the leaders are AOC, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker and Hakim Jefferies. The core message is that the government exists to preserve, protect and promote life in America
Norm mentioned that lawyers working for Schumer and Jeffries (Senate and House Democratic leadership) were participating in some of the lawsuits. I think there are a lot of things going on, not all of which are highly visible.
Barbara, this clarifies the lawsuit by Schumer and Jeffries and many others against Trump's executive order: Democrats challenge Trump’s attempt to violate the Constitution and multiple federal laws, and attack the rights of married women, members of the military, and mail voters. An excerpt:
"In response to Trump’s illegal Executive Order that attempts to suppress voters, upend voter registration systems and hand over sensitive information to DOGE, stop states from counting eligible mail ballots, and withhold federal election funding from dozens of states in the process, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Governors Association (DGA), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and Democratic Senate and House leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, have sued President Trump, DOGE, and other departments within the Trump Administration in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block this order." https://democrats.org/news/democratic-committees-leaders-schumer-and-jeffries-file-lawsuit-to-block-trumps-executive-order-to-undermine-elections/
Best $7 dollars a month ever. I was telling people at church about you folks. I know 80%+ of white evangelicals voted for Trump but only 37% of Episcopalians did (BTW if you have not seen Heather Cox Richardson's speech at Old North in Boston last Friday well worth a watch). When you live in a very blue state it is not always clear what to do. My answer to some folks at coffee hour the "Contrarians". Keep on fighting.
I agree about the $7 and I 2nd your recommendation of Heather Cox Richardson. Her daily letters provide so much clarity about what is happening right now.
It's so great that he's losing all these cases (thank you all), but we must also focus on elections. That's clearly what Republicans are counting on to keep them in power. They know Trump's numbers are sinking and under normal circumstances they'd defect, but Republicans are conspiring on both the federal and state level to interfere with voting. I think election interference, particularly on the state level, is THE issue of our time and should get more coverage. TY fellow contrarians.
That is why the election case win here is important, but I agree that we have multiple election battles in court ahead. I support Marc Elias at Democracy Docket, as election litigation and education about it is the main focus.
What can be done all along the way from now through post elections, and continually for that matter, to ensure that elections proceed fairly as they are supposed to do and that there is no fraud in any form to alter results and reporting of results?
I think you are asking the right question and I don't know the answer, but for starters perhaps The Contrarian can interview people with expertise in managing elections so at least we can begin to understand what we can do to protect the process?
I’m sorry to interrupt the self-congratulating festivities but I simply do not understand all the joy and rapture about legal wins that are NOT being enforced by our fascist Attorney General.
The entire Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the DOJ MUST facilitate Albrego Garcia’s return from El Salvador.
So when did this happen? Did Garcia arrive back home and I missed it? What about the others? What about “DOGE”? What about USAID? What about the piles of all the other illegal, unconstitutional actions? When did they get reversed?
I don’t get lawyers patting themselves on the back about judgments that aren’t being executed. What bailiff is going to March into Pam Bondi’s office and escort her out in manacles?
I really understand what you are saying and sympathize with it. On the other hand, these wins in court help me to keep up hope and to stay engaged. They also bring attention to the issues. Just as Norm says, 80% of us believe Trump must follow Supreme Court decisions. The more he does not do that, the more people will rise up, and the Republicans in Congress will be more pressed to act.
Lots of "good news" but really? There has already been incredible damage to the U.S. and to U.S. Allies and to other countries. NO ONE in any country in the future can really count on any U.S. leader's or president's agreements when they can be completely un-done by the next administration.
Your enthusiasm is commendable, but please don’t lose sight of the fact that we are suffering under a lawless, unethical, cruel regime and legal wins are not fixing the profound dismantling of our government and democracy. USIAID is gone, people are dying unnecessarily. The most authentic moment in this video, for me, was Norm talking about the frog in boiling water.
The big dope. Just because he scrawls that hideous signature of his on a slip of paper he can't unilaterally make up laws or end old ones. What an idiot. Republican constituents need to keep pressuring their representatives in Congress to keep enabling this creep.
Thank you guys! I am 73 and spend a good deal of my time doing volunteer work. One of my projects is as a "trail adopter" for the Appalachian Mountain Club in the New Hampshire white mountains. Every summer we have kids from AmeraCorps help us build and maintain trails throught NH. Without these programs our citizens would not have the experience of being safely able to traverse our lands throughout our national parks and state systems.
Proud to be a dues-paying Contrarian. Thanks to Jen and Norm for starting this Substack. You're doing incredible work.
Me too! ❤️🦉✊
Same here! So delighted to be able to help from Australia. Elbows and flippers up!
Same here from Canada! Let’s help save democracy!
Agreed!!
We can celebrate but keep on the pressure. Don’t let up!!! Thank you!
No Quarter.
Democrats need to secure a leader and a core message and start focusing on the midterms. They are rudderless. Thanks guys!
the leaders are AOC, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker and Hakim Jefferies. The core message is that the government exists to preserve, protect and promote life in America
Don't forget Pete Buttegeig and Chris Murphy.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen; Sen. Chris Murphy
And Jamie Raskin.
Jasmine Crockett!!
Great point, William! Thanks for pointing that out!
