Courage Becomes Contagious as Universities, Courts, and Lawmakers Resist - The Resistance Brief for 17 April 2025

Information, insight, and inspiration for resisting tyranny in America

Welcome!

Welcome to The Resistance Sentinel! This edition of the newsletter covers significant resistance to the Trump-Musk regime, including universities defying federal demands, court rulings against regime deportation actions, and large-scale mobilization through events like the Sanders-AOC anti-oligarchy tour. It also highlights international resistance to the regime's trade war. Finally, it outlines upcoming protest actions scheduled for April 19th. But first…

Daily Inspiration

Check out this short segment from Rachel Maddow discussing the growing resistance to Trump from American universities. Even Columbia University has now backed out of its prior, widely-criticized deal with the Trump regime. We are hopeful that this is an example of what will become increasingly contagious courage across all of our civic institutions!

Resistance Today

Civil Society & Publics

Harvard's defiance of the Trump administration's demands has sparked a nationwide coalition of universities standing together against authoritarian overreach, marking a significant moment of institutional resistance. President Garber's refusal to comply with federal demands has galvanized peer institutions like Stanford, Columbia, MIT, and Princeton to similarly reject government attempts to control university operations and academic freedom. This coordinated resistance represents a crucial stand against the regime's efforts to weaponize federal funding and regulatory power to undermine universities. The universities' expanding united front demonstrates how coordinated institutional resistance can challenge authoritarian consolidation, even as the regime escalates threats of financial punishment and regulatory action.

Key Developments

• Harvard University refused Trump administration demands to close diversity programs and submit to federal control. (The Harvard Crimson)

• The Trump administration retaliated by freezing grants to Harvard and threatening to remove its tax-exempt status and ability to enroll foreign students. (The Guardian)

• Columbia University reversed its earlier acquiescence to Trump administration demands, joining Harvard in rejecting any agreement that would "require us to relinquish our independence and autonomy." (The New York Times)

• Stanford praised Harvard's stance, stating that change should not come from destroying research capacity or government takeover. (The Harvard Crimson)

• Former President Barack Obama endorsed Harvard's example for higher education institutions, calling it a rejection of "an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom." (The Guardian)

Bureaucratic & Executive

The Trump regime deliberately precipitated a cybersecurity breach at the National Labor Relations Board, as whistleblower Daniel Berulis has exposed despite facing personal intimidation. The DOGE operation's exfiltration of sensitive data demonstrates the regime's pattern of weaponizing government access to undermine democratic institutions. Berulis's courageous disclosure reveals how the regime is systematically dismantling democratic safeguards while intimidating those who resist, highlighting the critical role whistleblowers play in exposing authoritarian consolidation. The breach has also potentially exposed sensitive labor data to foreign adversaries, creating additional security vulnerabilities that threaten both worker privacy and national security.

Key Developments

• Whistleblower Daniel Berulis provided evidence that DOGE exfiltrated approximately 10 gigabytes of sensitive NLRB data, including union organizing activities, employee whistleblower identities, and legal strategies. (Reuters)

• In early March 2025, DOGE reps received unrestricted access to NLRB systems, creating a conflict of interest as Elon Musk leads companies under NLRB investigation. (Perplexity)

• A user with a Russian IP address attempted to log into NLRB systems with correct credentials shortly after DOGE accessed the systems, suggesting potential foreign exploitation of security vulnerabilities. (NextGov)

• After raising concerns internally about DOGE's activities, whistleblower Berulis received a physically taped threat on his door containing personal information and overhead photos of him walking his dog. (NextGov)

Legal & Judicial

The Trump regime's systematic defiance of court orders regarding deportations to El Salvador represents a dangerous escalation of authoritarian rule that threatens judicial independence and constitutional checks on executive power. Federal judges have found "probable cause" to hold the administration in contempt for willfully disregarding judicial orders prohibiting deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, demonstrating the regime's determination to operate above the law. The regime is testing the boundaries of judicial authority, creating precedents for ignoring court rulings, and establishing a pattern of executive overreach. The regime's public defiance, coupled with El Salvador's cooperation in detaining deportees, signals a dangerous new phase of authoritarian consolidation where international partnerships are being formed to circumvent domestic legal constraints. To their credit, courts continue to push back, attempting to hold the regime accountable even as court orders are ignored. The regime’s defiance, however, further reinforces the point we’ve made many times here: effective resistance will require more than just reliance on the judicial system.

