Stay informed. Run for something. Support whistleblowers.
Three important asks for what's ahead.
Reading over the executive orders signed by Trump in his first three days — many in flagrant violation of the United States Constitution — it’s hard to not feel like our country is in a philosophical war with itself.
The “sickness of America’s soul” that I’ve spoken about in the past appears to be winning the battle for our future.
Which is why all of us - you, me, everyone - need to start planning now if we want to take meaningful action and stop this infection before we rot from the inside out.
Stay informed.
I’ve been shocked by how misinformed many Democrats have been about current affairs — from Israeli war crimes to TikTok bans, we can’t afford to be misinformed.
We have fallen into many of the same traps that have mislead republican voters — we siloed ourselves off, only listening to those who largely take their orders from the Democratic party. I don’t say that to shit on Democrats — I’m a lifelong Democrat. But, no, they’re not always right.
If you’re getting your news from people who condemned the TikTok ban as censorship under Trump, then supported it under Biden, then again blamed Trump when he un-banned it, then you’re not following someone with integrity.
If you’re following people who attacked those who expressed concerns over Biden’s age years ago, then went full-tilt toward Harris, then you’re not listening to someone capable of independent thought.
If you’re following people who can’t name a single democratic policy they disagree with or even think can be improved, you’re not following someone who is honest nor smart.
Don’t just get your information through pundits and Democratic mouthpieces. Let’s try to live up to our reputations by listening to the experts.
Here are some of the most valuable subscriptions/follows I recommend:
Marc Elias, contributor at Democracy Docket and one of (if not the) leading attorneys challenging Trump’s unconstitutional laws, provides invaluable insight into the legal challenges making their way through the courts.
is a professor at Syracuse University and provides expert commentary and resources related to immigration and refugee laws through his substack.Jim Stewartson unmasked the real QAnon years ago (yes, it’s Mike Flynn), and has since then been tracking disinformation campaigns and propaganda on his substack, MindWar: The Psychological War on Democracy. He’s an important person to follow if you want to be ahead of the curve on what Russia and other countries are trying to force down America’s throats.
Mehdi Hasan was one of the best and brightest at MSNBC. He and his team will keep you current on domestic and international affairs, and his new, independent news agency, Zeteo, provides deep investigative reporting about critical issues. He’s brought in some of the brightest people in media — former Washington Post reporter
, Pakistani writer Fatima Bhutto, and geographer .Read the works of thought leaders like Ta-Nehisi Coates, provocateurs like
, and leaders like AOC.For more traditional news, follow
, , and .Be critical of what you read or see in the news. Ask questions. Don’t ignore that voice in your head saying “this doesn’t make sense.” Learn to challenge your own assumptions. Our world is complicated.
Run for something.
Running for office can be an amazing experience. That’s not to say it’s not without its ups and downs, but running for Congress was one of the most fun and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.
Not everyone wants to be a public figure and I’ll be the first to tell you that it is not an easy path.
I’ll also be the first to tell you that I never thought of myself as someone capable of doing the things I’ve done, to survive the things I’ve survived, and to be someone others admire and look to for strength and hope.
Not everyone who runs for office becomes a national or even statewide figure.
Planning to run for something big like Congress can take time — maybe you’re not ready this cycle, but you can run for something lower and work your way to it.
Run For Something’s “Where Can I Run In?” tool will tell you every office you’re eligible to run for based on your address.
I am not running for Congress this term or any term in the near future. My representative — Jamie Raskin — is among the fiercest leaders in Congress and even if I wanted to challenge him (I don’t), I wouldn’t win.
I am, however, considering other races at the urging of advisors and party members here in Maryland.
If you want advice or help, you can reach out to me directly. I can also help direct you to organizations and groups who will help you.
And for the love of God and this nation, support whistleblowers.
Contact me or any of the organizations listed above if you think you might want to come forward to report wrongdoing. I’ve worked directly with nearly every organization on this list. Psst is a brand-new organization, but is headed by good people.
All previous advice — document everything, find a lawyer, protect yourself — still stands.