Musk Quits, Trump Allies Revolt & Veterans Plan D-Day March - Resistance Brief for 2 June 2025

Information, insight, and inspiration for resisting tyranny in America

Jun 02, 2025

Welcome!

Welcome to The Resistance Sentinel, a publication dedicated to documenting and amplifying the movement to defend democracy against authoritarian rule. Elon Musk abruptly departs Trump’s administration, leaving the regime reeling and exposed. Meanwhile, powerful economic boycotts see major corporations shunning regime-aligned law firms, and judicial actions continue to check Trump’s aggressive deportation policies. From fiery town halls where Republicans are loudly confronted by fed-up constituents, to veterans mobilizing in defense of democracy, Americans continue to resist regime consolidation. But it’s not all wins! As always, to get a fuller picture of both sides of this fight, we recommend subscribing also to Olga Lautman’s Trump Tyranny Tracker. Though not affiliated at all, we rely on Olga’s work to keep us informed and were inspired to create a similar publication focused on the resistance. Join us in turning awareness into action as we work together toward a more just and democratic future. But first…

Daily Inspiration

If you haven’t already, take some time to watch Scott Pelley’s commencement speech to Wake Forest University graduates. Despite his network and his show, 60 Minutes, being under fire from the Trump regime, Pelley nonetheless spoke out for democracy and warned of the threat that Trump poses.

Resistance Today

Civil Society & Publics

Major companies abandon law firms that signed deals with Trump: report

What happened: Major companies are abandoning law firms that signed deals with the Trump regime due to financial stress and reputational repercussions.

⬆️ Why it matters: Companies choosing to work with lawyers who "who don't run from a fight" suggests a growing resistance to authoritarian consolidation and is another example of economic noncooperation as resistance.

Elon Musk leaving Trump administration, capping turbulent tenure

What happened: Elon Musk is leaving the Trump regime's administration after a tumultuous tenure, marking a significant loss for President Trump.

⬆️ Why it matters: Musk’s departure is a good sign that economic noncooperation can have an impact on the regime and its most powerful supporters. It also signals internal fissures among the regime elites.

Jewish organizers are increasingly confronting Trump: ‘The repression is growing, but so is the resistance’

What happened: Jewish students, faculty, and alumni are pushing back against the exploitation of antisemitism charges to justify repressive policies by the Trump regime, organizing protests, rallies, and letter-writing campaigns, and mobilizing against detention and deportation of pro-Palestinian students.

⬆️ Why it matters: This growing resistance among Jewish Americans is crucial as it highlights their ability to challenge and resist the Trump regime’s normalization of authoritarian consolidation in their name.

Trump administration reverses planned closures of 3 dozen US mine safety offices

What happened: The Trump regime has dropped plans to terminate leases for 34 offices in the Mine Safety and Health Administration, a move that would have required inspectors to travel farther to get to mines.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development is good news for resistance to authoritarianism as it prevents further erosion of critical government agencies responsible for enforcing labor laws and protecting workers' safety and demonstrates that pressure on the regime can work to change its course in some instances.

New Jersey’s movement against ICE detention is not going away

What happened: Activists in New Jersey are organizing daily vigils outside a new ICE detention center, Delaney Hall, amidst the efforts to expand the facility's presence in the state where immigrant rights organizations have been fighting against immigrant detention since 1994.

⬆️ Why it matters: The growing movement against Delaney Hall is an important example of resistance against authoritarian consolidation and serves as a national galvanizing force against immigrant detention, demonstrating that local fights can mobilize people nationally.

This campaign against deportation flights shows how to target companies enabling Trump

What happened: A campaign against deportation flights by pro-immigrant activists in Connecticut targeted companies enabling Trump's policies, undermining support among elected officials, the state's attorney general, and the company's public image.

⬆️ Why it matters: This strategy of targeting multiple pillars of support for key decisionmakers can be a powerful tool for resistance to authoritarianism, allowing organizers to reshape the political calculus and force decisionmakers to weigh the full cost of siding against marginalized communities.

GOP senator says ‘we’re all going to die’ under fire over Medicaid cuts

What happened: Republican Sen. Joni Ernst warned her constituents that the proposed Medicaid cuts could result in people dying due to lack of health coverage.

⬆️ Why it matters: Ernst was met with boos and jeers after her comment and became the focus of the national media spotlight for her seeming heatlessness. This is an example of the kind of rhetorical backfire that can help the resistance cause if identified and capitalized on early.

It’s Happening Again: Town Hall Crowd Boos GOP Rep for Backing Trump

What happened: A crowd at a town hall event in Iowa boos Representative Ashley Hinson for backing President Trump's policies, with some even calling her a liar.

⬆️ Why it matters: This incident highlights the growing public backlash against Trump's policies and the willingness of his own supporters to question and challenge them.

