marines. Usará la violencia continua como excusa. Este es el mismo presidente que, durante su primer mandato, quería que militares en activo dispararan en las piernas a los manifestantes de Black Lives Matter, pero solo su entorno lo detuvo. Ahora, nadie a su alrededor lo detendría. No hay nada que preferiría hacer para consolidar su poder e inspirar aún más a su base antiinmigrante. Quiere ser violento. Tampoco se ganará siendo violento en las calles. El hecho de que haya llamado a la Guardia Nacional sin la solicitud del gobernador de California ya es un paso más hacia el fascismo, porque afirman que esto es una rebelión, una insurrección, una invasión o amenazas de guerra... Quiere convertir a Estados Unidos en un estado policial. Trump actuará primero ilegalmente y luego, si la opinión pública y los tribunales se vuelven en su contra, recurrirá a la ley. Los disturbios violentos no son una insurrección. Ignorar el debido proceso para deportar a migrantes que alegan que una invasión venezolana no fue una invasión ni una insurrección. Le gusta la violencia cometida por personas blancas, como lo demostró el 6 de enero, y no por personas de color, como lo demuestra su instinto en la historia de BlackLives Matter y George Floyd. Aprenda de Martin Luther King sobre cómo llevar a cabo la desobediencia civil.

Careful. Do not give Trump an opportunity to turn the US into fascist police state.

"There is a reason you separate the military and the police. One fights the enemies of the state. The other serves and protects the people. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the state tend to become the people". Battlestar Galactica                

Careful, anti-ICE demonstrators. Do not give an excuse for Trump to satisfy his fascist instincts by sending in marines. He will use continued violence as an excuse. This is the same president who wanted the active military to shoot Black Lives Matter demonstrators in the legs, in his first term, but was only stopped by those around him. There is no one around him now who would stop him. There is nothing he would rather do to consolidate his power and inspire his immigrant-hating base even more. He wants to be violent. You will not win by being violent, either, in the streets. That he called in the National Guard without California's governor's request is already a step closer to fascist behavior because they claim this is a rebellion, an insurrection, or an invasion, or war threats of it...He would like to turn the US into a police state. Trump will act first lawlessly, and TACO later if he finds public opinion and courts turning against him. Angry riots are not an insurrection. Ignoring due process to deport migrants claiming an invasion by Venezuela was not an invasion or an insurrection. He likes violence committed by white people, as January 6 showed, and not by people of color, as his instincts showed in the Black Lives Matter/George Floyd history shows. Take a lesson from Martin Luther King on how to conduct civil disobedience.

Hegseth warns US Marines on 'high alert' to be deployed in LA riots

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2024/06/documented-history-of-trumps-call-to.html   Trump's history of invoking violence

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/trumpl-first-president-in-history.html  Trump fans the flames of violence, yet calls himself the champion of law and order...the history of Trump's love of political violence committed on his behalf.

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Gen.Milley and Gen.Kelly aren't kidding " Trump's a fascist updated 10/25/24

Source: CHAT GDP

Colorado's Tenant Privacy & ICE Requests

Immigrant Tenant Protection Act (effective June 30, 2020) broadly prohibits landlords from:

• Demanding or collecting info about immigration/citizenship status.
• Disclosing—or even threatening to disclose—such info to local enforcement or federal agencies, including ICE.
• Taking adverse actions against tenants based on immigration status (denying lease, non-renewal, termination, eviction, etc.) cbsnews.comleg.colorado.gov+2leg.colorado.gov+2law.justia.com+2.

So you must not voluntarily provide ICE with rental applications, lease info, or tenant identities.

---

 When Must You Comply?

1. If served with a valid judicial warrant or subpoena, you generally must comply. ICE needs a court order—not an informal or administrative request—to compel disclosure .
2. If ICE lacks a warrant, you are legally prohibited from sharing any information.

---

 Practical Steps for You

1. Review any documents ICE provides.
• If it’s a subpoena or judicial warrant, check for proper jurisdiction and signatures before responding.
• If it’s just an informal request, you are not obligated—in fact, likely prohibited—from cooperating.
2. Consider consulting your attorney, especially if ICE's document seems vague or you’re unsure whether it qualifies as a court order.
3. Secure tenant privacy.
• Keep your lease files confidential.
• Do not ask tenants about immigration status.
4. Know the consequences if you violate this law: tenants can sue you, and you could face civil damages.

