Resistance Daily Brief for 19 February 2025
Information, insight, and inspiration for resisting tyranny in America
Welcome!
Welcome to The Resistance Sentinel, a publication dedicated to documenting and amplifying the growing movement to defend democracy against authoritarian overreach. We are a small collective of researchers and analysts who have come together with a simple mission: to shine a light on the diverse forms of opposition emerging across the country, from courtrooms to city squares, from state houses to social media. While much media coverage focuses on tracking authoritarian actions, we aim to highlight the creative, determined, and often inspiring responses of citizens, institutions, and organizations working to protect democratic norms and processes.
Our daily briefings will provide carefully curated coverage of resistance activities, upcoming opportunities for engagement, and practical knowledge drawn from historical movements and contemporary best practices. We believe that resistance is most effective when it is informed, strategic, and sustained--and that documenting these efforts helps create the solidarity and courage needed for long-term success. Whether you're a seasoned activist or newly concerned citizen, we aim to provide the information, tools, and inspiration needed to participate meaningfully in this critical moment for American democracy.
Join us as we work collectively toward a more just and democratic future. Together, we can turn awareness into action.
Resistance Today
Judicial Branch
Federal Judge Denies States' Restraining Order While Questioning Musk's Role
What happened: U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected a request from 14 Democratic state attorneys general to temporarily halt DOGE's operations. While ruling against the states, she expressed serious concerns about "the unchecked authority of an unelected individual" and questioned government lawyers' claims that Musk had no decision-making authority.
Why it matters: The ruling highlights the growing tension between judicial oversight and executive power, particularly regarding Musk's anti-Constitutional role. It also highlights the judicial branch’s continuing lack of urgency to stop the existential threat that Trump poses to U.S. democracy. Recall that Trump and his lawyers successfully ran out the clock on Judge Chutkan, who presided over one of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s now-defunct cases against Trump for his role in the January 6 insurrection.
Legislative Branch
House Democrats Push to Restrict Elon Musk’s Government Role
What happened: House Democrats have launched a campaign to limit Elon Musk’s access to government data, focusing on preventing him from reviewing U.S. taxpayers' financial records. They are pressuring moderate Republicans to support legislation that would curtail Musk’s involvement in federal affairs.
Why it matters: This effort reflects growing bipartisan concerns over Musk’s influence within the government. If successful, it could help to weaken the MAGA coalition that is key to Trump and Musk’s power. The Democrats’ efforts are not so much about passing needed legislation--what Musk is doing is almost certainly already illegal--but about working to exploit emerging cracks in the MAGA coalition.
States
San Francisco Sues Trump Over Immigration Policies
https://sfstandard.com/2025/02/19/san-francisco-donald-trump-opposition-election-resistance/
What happened: San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has filed a lawsuit against Trump’s executive order that seeks to cut federal funding for sanctuary cities and criminally charge officials who do not comply with federal immigration directives.
Why it matters: This lawsuit represents a major legal battle over immigration policy and states’ rights. A ruling in favor of San Francisco could limit Trump’s ability to penalize sanctuary cities nationwide. More importantly, it demonstrates the growing willingness of states to push back against the Trump regime in the name of state’s rights, an issue more often associated with Republicans.
Public
"50501 Movement" Held Major Presidents Day Protests
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/16/nx-s1-5297117/50501-movement-presidents-day-protests-explainer
What happened: A nationwide protest movement, born on Reddit, is organizing demonstrations across multiple states on Presidents Day. The movement demands Trump's removal, investigation of Musk's role, and restoration of eliminated DEI initiatives.
Why it matters: This represents the second major coordinated protest by the 50501 Movement, showing growing grassroots opposition to the administration's policies and Musk's influence.
Protests Against Trump and Musk Spread to…Everywhere
https://newrepublic.com/article/191624/elon-musk-stonewall-protest-tesla
What happened: Protests against Trump and Musk have spread beyond Washington, D.C., targeting Tesla dealerships and other sites tied to their influence. Activists rallied at the Stonewall National Monument after transgender history was erased from its website and staged decentralized demonstrations nationwide, linking Musk’s business empire to his government role.
Why it matters: This shift signals a move from single-day mass protests to sustained, localized resistance. By targeting both government policies and corporate influence, activists are adapting their strategies to counter the broad reach of Trump and Musk’s agenda.
