Action 7 -Ask our Senators to oppose 3 dangerous Trump nominees (for starters)
A Putin admirer in high heels, a fanatical 2 nd generation immigrant with an enemies list, and a misogynist alcoholic with disturbing tattoos walk into a bar....
In this case “bar” is short for “barrier”, namely the US Senate where they seek to be confirmed to 3 offices, arguably the most important for national security.
Let’s not let it happen. Write or email our Senators to protest the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence), Kash Patel (FBI director) and Pete Hegseth (Secretary of Defense). Of all the “Trump” nominees*, these three seem to have the most dangerous resumes and agendas as it pertains to national security. Of course, our Senators need to “do their own research” including full confirmation hearings and independent background checks, but there is abundant reporting available on these three in both the mainstream media (for example check the Guardian) and posts that you likely already read regularly on Substack and elsewhere.
Note that some confirmations can take place before Inauguration Day (Jan 20) but they can also drag on for a long period of time**. During that time, the Heritage Foundation’s playbook has designed provisions for the agencies to be managed by loyalists to Trump (see Project 2025), so it’s not like the whole government will be bogged down and unable to function. Urge Collins and King to take their time vetting, and in the end to vote NO on these dangerous picks.
Senator King: https://www.king.senate.gov/contact-home
Senator Collins: https://www.collins.senate.gov/contact
PS. This is NO TIME FOR BIPARTISANSHIP. If we believe that Trump poses an existential threat to democracy, we need to act like it. As Timothy Snyder reminds us, do not obey in advance.
*most likely selected by either the Heritage Foundation or America First Policy Institute. Some of these nominees may not actually make it to the confirmation process. Let’s help with that.
** Here is an interesting website on the confirmation process.
https://presidentialtransition.org/senate-confirmations-slow-to-a-crawl/