 

If you think your tenant is being wrongfully arrested by ICE, ask your tenant to shout his/her date of birth to you to report name and dob to certain agencies geared to track his/her whereabouts, at least. One agency that does receive information about ICE activities is in a prior posting. https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2024/11/mass-deportations-colorado-is-ground.html

Democrat's messaging again: How about a new version of a "fair deal"

 Once upon a time, I thought Americans valued fairness.  It was a value people embraced.  I will make a leap of assumption that it is still a value with more voters than those who are completely self-absorbed and self-promoting. What about a good gut cry:  "It ain't fair" and proposing a " fair deal for all".  The implication that "all" means rich who need to chip in their fair share and ordinary people, who are just hard working people, trying make ends meet, caring for others or themselves and their families,  who are very disadvantaged, sick, aged, uneducated, or victims of racial or cultural discrimination. 

Packaging it always the challenge, but I heard a way to do it recently. Whatever you think of former Rep. David Jolly, who morphed from a Florida Republican Congressman to an independent and finally to a Democrat to run for Florida governor, or even if you think he has no chance to win, he has a way with words 6/6/ and 6/7, 2025. He had two short phrases in a recent CBS interview that hit home to me and he repeated  it on other media: He is for Democratic values that "fights for an economy for all and a party that lifts up everyone.", providing a context for the economic fairness and cultural issues he then fleshed out in short soundbites of issues relevant to Florida. 

Perhaps I am a cockeyed optimist, but Democrats I think understand that the goal of the anti DEI application of the radical MAGAs is to roll back the civil rights movement and it is not fair to all , tax policies that give great deals to the very rich at the expense of the very poor are not fair to all, or propose tariff policies that screw the budget conscious families to satisfy some notion of a power grabbing president, are also just not fair.

 Democrats' messaging to date not been put into clear, sharp words.  Democrats have backed into it by decrying each issue as it comes up as bad for ordinary people. It has become a predictable background noise. Democrats should reverse the order and state the value up front instead of delivering it as a conclusion before getting into the brain-numbing weeds of public policy issues and data, as cable talkers, those at political rallies, town halls, and sound-bite interviewees often do.

 Democrats have a history of the New Deal, the war on poverty, and promoting consumer and environmental protections that attempt to bring fairness in public policies to more than just the rich.  Why not resurrect the slogan from a true populist president, Harry S. Truman: "a fair deal". It's roots go deep in Democratic party traditions and Truman's version was as timely then as it is today, if more so."President Truman's Fair Deal ensured the survival of social security, preserved the American welfare system, and prioritized civil rights legislation." Truman's Fair Deal | Overview, History & Significance - Lesson | Study.com    It just needs to be packaged a bit differently, as a value applied to our modern times. It is both an implied attack on MAGA as well as a positive message of what Democrats stand for today that has appeal across party lines.

.The truth is the MAGA core group will never be moved off whatever appeals to them, including dog-whistles and attempts by Trump to execute unconstitutional policies that favor one race or economic power over another. There are voters out there who still value being fair or who count themselves as victims of the MAGA unfairness policies. Democrats do still have to make sure those being hurt know who to blame, but that is a subpoint, not the theme alone.  It needs to be put in context of fairness.

Democrat's simple messaging on Trump's corruption updated 6 15 2025

More suggestions for Democrat messaging in 2026.

The message should be kept brief and simple, based on what is public information.  It is not that complicated,  and should be repeated, repeated, repeated..

The issue: Nixon: It isn't illegal if the president does it. Trump: It isn't illegal if it is done in the open. 

• FYI: Bribery and emoluments from foreigners are still criminal acts, whether in the open or not.  Trump flaunts his greed and grift with meme coin dinner attended by foreign interests, $400 million gift of a 747 he solicited himself, and lucrative crypto deals with Middle Eastern royalty.  
• GOP Congress and the judiciary are the only powers left to stop the Trump regime's corruption. The judiciary is under attack and is being bullied by Trump and his supporters.  

The damage:

• Dangerous precedent: Now any future president can also make a personal profit by being president, too, if Trump gets away with it. 
• Corruption does not benefit citizens' interests and concerns or their financial well-being. There is no trickle down as the greedy pocket the proceeds. Tax policy is what benefits the greedy and grifters.  
• Governmental policies are not made in the interest of ordinary citizens, as policy priorities often serve the self-serving interests of those who have been bribed and those who have bribed, allowing the corrupt to fulfill their deals.

