Cracks Widen in the Trump Regime as Courts, Veterans, and Even Musk Push Back – Resistance Brief for 28 May 2025

Information, insight, and inspiration for resisting tyranny in America

Welcome!

Welcome to The Resistance Sentinel, a publication dedicated to documenting and amplifying the movement to defend democracy against authoritarian rule. As America teeters between democracy and despotism, sparks of resistance are lighting up every sector—from courtrooms to classrooms, from the halls of Congress to protests in Germany and Australia. This week, judges are standing up to Trump’s deportation overreach, veterans are rejecting his betrayal of Afghan allies, and cracks are widening within the regime itself as Elon Musk distances himself and conservative voices like Ben Shapiro denounce Trump’s weakness on Russia. Join us in turning awareness into action as we work together toward a more just and democratic future. But first…

Daily Inspiration

A constituent at Rep. Mike Flood’s town hall in Nebraska laid out the truth of the matter--Trump and his enablers are fascists. The GOP representative couldn’t handle the truth. This, our friends, is speaking truth to power!

SOURCE

Resistance Today

Civil Society & Publics

Republican Rep. Mike Flood grilled during town hall

What happened: Republican Rep. Mike Flood faced intense questioning from constituents at a town hall, conceding that he did not read a provision in the House's "Big Beautiful Bill" before voting for it.

⬇️ Why it matters: This incident highlights the accountability and scrutiny that elected officials should face when making policy decisions, particularly those with far-reaching consequences for vulnerable populations.

ANALYSIS: What ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ teaches about resisting authoritarianism

What happened: The TV series "The Handmaid's Tale" depicts a dystopian society where women's bodies are controlled by the government, and resistance movements form to challenge the oppressive regime.

Why it matters: The show teaches us about the dangers of authoritarianism and offers lessons on how to resist such regimes, including the importance of love, courage, and recruiting allies, as well as the need for nonviolent resistance and solidarity.

Elon Musk pledges return to '24/7' work at his firms after widespread X outage

What happened: Elon Musk has pledged to return to working 24/7 at his companies after a widespread X outage impacted tens of thousands in the U.S. and around the world.

⬆️ Why it matters: This is one more in a string of reports indicating that Musk may be pulling back from his role in the Trump regime to focus on his work at Tesla and SpaceX, both of which have seen serious setbacks in recent months.

Legal & Judicial

US judge allows states' lawsuit against DOGE to proceed

What happened: A US judge allowed 14 states to move ahead with a lawsuit challenging Elon Musk's efforts to slash federal spending as part of President Donald Trump's government efficiency agency.

⬆️ Why it matters: The ruling could set a precedent that limits the power of executive branch officials, such as Musk, and ensures that their actions are subject to congressional oversight and approval.

ANALYSIS: The Way Trump’s America Most Closely Resembles 1930s Germany

What happened: The US legal system is exhibiting characteristics similar to those in Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler's rule, with the creation of a dual state where lawfulness and lawlessness coexist.

Why it matters: This phenomenon is significant because it highlights the erosion of constitutional checks and balances, as well as the growing power of the executive branch, undermining democratic institutions and individual freedoms.

Appeals Court Lets Trump Administration Continue VOA Cuts

What happened: A federal appeals court has declined to enforce a lower court order requiring the Trump regime to restore Voice of America operations, allowing the White House to continue dismantling the federally funded broadcast network.

⬇️ Why it matters: The decision allows the Trump regime to further consolidate its control over independent media outlets, undermining press freedom and constitutional protections for a free and independent press.

Exclusive | Judges Weigh Taking Control of Their Own Security Amid Threats

What happened: Judges are considering taking control of their own security due to threats from the Trump regime.

⬇️ Why it matters: This development is important because it highlights the growing concern among the judicial branch over its ability to continue operating safely as an independent branch of government.

Judge Rips Trump Administration Over Failure to Give Deportees Due Process

What happened: A Boston-based federal judge lambasted the Trump regime for misrepresenting his order and falsely attacking him over the regime's illegal effort to deport undocumented men to South Sudan without first giving them due process.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development is good news for resistance to authoritarianism, as it highlights a judge's willingness to stand up against executive branch overreach and protect the rights of vulnerable individuals.

Congress & Lawmakers

‘That’s the Way Militaries Work in Russia and China and North Korea’

What happened: Seth Moulton criticizes Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's plan to slash 20% of four-star officers and 10% of all generals and admirals, calling it a recipe for an "authoritarian military" that undermines merit-based decision-making.

⬆️ Why it matters: Though such statements are only symbolic, it remains important for Democrats in Congress to speak out, especially when avenues for official action are severely limited given their minority status in both houses.

State & Local Governments

California changes high school sports rule after Trump post over trans athlete

What happened: California's governing board for high school sports has changed its competition rules to allow more “biological girls” to participate amid controversy over the participation of a trans student athlete, following a social media post by Donald Trump that threatened to pull federal funding in California if the state did not bar trans students from participating in girls' sports.

⬇️ Why it matters: The rule change is a capitulation to Trump threats, demonstrating that threats to federal funding to even the largest states are an effective tool of authoritarian control.