Key Developments

• District Judge James Boasberg found "probable cause" to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for showing "willful disregard" toward his March orders requiring the return of Venezuelan migrants sent to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act. (Democracy Docket)

• Judge Paula Xinis scolded the Trump administration for doing "nothing" to comply with a Supreme Court order directing the White House to "facilitate" the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador. (New York Times)

• The Trump administration has "deliberately and gleefully" defied court orders, including rushing deportees out of the country before they could challenge their removal in court and ignoring directives that planes already in the air should return to the United States. (France24)

• El Salvador's dictator Nayib Bukele refused to return wrongfully deported individuals, mocking a court order on social media. Secretary of State Marco Rubio retweeted Bukele's post. (France24)

Congress & Lawmakers

The Trump regime's defiance of the Supreme Court's order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States represents a dangerous escalation. This incident demonstrates how the administration is weaponizing immigration enforcement to undermine constitutional protections and judicial oversight, creating a precedent for executive power that operates outside legal constraints. Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen's diplomatic mission to El Salvador exposed the regime's contempt for judicial authority as he was denied any contact with Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported and imprisoned in El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison. The regime is actively collaborating with Salvadoran dictator Nayib Bukele's authoritarian government, paying $6 million to detain immigrants in El Salvador while falsely labeling Abrego Garcia as an MS-13 gang member without providing evidence.

Key Developments

• Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen was denied any contact with wrongfully deported Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia during his diplomatic mission to El Salvador. (The Independent)

• The Trump administration is paying El Salvador $6 million to detain over 200 immigrants in the notorious CECOT prison, where inmates are denied contact with the outside world, while falsely claiming Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member without providing evidence. (The New Republic)

• A federal judge rebuked the Trump administration for doing "nothing" to comply with the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling to "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's release, stating "there will be no tolerance for gamesmanship or grandstanding." (The Independent)

• Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed concerns about Abrego Garcia's detention, stating "he is not coming back to our country" and "that's the end of the story," directly defying the Supreme Court's order. (The Independent)

• White House Communications Director Steven Cheung attacked Senator Van Hollen for supporting Abrego Garcia's return. (The Independent)

See more from Senator Van Hollen:

The Sanders-AOC "Fighting Oligarchy" tour represents a significant development in nonviolent resistance against the Trump regime, mobilizing unprecedented numbers of Americans in a strategic campaign that challenges authoritarianism through mass participation. Their rallies have drawn over 200,000 attendees across western states including traditionally conservative areas like Idaho and Utah, while AOC's record-breaking $9.6 million fundraising quarter signals growing grassroots support for the resistance movement. This mobilization demonstrates how nonviolent resistance can effectively challenge authoritarian power by building broad-based participation and targeting the regime's pillars of support.

Key Developments

• AOC raised $9.6 million in the first quarter of 2025 from 266,000 individual donors with an average donation of just $21, demonstrating the resistance movement's ability to build independent financial resources outside regime control. (The Independent)

• The progressive leaders have attracted massive crowds of tens of thousands per event across western states. (New York Times)

• Sanders made a surprise appearance at the Coachella music festival to mobilize young people against the regime, strategically expanding the resistance movement's demographic reach. (New York Times)

• While some Democratic leaders have attempted to find common ground with the Trump administration, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have maintained a firm opposition stance, refusing concessions to the regime and providing clear leadership for the resistance. (New York Times)

• The campaign has strategically expanded into traditionally conservative states including Utah, Idaho, and Arizona, extending the resistance movement beyond traditional Democratic strongholds. (The Independent)

State & Local Governments

While several Democratic governors mounted robust resistance, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs notably failed to join them this week, signalling her potential support for the Trump regime's militarization of the border. This contrast highlights the critical importance of state-level resistance to federal overreach, as governors in Massachusetts, Maine, and California have taken decisive stands against Trump's unconstitutional demands, while Hobbs appears to be considering compliance with the administration's border militarization plan. Her hesitation undermines the collective resistance effort and demonstrates how executive wavering can enable authoritarian expansion of military power against civilian populations.