Anti-Nazi Activists Threaten to Vandalize Tesla Vehicles
https://ground.news/article/threatening-letters-left-on-arcata-tesla-owners-cars_db1574
What happened: An anonymous group calling itself SANE (Students Against Nazi Extremists) has issued threats to Tesla owners in multiple California cities, warning them to sell or trade their vehicles before February 12 or face vandalism. The group distributed fliers denouncing Tesla CEO Elon Musk as a fascist and racist. Local authorities are investigating and urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
Why it matters: This escalation in anti-Musk activism highlights growing tensions over his perceived political influence. The threats raise concerns about the radicalization of protest tactics and potential legal consequences for those involved.
International
Italy Announces Alternative to Musk's Starlink
What happened: Italy's Industry Minister announced plans to develop a national low-orbit satellite system, reversing course on earlier plans to use Starlink for government communications. The project will involve "main national players" though specifics on timeline and participants weren't disclosed.
Why it matters: The decision signals growing European resistance to Musk's influence in critical infrastructure, despite his close ties to Italy's PM Meloni and a potential €1.5B Starlink deal. Growing international economic pressure on Musk’s companies are a positive development that can assist in countering his anti-Constitutional power grab.
Organized Opportunities
Progressive Groups Launch Multi-State Protest Campaign
What happened: Three major progressive organizations - Indivisible, MoveOn, and the Working Families Party - are coordinating protests targeting both Republican and Democratic lawmakers during the congressional recess. MoveOn, with nearly 10 million members, is focusing on “persuadable House Republicans.”
Why it matters: The coordinated effort shows increasing pressure on legislators from both parties to oppose the Trump-Musk agenda, with protesters specifically targeting vulnerable Republicans in key states.
See also “The anti-Musk protest movement is expected to ramp up with Congress on recess,” https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-02-17/the-anti-musk-protest-movement-is-expected-to-ramp-up-with-congress-on-recess
Make Your Voice Heard by Adding Public Comments to Proposed Changes in Passports for Transgender Americans
What’s happening:
Why it matters:
Organizations Planning Regular Resistance Actions
Federal Unionists Network - https://actionnetwork.org/groups/federal-unionists-network
Indivisible - https://indivisible.org/
5051 - https://www.fiftyfifty.one/
MAGA Regime CVEs
In cybersecurity, CVEs are “common vulnerabilities and exposures.” These are the cracks in the system that adversaries exploit for their own ends. Political CVEs are those cracks in an authoritarian regime, points of vulnerability that can be exposed and exploited by defenders of democracy.
Former Vice President Mike Pence Hits Back at Trump for Capitulating to Putin and Abandoning Ukraine
What happened:
https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1892271536394162229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Why it matters: Any rifts in the ruling coalition provide opportunities for the resistance to amplify or exacerbate tensions among ruling party factions, diminishing the regime’s effectiveness and base of support. Be on the lookout for such vulnerabilities and opportunities to exploit them in any way you can.
Senator Tom Cotton Opposes Trump’s Defense Nominee
What happened: Senator Tom Cotton has expressed reservations about Trump’s nominee for under secretary of defense for policy, Elbridge Colby. Cotton is concerned about Colby’s views on nuclear policy and Iran, signaling a potential confirmation battle.
Why it matters: This opposition highlights internal divisions within Trump’s Republican allies on key national security appointments. It also suggests that some senators are willing to push back on Trump’s preferred picks for major defense roles.
Senate Republicans Advance Border Bill Despite Trump’s Objections
What happened: Senate Republicans are moving forward with a border security bill that differs from the comprehensive plan preferred by Donald Trump. The bill focuses narrowly on immigration, while Trump wants a package that includes tax cuts, defense funding, and energy policy changes.
Why it matters: This legislative split highlights growing tensions between Trump and Republican lawmakers. It suggests that some GOP members are willing to break from Trump’s agenda, which could negatively shape party dynamics in the months ahead.
Resistance School
What happened:
Why it matters: Professor Clymer is right. In his influential work on how to effectively resist autocratic government, From Dictatorship to Democracy, Dr. Gene Sharp strongly advises against relying on negotiation with the autocrat as a way of securing democracy. Why? Democracy is not something over which you negotiate. You negotiate over labor disputes or the price of a car, not over the fundamental structure of the government laid out in the Constitution, nor about peoples’ fundamental rights. Second, power dynamics work against the democratic opposition. In out case, Trump and his party hold all the power. Without a powerful democratic opposition, negotiations simply help dictators legitimize their rule. Finally, autocrats lie. This is especially the case for Trump. Autocrats will promise anything to hold on to power and then violate their promises just as quickly as they made them.