Newsom backs rule change after Trump threatens to pull funding over transgender athlete

What happened: California Governor Gavin Newsom backs a rule change allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports, potentially blocking the Trump regime's plan to restrict their participation.

⬇️ Why it matters: This development, though allowing transgender athletes to compete, is still a setback as it supports the Trump regime's attempts to impose its ideology on public institutions through the use of threats and coercion.

Media & Tech

NPR sues Trump over funding cuts amid ongoing battle between administration and press

What happened: NPR sued the Trump regime for defamation after Trump falsely claimed the outlet “colluded” with Democrats to protect Biden in its reporting on his cognitive health.

⬆️ Why it matters: The lawsuit challenges Trump’s disinformation tactics and could set legal precedent against authoritarianism’s attack on independent media.

International Resistance

Caught Between Russia and the U.S., Germany Aims to Be a Stronger Force in NATO

What happened: Germany's new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is navigating a delicate test in dealing with Russia's military flexing on its eastern flank and an American president who wants NATO allies to bear more of the defense burden.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development could be seen as a positive move for resistance to authoritarianism, as Germany takes a stronger stance against Russian aggression and seeks to assert its leadership role in NATO.

Tesla's monthly sales in Europe plunge by almost 50% amid protests and backlash against Elon Musk

What happened: Tesla's monthly sales in Europe plummeted by almost 50% amid protests and backlash against Elon Musk.

⬆️ Why it matters: This decline is a positive development for resistance to authoritarian consolidation, as it reflects the public's negative reaction to Musk's far-right views and his involvement with the Trump regime.

Anti-Musk sentiment runs high in Adelaide as 95% of submissions oppose land sale to Tesla

What happened: Residents in Adelaide, Australia overwhelmingly rejected plans for a Tesla factory due to concerns over Elon Musk's influence on global discourse and the environmental impact.

⬆️ Why it matters: This rejection is good news for resistance to authoritarianism as it indicates that ordinary citizens are pushing back against the consolidation of power by individuals who pose a threat to democratic values.

Throne Speech from King Charles asserts Canada’s sovereignty, outlines plans for investments, defence

What happened: King Charles' Throne Speech asserts Canada's sovereignty and outlines plans for investments and defense.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development marks a significant rejection by the British monarch of the Trump regime’s threats to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Canada.

Resistance Tomorrow

Vulnerabilities & Exposures

SpaceX Starship Loses Control on Test Flight 9 as Rocket Re-enters Earth

What happened: SpaceX's latest Starship test flight failed during re-entry due to a propellant leak, causing the rocket to spin out of control and break apart upon atmospheric re-entry.

⬆️ Why it matters: The unsuccessful test is a setback for Elon Musk and SpaceX, negatively impacting their reputation and potentially slowing Musk’s ambitious plans, indirectly weakening support for authoritarian consolidation linked to Musk's public influence.

Elon Musk says he's "disappointed" by Trump's "big, beautiful bill" and what it means for DOGE

What happened: Elon Musk publicly criticized the Trump regime’s costly domestic policy bill for increasing the deficit and undermining his DOGE team's work.

⬆️ Why it matters: Musk's break with Trump signals internal dissent among elite backers of the regime, weakening the facade of unified support for authoritarian consolidation.

Whatever happened to Elon Musk? Tech boss drifts to margins of Trump world

What happened: Elon Musk has been sidelined from Trump regime politics amid plummeting poll numbers, legal setbacks, public backlash, and failed political investments, including a high-profile loss in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race.

⬆️ Why it matters: Musk's fall from political favor weakens a key billionaire backer of authoritarian consolidation, signaling a broader public and institutional resistance to Trump’s slash-and-burn governance.

Ben Shapiro on Russia attacking Kyiv: "This sort of both sides-ism from the Trump administration and from President Trump is the reason why Putin is pushing"

What happened: Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro sharply criticized President Trump and his regime for their "both sides-ism," explicitly linking Trump's weak stance to Russia’s escalating attacks on Kyiv.

⬆️ Why it matters: Criticism from influential conservative figures signals growing fractures within Trump’s political base, weakening his support and thereby undermining authoritarian consolidation.

U.S. prosecutors won't seek death penalty for son of Mexican drug cartel leader 'El Chapo'

What happened: U.S. prosecutors announced they will not seek the death penalty for Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of cartel leader “El Chapo,” despite multiple drug and conspiracy charges.

⬆️ Why it matters: The decision could be seen by Trump supporters as a betrayal of his promise to crack down on drug cartels who smuggle fentanyl into the United States.

White House stunned as Hegseth inquiry brings up illegal wiretap claims

What happened: A Pentagon leak investigation led by Pete Hegseth unraveled after Trump regime officials were misled by claims of an illegal NSA wiretap, exposing internal chaos and political infighting.

⬆️ Why it matters: The collapse of trust within the Trump regime and public airing of unconstitutional surveillance allegations weakens its internal cohesion and damages regime credibility.

Veterans recoil at Trump plan to end Afghans’ deportation protection

What happened: The Trump regime announced it will end deportation protections for Afghan wartime allies, provoking backlash from U.S. veterans who view the move as a betrayal of America's commitments.

⬆️ Why it matters: Trump mistreatment of veterans creates opportunities for defections from a key pillar of support, which is security forces, especially the military.