Norm mentioned that lawyers working for Schumer and Jeffries (Senate and House Democratic leadership) were participating in some of the lawsuits. I think there are a lot of things going on, not all of which are highly visible.
Barbara, this clarifies the lawsuit by Schumer and Jeffries and many others against Trump's executive order: Democrats challenge Trump’s attempt to violate the Constitution and multiple federal laws, and attack the rights of married women, members of the military, and mail voters. An excerpt:
"In response to Trump’s illegal Executive Order that attempts to suppress voters, upend voter registration systems and hand over sensitive information to DOGE, stop states from counting eligible mail ballots, and withhold federal election funding from dozens of states in the process, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Governors Association (DGA), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and Democratic Senate and House leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, have sued President Trump, DOGE, and other departments within the Trump Administration in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block this order." https://democrats.org/news/democratic-committees-leaders-schumer-and-jeffries-file-lawsuit-to-block-trumps-executive-order-to-undermine-elections/
Exactly! It takes many kinds of action by many people. Not all will be in the spotlight, but all contribute.
There are a lot of decent dems.
Funny, given only 20% of us bother to vote in primaries. Our failures are our own fault.
Best $7 dollars a month ever. I was telling people at church about you folks. I know 80%+ of white evangelicals voted for Trump but only 37% of Episcopalians did (BTW if you have not seen Heather Cox Richardson's speech at Old North in Boston last Friday well worth a watch). When you live in a very blue state it is not always clear what to do. My answer to some folks at coffee hour the "Contrarians". Keep on fighting.
I agree about the $7 and I 2nd your recommendation of Heather Cox Richardson. Her daily letters provide so much clarity about what is happening right now.
She’s my BFF!!!!!
That speech was wonderful. HCR is a national treasure!
It's so great that he's losing all these cases (thank you all), but we must also focus on elections. That's clearly what Republicans are counting on to keep them in power. They know Trump's numbers are sinking and under normal circumstances they'd defect, but Republicans are conspiring on both the federal and state level to interfere with voting. I think election interference, particularly on the state level, is THE issue of our time and should get more coverage. TY fellow contrarians.
That is why the election case win here is important, but I agree that we have multiple election battles in court ahead. I support Marc Elias at Democracy Docket, as election litigation and education about it is the main focus.
What can be done all along the way from now through post elections, and continually for that matter, to ensure that elections proceed fairly as they are supposed to do and that there is no fraud in any form to alter results and reporting of results?
I think you are asking the right question and I don't know the answer, but for starters perhaps The Contrarian can interview people with expertise in managing elections so at least we can begin to understand what we can do to protect the process?
Thanks for sharing your good suggestion, BosPhotoGuy.
Lastest example if Pennsylvania
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/25/dnc-steps-into-voting-rights-fight-in-pennsylvania-00309193
We thank you both❤️
Jen and Norm. You are so worth my contribution. Thank you.
The judicial wins are great, but how worried should we be about the move by Congress to limit judicial ability to stop Trump's EOs nationwide?
Thank you for all you both do‼️
I still can't believe that people are supporting Trump.
Agree! Based on all of the illegal and unconstitutional actions he has taken, his approval should be much lower than it is.
Of course, these supporters didn't blink an eye when he led an insurrection.
I’m sorry to interrupt the self-congratulating festivities but I simply do not understand all the joy and rapture about legal wins that are NOT being enforced by our fascist Attorney General.
The entire Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the DOJ MUST facilitate Albrego Garcia’s return from El Salvador.
So when did this happen? Did Garcia arrive back home and I missed it? What about the others? What about “DOGE”? What about USAID? What about the piles of all the other illegal, unconstitutional actions? When did they get reversed?
I don’t get lawyers patting themselves on the back about judgments that aren’t being executed. What bailiff is going to March into Pam Bondi’s office and escort her out in manacles?
I really understand what you are saying and sympathize with it. On the other hand, these wins in court help me to keep up hope and to stay engaged. They also bring attention to the issues. Just as Norm says, 80% of us believe Trump must follow Supreme Court decisions. The more he does not do that, the more people will rise up, and the Republicans in Congress will be more pressed to act.
Thank you for all you do, Norm and Jen!! ❤️❤️❤️
Lots of "good news" but really? There has already been incredible damage to the U.S. and to U.S. Allies and to other countries. NO ONE in any country in the future can really count on any U.S. leader's or president's agreements when they can be completely un-done by the next administration.
Your enthusiasm is commendable, but please don’t lose sight of the fact that we are suffering under a lawless, unethical, cruel regime and legal wins are not fixing the profound dismantling of our government and democracy. USIAID is gone, people are dying unnecessarily. The most authentic moment in this video, for me, was Norm talking about the frog in boiling water.
The big dope. Just because he scrawls that hideous signature of his on a slip of paper he can't unilaterally make up laws or end old ones. What an idiot. Republican constituents need to keep pressuring their representatives in Congress to keep enabling this creep.
Thank you guys! I am 73 and spend a good deal of my time doing volunteer work. One of my projects is as a "trail adopter" for the Appalachian Mountain Club in the New Hampshire white mountains. Every summer we have kids from AmeraCorps help us build and maintain trails throught NH. Without these programs our citizens would not have the experience of being safely able to traverse our lands throughout our national parks and state systems.