Evidence now it is happening 

The big beautiful bill and DOGE are exhibit #1 of this .Environmental and consumer protections are gutted, and millions living on the margins, kids , disabled, elderly in nursing homes, lose access to health care and nutritious food., and government watchdogs over corruption are fired. They are sacrificed to governmental support of making the ultra richer even richer who use their wealth to finance electons of those who support their goals, from the Oval office to local governments and Congress.

           Trump Raked in $57.3 Million From Crypto Venture, Per White House Financial Disclosures 

           https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/private-event-with-crypto-customers-fuels-accusations-of-trump-profiting-off-presidency

  

The answer: 

  In 2026, at least Congress, likely the House, can be changed so that it can bolster the rule of law and expose corruption. Vote the MAGA bums out. 

(Yet to be felt: inflation and consumer price increases caused by tariffs, as well as a possible recession, may eclipse any other  issues in 2026, particularly  this summer and fall.) 

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Trump and family crypto investments are raising eyebrows. Any there there?

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: How the Trump administration is clearing the way for corruption, updated to 5/27/2025  

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Feathering his own nest, Trump trades on his position in crypto, updated 5/7/2025

Neguse and others  anti corruption bill: from Next-Generation Lawmakers Unveil Legislative Agenda to End Corruption in Washington D.C. | Congressman Joe Neguse

The End Corruption Now legislative agenda targets conflicts of interest and would put a stop to the selling of access and influence, including banning Members of Congress from trading stocks or becoming lobbyists, and strengthening anti-corruption laws. It includes the following bills:  

• The Close the Revolving Door Act, introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse, places a lifetime ban on Members of Congress from serving as lobbyists. The bill is championed in the U.S. Senate by Senator Michael Bennet. Read the bill text HERE.
• The Restoring Integrity in Democracy Resolution, introduced by Rep. Angie Craig, would prohibit Members of Congress from serving on corporate boards. Read the bill text HERE.
• The Transparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust (TRUST) in Congress Act, introduced by Rep. Seth Magaziner, effectively bans Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from trading individual stocks by requiring them to either divest from individual stock holdings or move their investments into a qualified blind trust during their entire tenure in Congress. Read the bill text HERE.
• The No Corporate Crooks Act, introduced by Rep. Chris DeLuzio, prohibits any chief executive officers, in either the public or private sector, convicted of covered financial crimes from serving in the executive branch. Read the bill text HERE.  
• The Stop Millionaires Using Service for Kickbacks (MUSK) Act, introduced by Rep. Pat Ryan, requires government employees defined as Executive Schedule (I-IV) employees, Special Government Employees, and people in the Executive Office of the President to recuse themselves from any matters affecting the financial interests of their previous employers for the four-year period. Read the bill text HERE.
• The Integrity in Government (IG) Act, introduced by Rep. Hillary Scholten, strengthens checks and balances by installing new oversight measures for the White House and its top offices and protecting independent watchdogs from political retaliation. Read the bill text HERE.
• The Closing Bribery Loopholes Act, introduced by Rep. Emilia Sykes, closes loopholes in the federal bribery statute by clarifying the definition of an “official act” by a public official. The bill expands the definition to prohibit public officials from improperly using their position for private gain. Read the bill text HERE. 

The End Corruption Now agenda is endorsed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Public Citizen, and Project On Government Oversight (POGO). 

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Trump and family crypto investments are raising eyebrows. Any there there?

Gee, Sen. Hawley, maybe the judiciary 's frequent TRO's caused by scofflaw Trump's arrogance.