Key Developments

• Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey commended Harvard President Alan Garber for defying Trump administration demands. (The Harvard Crimson)

• Maine Governor Janet Mills promised to fight the Department of Justice lawsuit against transgender athletes, calling it unconstitutional. (Common Dreams)

• California Governor Gavin Newsom sued the Trump administration over tariffs, arguing they would damage California's economy and that the president overstepped his authority.(WJBF)

• Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is considering Trump's military border plan, instead of joining other Democrats in opposing it. (Axios)

• The California AG refused to join Elon Musk's OpenAI lawsuit, claiming Musk failed to show public benefit. (Daily Maverick)

Media & Tech

The Trump regime's latest maneuver to remove the wire service position from the White House press pool represents a calculated escalation in its campaign to undermine independent media oversight, further consolidating authoritarian rule and restricting the flow of impartial information to the public. By eliminating the dedicated spot for wire services like The Associated Press, Reuters, and Bloomberg—despite a federal court order to restore AP's access—the regime is both retaliating against perceived criticism and structurally disadvantaging media outlets that provide broad, fact-based coverage, especially to local newsrooms without their own White House correspondents. This action not only defies judicial authority but also signals the regime's intent to reshape press access in ways that favor loyalist outlets, erode transparency, and chill dissent, exemplifying the regime's strategy of weakening independent institutions and neutralizing potential sources of resistance. The AP’s continued resistance is to be commended. The impacts of the regime’s actions on other wire services highlights the importance of solidarity to effective resistance. Other media outlets should boycott regime press conferences until wire service access for all outlets is restored.

Key Developments

• The Trump administration removed the AP from the White House press pool, likely to retaliate for their refusal to use specific terms and to bypass a court order. (CNN)

• The new pool rotation rules remove dedicated spots for wire services, forcing them to compete for limited access and reducing their White House coverage. (CNN)

• The Associated Press reported in court filings that the Trump regime continues to defy a federal judge's order to restore its full access, with White House officials justifying the exclusion by claiming the legal case is "ongoing". (New York Times)

International Resistance

The Trump regime's escalation of trade war tactics with China has triggered significant retaliation. China's suspension of rare earth mineral exports and imposition of 125% tariffs on US goods represents a calculated response that exploits America's manufacturing vulnerabilities, particularly in aerospace and defense sectors. Meanwhile, Trump's internaional bullying continues to advance through pressure on UK trade negotiations, where Vice President Vance's demands to repeal hate speech laws as a condition for a US-UK trade deal demonstrates how the regime uses economic leverage to export its authoritarian "free speech" agenda internationally. In Canada, the Trump regime's threats to annex Canadian territory and impose tariffs have not only destabilized the country's Conservative Party ahead of federal elections but have also sparked a significant academic exodus with Canadian universities reporting a 27% jump in US graduate applications as scholars and students flee Trump's crackdown on universities and international students.

Key Developments

• China halts rare earth exports to retaliate against Trump's tariffs, disrupting global supply chains. (New York Times)

• China blocks Boeing deliveries and imposes steep tariffs on US goods, hurting Boeing and US access to China's aviation market. (Telegraph)

• JD Vance is using a potential US-UK trade deal to pressure the UK to repeal hate speech laws. (Independent)

• US students are applying to Canadian universities in greater numbers due to Trump's policies. (Guardian)

• Canada's Conservative Party's popularity has plummeted due to voters rejecting leader Pierre Poilievre's populism, similar to Trump's, following Trump's threats against Canada. (Guardian)

Resistance Tomorrow

Vulnerabilities & Exposures

The Trump regime's militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border has resulted in the tragic deaths of two service members, highlighting the human cost of authoritarian border policies. Two U.S. service members assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border were killed in a vehicle accident near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, with a third seriously injured. The incident occurred as part of expanded military operations at the southern border, which were recently consolidated under Joint Task Force Southern Border as part of the Trump administration's aggressive anti-immigration agenda. This fatal accident underscores the consequences of the regime's decision to deploy thousands of active-duty troops to the border region, including elements of a Stryker brigade combat team and general support aviation battalion, as ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in March. The needless deaths of U.S. service members fighting a fake “invasion” could undermine support from a key pillar of regime power, the military.

Key Developments

• Two U.S. service members were killed and one seriously injured in a vehicle accident while supporting Joint Task Force Southern Border operations near the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico. (New York Times)

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had ordered nearly 3,000 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in March as part of Trump's effort to shut down immigration and drug traffic. (NBC News)

• Joint Task Force Southern Border assumed leadership of military operations at the border last month as part of the Trump administration's efforts to curtail illegal crossings. (New York Times)

Actions This Week

A significant nationwide protest against President Donald Trump's administration is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2025, organized by the grassroots movement 50501 ("50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement"). The protests will take place in over 400 locations across all 50 states, featuring rallies, community actions like donation drives, nature cleanups, and food drives. The demonstrations aim to voice opposition to Trump's policies since returning to office in January 2025, including concerns about civil rights, judicial autonomy, healthcare, social security, and what organizers characterize as authoritarian overreach. Plan to join an event in your community!

More Information

• Events | 50501 Movement