TOMORROW: Join us live with Senator Chris Murphy
Tuesday, February 18, at noon Eastern, the Connecticut senator talks to us about standing up to Trump and Musk — and the work ahead for all of us
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut has emerged as one of the most fiery sources of resistance to the new Trump-Musk administration and its relentless attack on American institutions. Tomorrow at noon Eastern, he’ll join us for a Substack Live conversation — and we hope you can attend.
Where many in the Democratic Party don’t seem to have met the moment with the forcefulness a coup demands, Senator Murphy has recognized that this is no time for politics as usual, and has been among those calling out what the Republican regime has become, and what Trump, Musk, and their appointees are trying to take away from the American people.
Just watch this exchange with Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee to lead — and dismantle — the Department of Education:
Since the inauguration, Murphy has been clear about the stakes we face, and he’s been picking the fights that need to be fought. As the Senator wrote to his constituents this weekend:
Republicans are rubber-stamping every nominee because they are in a cult. Trump is testing them, and to a person, they are all falling in line. Every one of them has made the choice to let everything proceed as normal. In a cult, you do whatever the leader tells you to do — even when it’s ridiculous, dangerous or risks harm to your own family.
So I don’t think we have any choice other than to wage a daily, loud, urgent fight against the takeover of government by the billionaire class.
We’ll be talking with the senator about what that urgent fight can look like, what we can expect — and what we need to demand — from our elected representatives, what the job ahead looks like for all of us, and much more.
To join and watch, download the Substack app (just click on the link below) and turn on notifications — you’ll get an alert that we’re live and you can watch from your iOS or Android mobile device.
Subscribe to Senator Murphy’s Substack to keep up with his writing and thinking, and follow the links below to catch up on our previous conversations.
See you tomorrow!
Not sure I can join but if he is taking questions would love to know why he — yes, one of the best — does not put a blanket hold on at least some nominations, delay universal consent etc. It’s not a solution of course but it shows fight and makes them work harder. Curious
Anand --I wonder what you think about this comment from Cleve Jones here in SF?Some of you will object to what I'm about to say. So be it.
"The Resistance" is weak, disorganized and rudderless. And it shows - with scattered protests called by anonymous individuals, incoherent messaging and little media coverage. People are confused and uncertain and desperate for direction.
It is past time for the leaders of our nation's progressive and liberal organizations to step up, join forces and unite the country around actions that broaden and deepen the movement to stop the ascendent fascist coup. Leading organizations in the areas of immigration, LGBTQ, reproductive rights, criminal justice reform, environment, anti-racist, voting rights and other social justice causes must build real functioning coalitions with elements of the Democratic Party, faith communities, organized labor and LEAD THE WAY.
We need bold action. We also need transparency and accountability in this era where the social media platforms we use - and the devices we use to access them - are so easily manipulated and controlled by the men who own them. You saw them, up there with him on the podium on Inauguration Day.
There are calls floating around for a "General Strike" or "National Strike" and consumer boycotts, but no indication that the would-be organizers have the support of TRADE UNIONS - you know, the people who actually organize strikes and boycotts to WIN campaigns that benefit workers. Those same Unions that are now under direct attack from a regime that is determined to crush the labor movement forever.
We need leaders who will unite opposition to the regime and move aggressively to reach all segments of the population who will be harmed by the regime's policies, including some who voted for the regime or chose not to participate.
We need leaders who speak clearly and use language that is accessible and devoid of the jargon, buzzwords and catch phrases that so often characterize the rhetoric of the left.
We need leaders who truly comprehend the grim truth of this moment in history. We are in the gravest danger and our leaders must show that they have vision, strength and hearts full of love for our country, democracy and the planet.
I am 70 years old and in poor health but I am ready to march until I can march no further. Millions of Americans are ready to march. Millions more across the globe wait for us to march, seize back our government and stop the madness that now engulfs the world.
Let's pull together, make a plan, and get to it. The stakes could not be higher.