Bureaucratic & Executive

Unease at F.B.I. Intensifies as Patel Ousts Top Officials

What happened: The FBI has been undergoing significant changes under the leadership of Director Kash Patel and Deputy Dan Bongino, including the forced removal or demotion of top officials, the disbanding of its elite corruption squad, and the increased use of polygraph tests to intimidate employees.

⬇️ Why it matters: This consolidation of power within the FBI is a worrying development that undermines the agency's independence and threatens national security and democratic resistance.

Trump’s tariffs can continue for now, appeals court rules

What happened: A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated President Trump’s tariffs after a lower court ruled them illegal, allowing their enforcement to continue during the administration’s appeal.

⬇️ Why it matters: This decision permits the Trump administration to maintain controversial trade policies that expand executive power, potentially undermining constitutional checks and balances.

Appeals court keeps block on Trump administration's downsizing of federal workforce

What happened: An appeals court has upheld a block on the Trump regime's downsizing of the federal workforce, keeping cuts on hold while a lawsuit plays out.

⬆️ Why it matters: This decision is good news for those opposing authoritarian consolidation, as it limits the Trump regime's ability to reduce the size and scope of government, at least for now

US Supreme Court lets Trump revoke humanitarian legal status for migrants

What happened: The US Supreme Court let President Trump's regime revoke the humanitarian legal status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian, and Nicaraguan migrants living in the United States.

⬇️ Why it matters: This decision bolsters Trump's drive to step up deportations, potentially exposing many of these migrants to rapid removal, which could have devastating consequences for their lives and livelihoods.

22 young Americans sue Trump on climate actions: ‘A death sentence for my generation’

What happened: A group of 22 young Americans have filed a lawsuit against the Trump regime over executive orders they claim will promote climate change and threaten their health and futures.

⬆️ Why it matters: This lawsuit is an example young Americans taking bold action to challenge the Trump regime's climate policies and assert their constitutional rights. It further adds to the legal woes for the regime.

Judge Allows Harvard to Keep Enrolling Foreign Students for Now

What happened: A judge has ruled to allow Harvard University to continue enrolling foreign students for the time being.

⬆️ Why it matters: This ruling is another judicial blow to the regime’s illegal executive actions targeting institutions that resist.

Judge Says Government Should Release Russian Scientist

What happened: A federal judge has ruled that the government should release Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist employed by Harvard University, who was detained on immigration charges stemming from her failure to declare scientific samples she carried into the country.

⬆️ Why it matters: This decision marks a positive development for individuals who are caught in the web of the Trump regime's deportation policies and highlights a growing trend of judicial scrutiny against such actions.

Judge says Trump’s bid to deport Mahmoud Khalil is unconstitutional

What happened: A US judge has ruled that the Trump regime's bid to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and legal resident, is likely unconstitutional due to the vagueness of a law granting the Secretary of State the power to seek deportation based on foreign policy concerns.

⬆️ Why it matters: This ruling marks yet another legal setback for the regime, which is racking up court loses in unprecedented fashion.

Trump’s Stunning Streak of Losses in Lower Courts

What happened: President Trump's team has lost 96% of rulings in federal district courts so far this month, according to an analysis by Adam Bonica.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development is good news for resistance to authoritarianism as it indicates the lower courts are pushing back against Trump regime's attempts to consolidate executive power and undermine constitutional freedoms.

Judge Says Musk Must Face Lawsuit Over His Role In DOGE

What happened: A federal judge has ruled that Elon Musk must face lawsuits over his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), finding that his position as head of DOGE is unconstitutional under the Appointments Clause of the Constitution.

⬆️ Why it matters: This ruling is a significant blow to efforts to consolidate power and limit accountability, as it suggests that the executive branch cannot unilaterally create new agencies and appoint officials without Senate confirmation.

Congress & Lawmakers

House Democrat launches investigation of Trump’s meme coin dinner

What happened: A top House Democrat launched an investigation into President Donald Trump's private dinner for investors in his meme coin, citing ethical and legal concerns.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development is significant as it highlights the Democratic Party's growing focus on holding the Trump regime accountable for its alleged misuse of power and exploitation of its position to profit from its crypto venture.

Tom Homan Calls AOC’s Bluff Over Charged Representative

What happened: Tom Homan bragged that Democratic lawmakers haven't done anything to stop the prosecution of Representative LaMonica McIver, which he claims is pushing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's buttons.

⬇️ Why it matters: This development suggests a lack of collective action among Democrats against Trump regime-backed efforts to silence and intimidate their colleagues, contributing to authoritarian consolidation.

AOC viewed positively by more Americans than Trump or Harris, poll finds

What happened: Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is viewed positively by more Americans than President Donald Trump or former Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a new poll.

⬆️ Why it matters: This finding suggests that Ocasio-Cortez's popularity may indicate a shift in public opinion against authoritarian consolidation and the Trump regime, which could potentially undermine their hold on power.