What is to be done? Success against autocrats comes through resistance, not negotiation. Political defiance and nonviolent struggle are more effective tools. Democratic forces need to build their power through sustained, organized resistance. Only after the autocratic government is severely weakened through resistance might negotiations be appropriate. The only proper role for negotiations may be at the very end to arrange the autocrat’s departure.
Gene Sharp, From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation, (Boston, MA: The Albert Einstein Institution, 2010). PDF
Daily Inspiration
Inspiring Images and Clever Protest SIgns from “Not My President’s Day” Events Across the Country This Week
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2025/02/thousands-gather-protest-against-trump-musk/681721/
What happened: On Presidents Day 2025, thousands of protesters across the U.S. participated in "Not My President's Day" demonstrations to oppose President Donald Trump and his administration's policies. Organized by the grassroots 50501 Movement, protests occurred in all 50 states, targeting issues like immigration crackdowns, transgender rights rollbacks, and federal spending cuts. Protesters also criticized Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency. Demonstrations featured chants like "Defend the Constitution" and "Stop the coup," with peaceful marches in cities like Washington, D.C., and New York City, though some clashes with police occurred in Portland.
Why it matters: The protests highlight growing resistance to what many perceive as authoritarian tendencies in Trump's administration, such as executive overreach and policies undermining democratic norms. By mobilizing nationwide, these demonstrations underscore the importance of civil society's role in holding governments accountable and defending constitutional principles against perceived threats to democracy.
High School Students Win State Theater Award for Play Satirizing Censorship
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13971920/santa-rosa-artquest-censorship-lenaea-festival
What happened: After their school district canceled a play for "unsuitable" content, Santa Rosa High School students fought back by writing [REDACTED], a satirical musical about censorship. Despite continued administrative oversight, they performed the play at the statewide Lenaea Festival—where it won the prestigious Spirit of Lenaea Award, along with 12 other honors.
Why it matters: This victory highlights the power of student activism against censorship. By turning their experience into art, these students not only challenged school policies but also received statewide recognition, highlighting the important role of theater and art as tools for resistance and the power of everyday acts of defiance in the face of oppression. If these students can stand up, so can the rest of us.
Former NFL Punter Chris Kluwe Arrested for Protest at City Council Meeting
What happened: Chris Kluwe, former NFL punter and outspoken activist, was arrested at a Huntington Beach City Council meeting after protesting a library plaque that discreetly spelled out "MAGA" using the words “Magical,” “Alluring,” “Galvanizing,” and “Adventurous.” During public comments, Kluwe called the MAGA movement “a Nazi movement” and engaged in civil disobedience before being removed and arrested for disrupting an assembly. He was released after four hours in custody.
Why it matters: Kluwe's arrest underscores ongoing political tensions over public spaces being used for ideological messaging. It is also an example of the kind of individual acts of defiance and courage that are key to inspiring others to act too. Courage is contagious.
ICE Prosecutor Identified as Operator of Racist, Pro-Fascist Social Media Account
https://www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecutor-dallas-white-supremacist-x-account/
What happened: An investigation by the Texas Observer identified James Rodden, an ICE Assistant Chief Counsel in Dallas, as the operator of the extremist social media account GlomarResponder. The account, active since 2012, has posted racist, xenophobic, and pro-fascist content, including violent rhetoric against immigrants. Using open-source intelligence methods, journalists matched biographical details, court records, and social media activity to confirm Rodden’s identity. ICE has not confirmed his employment but says it is investigating.
Why it matters: This case highlights the power of open-source intelligence (OSINT) and investigative journalism in exposing government officials who use their positions to further extremist agendas. Transparency is essential to undermining authoritarian regimes who prefer to violate civil rights and engage in corrupt behavior under a veil of secrecy. You too can assist in these efforts! Stay curious, scrutinize inconsistencies, and conduct your own investigations when something seems off—because uncovering the truth starts with asking the right questions. In future issues, we will provide more instruction on how to go about doing this in an ethical and effective way. Stay tuned.
Excellent..thank you for doing this. I hope this newsletter grows. I was referred to it on Greg Olear’s Prevail.
Wow, this was fantastic. Taking in the events with a spot of hope. Something I have been missing. Thank you!