 Gee, Sen. Hawley, maybe the judiciary's frequent TRO's  (temporary restraining orders)caused by scofflaw Trump's arrogant acts..  Sen. Josh 6/4/2025 attempted to make a case that Trump was being unfairly treated by the judiciary because more temporary restraining orders were being levied against Trump's actions far more than against any other president. It was an aggressive brow-beating cross-examination of a law school professor. The reason, Sen. Hawley, is because Trump is acting like a dictator, issuing orders that are clearly unconstitutional like no other in US history...on purpose, to try to break down the rule of law so he can rule lawlessly. He is counting on the Supreme Court appointees he backed would be more loyal to him than to the Constitution. Trump's goal: stack the judiciary with judges pledging loyalty to him rather than to the law or Constitution, and to stop TROs by courts with national impact, thereby undermining his opponents. This Trump behavior has opened a clash between traditional conservatives and MAGA radicals. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-aims-build-maga-judiciary-breaking-traditional-conservatives-rcna210785

Trump seems to be taking the Supreme Court's immunity-granting to him to mean he can just ignore the laws and Constitution, and his loyal DOJ would back him up. It is the arrogance of a wannabe dictator. Perhaps, Sen. Hawley, the problem lies in Trump's arrogance, which leads him to behave unconstitutionally on purpose, flaunting it for political purposes, causing the judiciary to put the brakes on him, even with rulings by judges appointed by Trump or prior GOP presidents.

Definition of a TRO: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/temporary_restraining_order

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5331662-hawley-spars-with-legal-professor-over-injunctions-blocking-trump/

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-trump-regime-plot-to-break-rule-of.html

Germany's rearmament is spurred on; a fallout from the Oval Office ambush of Zelensky update 6/5/2025

Let's see how the new Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, handled the Oval Office ambush on June 5, 2025. Merz had the advantage of seeing Trump's ambush of earlier visitors twice. How did Merz do?  Nimble, wise, and no pushover.  This is a report written as the press conference unfolds in real time.(a prelude to more private discussions). My takeaway from the presser: Trump may have met an immovable object besides Zelensky: Friedrich Merz, while Trump's bromance with Putin is back on again for today.(masTACO?).  More: A possible ambush went awry; Merz places the blame on Trump for the war continuing, arguing that he had the power to halt it by pressuring Putin.

The agreement was clear: both wanted peace. How to get there was the profound rub. On sales of American natural gas to Germany, Trump seemed ok, but  (the US has plenty of gas), he  is tying it to tariff talks later between them.: Trump on German rearmament," guess it's a good thing Germany rearms.(up to a point: We'll be watching".(This could be a veiled warning to Germany; Trump may object to German missiles fired by Ukraine deep into Russia, which Merz just approved, as Trump holds onto his love of Putin)

 When asked about support for Ukraine, Trump went off on diversions and deflections that were red meat for the local media and did not answer.  It will be interesting to see how Merz deals with all of this as discussions continue. Merz is fluent in English and conducted this presser without a translator.  Most press questions from the Trump chosen friendly press corps were about national issues, immigration,/deportation budget bill, Musk, showing to me that the domestic press does not have a clue about the context of this meeting or just lobbed softballs to give Trump a chance to comment on domestic issues and to avoid a profound conflict of Trump and Merz over Ukraine policy.  The pertinent questions for Germany were asked by the German press attending, it appears.

 Merz later attempted to press Trump on Ukraine and US support, urging the follow-up discussions to put Ukraine on their agenda, but once again, Trump went off on how well recruitment was going in the US army (wink,wink: Germans are also against DEI) . Trump then continued and went off like a sad third-party analyst. Tsk-tsking the conflict, pinning no blame on Putin as he talked about yesterday's phone call with Putin, again with his refusing to take a side in the conflict, confirming the war will go on, and the West should stop hitting Russia's interior. Stop it, he said. He then made a sorry analogy... both sides (Putin, Ukraine) hate each other so war will go on in spite of his efforts to bring peace.." Just like two kids fighting..they'll get tired of it. Get tired of it. Sadly, the war will go on".  There was no recognition that Russia invaded Ukraine, trying to annex it to Russia, or that Ukraine was fighting as a nation for its very survival.  Or that Putin's latest peace conditions were a complete surrender of Ukraine, no security, give up Russian-occupied territory to Russia, etc.. " It was as if," Trump said, "Let the two kids fight it out; they will get tired of it, and then they will discuss". Trump firmly believes that Russia has more guns and cannon fodder, so Russia will win anyway.. Trump obviously has not counted on the wild card: Germany. 

 Merz, after giving Trump plenty of say, then set the stage for the world to blame Trump for the continuing conflict when he responded:" The only way to get peace is to put pressure on Putin. Germany is backing Ukraine. and building up their strength to do so. However,  the US has that ability to put pressure on Putin now." It looks like Merz pinned the blame on the lack of peace negotiations right on Trump for not putting pressure on Putin, saying the only way to bring about peace was to arm and support Ukraine, which could be done with more German help.