States sue over Trump cuts to research funding, STEM diversity efforts

What happened: A group of 16 US states filed a lawsuit to block President Trump's regime from making massive cuts to federal funding for scientific research and diversity programs in STEM fields.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development is good news, as it challenges the Trump regime's efforts to cut vital research funding and diversity initiatives that could harm the country's position as a global leader in STEM research.

Tim Walz Tells Democrats to 'Be Meaner,' Calls Trump 'Cruel'

What happened: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz calls for Democrats to be "meaner" in pushing back against President Trump's authoritarian consolidation, labeling him a "wannabe dictator."

⬆️ Why it matters: This statement is good news for resistance to authoritarianism as it signals that at least some Democratic leaders are willing to adopt a more confrontational approach to counter the growing power of Trump and his regime.

Trump considers pardoning group who plotted to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

What happened: President Donald Trump is considering pardoning the extremists convicted in the failed plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

⬇️ Why it matters: This development demonstrates the regime’s continued willingness to excuse or even condone political violence and threats against its opponents, while also showing once again that making nice the with Trump, as Whitmer has attempted to do, is no guarantee of safety.

Media & Tech

Scott Pelley Warns Graduates About the Threats to American Democracy

What happened: Scott Pelley warns graduates about the threats to American democracy, citing examples from history such as George Orwell's warning against "newspeak" and the importance of speaking truth in the face of power.

⬆️ Why it matters: Pelley, though his show, 60 Minutes, has been the target of Trump’s ire, demonstrates the courage to speak out for truth and founding American principles. He should be an example to others in the media industry.

International Resistance

Trump sparks Europe’s ‘new Enlightenment’

What happened: Trump's war on American universities has sparked a backlash across Europe, with many countries condemning his stance as an attack on free speech and academic freedom.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development is good news for resistance to authoritarianism because it highlights the European public's strong opposition to Trump's aggressive posture against universities, which could embolden similar movements against authoritarian consolidation.

'The American dream is over': Trump's deportation policies are pushing Latin Americans to Spain

What happened: The Trump regime's deportation policies are causing Latin Americans to lose hope in the US dream, leading many to seek asylum in Spain due to its easier entry point, more lenient laws, and lack of xenophobic policies.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development indicates a possible shift away from authoritarianism as Latin Americans turn to European countries like Spain for refuge, potentially weakening Trump's consolidation of power in the US. Mass migration and the “brain drain” that comes with it are themselves forms of resistance.

EU readying 'countermeasures' if tariffs deal with US crumbles

What happened: The European Union is preparing "countermeasures," including tariffs, in response to the Trump regime's surprise 50% tariff on steel imports.

⬆️ Why it matters: This development could be a sign of resistance to the consolidation of authoritarian power in the United States, as the EU pushes back against what it sees as an attempt to impose punitive trade policies.

Trump-backed nationalist clinches Poland’s presidency

What happened: A Trump-backed nationalist has clinched Poland’s presidency in a tight run-off race. American DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stumped for the winner just last week.

⬇️ Why it matters: This development suggests the consolidation of authoritarian power in Eastern Europe, as President Andrzej Duda's successor, Karol Nawrocki, has taken a critical stance towards Ukraine and is likely to deliver setbacks to EU reforms.

Resistance Tomorrow

Vulnerabilities & Exposures

A Fiery Brief Fueled by Conservatives Helped Put Trump’s Tariffs in Peril

What happened: A group of conservative and libertarian lawyers, scholars, and former officials signed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of a challenge to Trump's tariffs, signaling a deepening rift between President Trump and the conservative legal movement.

⬆️ Why it matters: The brief marks an important rift in the regime’s base of support, namely the network of conservative legal scholars and think tanks.

Why Trump Is Mad at the ‘Sleazebag’ Leonard Leo

What happened: President Trump criticized Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society after a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of International Trade rejected his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to grant himself expansive tariff authority.

⬆️ Why it matters: This criticism highlights Trump's frustration with conservative judges, such as those appointed by him, who have ruled against his policies and practices, underscoring the tension between Trump's demands and the principles of even his own appointees to the judiciary.

US marine veteran takes a stand against Trump: ‘He’s tearing the country apart’

What happened: A US marine veteran, Morgan Akin, has taken a stand against the Trump regime by removing the American flag from his home and joining protests against it, reflecting his growing disapproval of the country's direction.

⬆️ Why it matters: This act is just one in a growing number of similar acts by veterans across the nation who see Trump as betraying the sacrifices they made. Regime loss of support from veterans and, potentially, active members of the military could undermine a key pillar of support.

Actions This Week

🇺🇸 Veterans Are Mobilizing Against Authoritarianism

🪖 Unite4Veterans and FiftyFifty’s Veterans Project are organizing military veterans to stand up for democracy, truth, and the Constitution. With Trump’s authoritarian agenda threatening core American values, these organizations are uniting those who swore an oath to defend the country—this time from domestic tyranny.

Learn more & get involved in the fight: