After millions of Americans participated in the No Kings Day marches last week, it is important to recognize and celebrate the multiple wins for democracy in the news lately.
Over 7 million Americans — and supporters around the world — expressed their free speech in over 2,700 marches celebrating No Kings Day on Saturday. It was my first as I decided to get involved and do my part to stand up for democracy for our kids and grandkids. Marching with millions of others who love their country is certainly something to celebrate.
Many federal courts are doing their part to enforce constitutional law. Three judges from the Seventh Circuit Court, including two Republican appointees, kept in place a federal district court’s decision barring National Guard deployments to Illinois. According to the ruling, “A protest does not become a rebellion merely because the protestors advocate for myriad legal or policy changes, are well organized, call for significant changes to the structure of the U.S. government, use civil disobedience as a form of protest, or exercise their Second Amendment right to carry firearms as the law currently allows.”
The ruling concluded that the Trump administration’s claim of a “rebellion” in Chicago, which supposedly justified deploying federal troops, doesn’t hold up under the definition of rebellion or the principles of the U.S. Constitution. This marks a clear victory for democracy and free speech in America.
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Trump’s appeal to deploy the troops to Chicago. Significantly, however, it declined Trump’s request to stay the circuit court ruling — or put it on hold until the Supreme Court could decide the case — preventing Trump from deploying the troops immediately.
While Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson tried to say that those of us involved in the No Kings Day marches “hate America,” are “pro-Hamas” and are “rabid,” I think he needs to read the above-mentioned opinion by the Seventh Circuit Court and remind himself that America was built on protests against the King of England. He should also read the Constitution.
Admiral Alvin Holsey, head of the U.S. military’s Southern Command, where the U.S. military is conducting military attacks on boats off the coast of Venezuela, announced on Thursday that he is stepping down and retiring early. While he did not give a reason, many in the media suspect it has to do with Trump’s illegal attacks on civilian boats there.
Trump says that these boats are smuggling drugs to America. First, he has not provided evidence to back up his claims. Second, the closest point from Venezuela to an American shoreline is 1,350 miles away in Miami. Third, Trump is murdering people without due process, disrespecting the government and citizens of Venezuela.
Venezuela, however, is a distraction from Trump’s capitulation to the wishes of Vladimir Putin, who requested that Trump not give long-range missiles to Ukraine, which he was considering, but changed his mind after speaking with Putin by phone.
I submit that the war in Ukraine would quickly end if Trump were as strong with Russia as he is with Chicago, Portland and Venezuela. What does Putin have on him? Must be big!
Admiral Holsey’s resignation is a win for democracy because it highlights that some high-ranking officials, even among the military brass, are standing up for due process and the rule of law. By stepping down, Admiral Holsey is refusing an illegal order, and we honor his service.
A big win for the free press is the walkout from the Pentagon by almost all reporters assigned to the Defense Department, protesting new restrictions imposed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. As stated by The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, “Rarely, if ever, have we witnessed such a unified protest from journalists. Americans, at least those who believe in the First Amendment, should be proud.”
We are proud. And a rare thank you to Fox News, former home of Hegseth, for joining the walkout.
Last week, the University of Virginia became the fifth school out of nine to say “No!” to Trump’s offer of preferential funding treatment if they agree to a list of requirements limiting student speech and other unconstitutional demands. Basically, these universities are being blackmailed for federal funding. As a Virginia graduate, I am proud to see Virginia standing up for freedom. I hope other universities remain true to their mission and do the same.
Included in the contracts that Trump wanted the universities to agree to was “the promotion of conservative views on campus.” Sounds like indoctrination to me. I thought Republicans were against indoctrination.
Vice President JD Vance says that praising Adolf Hitler and making racist and antisemitic comments online is what “kids do.” He made these statements after being asked about hundreds of inappropriate comments from Republican officials on Telegram group chats that were exposed by Politico this past week. The Kansas Young Republicans’ vice chair used the N-word and other variations of the racial slur more than a dozen times. The vice chair of the New York State Young Republicans referred to rape as “epic.” One member of the chat worked for Trump in the Small Business Administration. Another was Vermont State Senator Samuel Douglass, until he was forced to step down. The chair of the New York Young Republicans, Peter Giunta, wrote on the chat, “I love Hitler.” And the list goes on.
The age of the officials ranged from 18 to 40 years, yet Vance responded that “the reality is that kids do stupid things. Especially young boys, they tell edgy, offensive jokes. Like, that’s what kids do.”
Kids? Young boys? If Republicans are still “kids” at age 40, as Vance is asserting, that would explain a lot.
None of my Republican friends talks like that, no matter their age. I never spoke like that, even as a kid. My kids didn’t, either, and nor will my grandchildren. Our parents raised us better, I taught my kids better, and they will teach our grandchildren better. Vance is telling us that, among Republicans, saying things like “I love Hitler” is everyday chatter. Also, Vance has sons. Do they talk like that?
By not condemning these folks, Vance answers the question: Why are so many of these folks attracted to the Republican Party? The answer, of course, is that they feel at home there. They have a president and vice president who do not condemn their inappropriate behavior, and by not condemning them, they are welcoming them. Let’s face it, these folks are now the base of the MAGA Republican Party, and Vance needs them for his next election.
I count this as a win because it exposes the reality of today’s Republican Party’s values and beliefs. It reminds the remaining members of the old GOP of what their party has become and forces them to ask if this is what they wish to support and be a part of. The more the MAGA Party is exposed, especially to independent voters, the easier it will be to vote them out of power in future elections. If Vance ever runs for office again, his refusal to condemn these comments, which even disparaged his Indian American wife, will be featured.
An AP-NORC poll released last week showed the worst polling for Trump’s second term. His approval was 37%, with 61% disapproving. For the critical independent voters, only 18% approve of Trump’s handling of the economy. This is a disastrous number for Republican candidates to run behind.
Tom Zirpoli is the Laurence J. Adams Distinguished Chair of Special Education Emeritus at McDaniel College. He writes from Westminster. His column appears on Wednesdays. Email him at tzirpoli@mcdaniel.edu.