 An ambush gone wrong? Trump once again talked about the body parts of those killed in the conflict as to why he wanted peace now, and Merz countered that the carnage was done with Russian weapons against Ukrainian civilians and that Ukrainians were not targeting civilians like the Russians were doing.. Merz must have gotten an inkling that the pictures Trump was about to show were of military killed in battle, as Trump referenced a video he wanted to show. (and then didn't)  It looks like Merz knew Trump was going to key up pictures of body parts and headed it off.. Trump tried a similar ambush stunt on the visiting South African president that turned out to be a video of the Congo atrocities, not South African black on white farmers as it was purported to show. 

Trump's TACO waffling with Putin and his "throwing up his hands and walking away" signals something else more than just passively benefiting, bro Putin.  It also signals that third-party actions like Germany's have taken control of the situation from his hands. Both Putin and Trump made an epic miscalculation, assuming that Europe would never step up to the plate or not realizing that Ukrainians would be able to change the nature of modern warfare and manufacture their own drones to compensate for the lack of fighting manpower.

Continuing with an earlier posting 6/4/2025

While Spider Web was an ace up Zelensky's sleeve, the media in the US overlooked a long-term, more significant story: Germany's rearmining. Germany's rearmament is helped by a shift in German public opinion to the right, spurred on recently by fallout from the Oval Office meeting with Zelensky. Feb28. It resulted in the election of a new chancellor, May 6, who was committed to keeping Ukraine out of Russian hands. Friedrich Merz's conservative party had won the plurality of parliament Feb. 23, but assembling a coalition to reach a majority took some time. As soon as Merz was confirmed, he seized the Ukraine issue by the horns as a national security issue and vowed to increase Germany's conventional army dramatically. The Meaning of Germany's Dramatic Rearmament | TIME  

Merz then gives Ukraine the ability to use their missiles deep inside Russia.Does Germany's new military deal with Ukraine signal a more muscular stance on Russia? | DW News

Since WW II, Germany had virtually disbanded its military because of their history and internal opposition to Germany living up to its 2% commitment to NATO. Public opinion shifted (enhancing a recent trend to the right) after the Oval Office ambush of Zelensky and a realization that the US was no longer their military umbrella to protect themselves from the threat Russia's control of Ukraine presented to their own national security, and a realization that all of Western Europe would be destabilized.

It was an ace up Zelensky's sleeve that neither Trump nor Putin had counted on. Germany is emerging as both an economic and a military powerhouse, not to be ignored or discounted by Trump. Putin has overplayed his own hand and inspired Germany to rearm. If Trump thought Zelensky had no more cards to play and should accept a virtual surrender to Trump's pal, Putin, he was so wrong. Ukraine still believes it can win and is not ready to agree to Russia's terms, which are a virtual surrender. Putin thinks his superior numbers of fighters will win and outlast Ukraine. Ukraine's use of drones that it manufactures itself is how Ukraine can compensate for the lack of manpower. The success of Operation Spider Web and the damage to Russia's bridge to Crimea suggest that even a short-term peace agreement will not be reached. Both sides still think they can win.

Germany will not be up to full speed and force for a couple of years, but already has the ability to be effective with missiles. Trump's approval of US military aid to Ukraine is still critical in the short term. If he disapproves, and Ukraine collapses to Russia, he will go down in history as the president who lost Ukraine (he had the ability to save Ukrane, and did nothing) which will make Biden's nasty withdrawal from Afghanistan look like some, including Lindsay Graham, see it as a"walk in the park". To walk away will be Trump's blunder that will forever follow him into history.

Another miscalculation by Trump is the impressive bipartisan support still in Congress for Ukraine that is veto-proof.. The Graham-Blumenthal bill to impose more sanctions on Russia may pass despite Trump's reluctance to cross his buddy in the Kremlin.. Trump's waffling is another TACO that the pro-Ukraine backers in Congress are hoping for.

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/trump-and-putin-going-at-ukraine-again.html

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/time-for-trump-to-put-money-where-his.html

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2025/03/trumps-epic-miscalculation-on-ukraine.html

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb9q6w6NGN0