Tom Nichols

We've got all kinds of power that is real, unlike the kind of performative power that Trump is using. So use it. And also, Americans want leaders who are strong and not leaders who are weak. So politically, it also pays to be strong.

Yes. And also, again, imagine you're a member of the House of Representatives and somebody shows you an appropriations bill or C.R., that funds USAID. But USAID has been shut down. And the staff have been fired. What are we doing here? This piece of paper you're showing me is a lie. I will vote for it if it's the truth. I'm not going to vote for it if it's the lie.

Yes. And also, again, imagine you're a member of the House of Representatives and somebody shows you an appropriations bill or C.R., that funds USAID. But USAID has been shut down. And the staff have been fired. What are we doing here? This piece of paper you're showing me is a lie. I will vote for it if it's the truth. I'm not going to vote for it if it's the lie.

Yes. And also, again, imagine you're a member of the House of Representatives and somebody shows you an appropriations bill or C.R., that funds USAID. But USAID has been shut down. And the staff have been fired. What are we doing here? This piece of paper you're showing me is a lie. I will vote for it if it's the truth. I'm not going to vote for it if it's the lie.

And Democrats have to become comfortable using power. And I think politically, they will be rewarded if they project strength and confidence and a comfort with using power within the law, obviously. just as Trump is rewarded for it, right? I mean, even when he does unpopular things, if he looks strong doing them, a lot of people like it.

And Democrats have to become comfortable using power. And I think politically, they will be rewarded if they project strength and confidence and a comfort with using power within the law, obviously. just as Trump is rewarded for it, right? I mean, even when he does unpopular things, if he looks strong doing them, a lot of people like it.

And Democrats have to become comfortable using power. And I think politically, they will be rewarded if they project strength and confidence and a comfort with using power within the law, obviously. just as Trump is rewarded for it, right? I mean, even when he does unpopular things, if he looks strong doing them, a lot of people like it.

We're aligned so far.

We're aligned so far.

We're aligned so far.

I mean, it's kind of obvious, right? I mean, they do illegal things. You got to challenge it. But the reason I stress this is that there are still a lot of folks out there who are hesitating for understandable reasons. So like take, take USA ID, the employees union did file a suit on behalf of employees who were being unlawfully fined. forced to go on leave or fired, and they immediately won.

I mean, it's kind of obvious, right? I mean, they do illegal things. You got to challenge it. But the reason I stress this is that there are still a lot of folks out there who are hesitating for understandable reasons. So like take, take USA ID, the employees union did file a suit on behalf of employees who were being unlawfully fined. forced to go on leave or fired, and they immediately won.

I mean, it's kind of obvious, right? I mean, they do illegal things. You got to challenge it. But the reason I stress this is that there are still a lot of folks out there who are hesitating for understandable reasons. So like take, take USA ID, the employees union did file a suit on behalf of employees who were being unlawfully fined. forced to go on leave or fired, and they immediately won.

Everybody's immediately winning, at least in terms of stays and temporary restraining orders. But most of the organizations in America and around the world that implement these programs, like take Catholic Relief Services, for example, they have not filed suits because they're afraid. Because they're afraid if we stick our necks out and file that suit, Then we're in the crosshairs.

Everybody's immediately winning, at least in terms of stays and temporary restraining orders. But most of the organizations in America and around the world that implement these programs, like take Catholic Relief Services, for example, they have not filed suits because they're afraid. Because they're afraid if we stick our necks out and file that suit, Then we're in the crosshairs.

Everybody's immediately winning, at least in terms of stays and temporary restraining orders. But most of the organizations in America and around the world that implement these programs, like take Catholic Relief Services, for example, they have not filed suits because they're afraid. Because they're afraid if we stick our necks out and file that suit, Then we're in the crosshairs.

They're still hoping against hope that maybe we can find a way to get to Marco Rubio. He's a good guy. We've known him for many years or somebody else, or we can find a donor who can talk to Trump at some fundraiser. And convince them, spare us, maybe go after everyone else, but spare our wonderful program to feed children in this African country.

They're still hoping against hope that maybe we can find a way to get to Marco Rubio. He's a good guy. We've known him for many years or somebody else, or we can find a donor who can talk to Trump at some fundraiser. And convince them, spare us, maybe go after everyone else, but spare our wonderful program to feed children in this African country.

They're still hoping against hope that maybe we can find a way to get to Marco Rubio. He's a good guy. We've known him for many years or somebody else, or we can find a donor who can talk to Trump at some fundraiser. And convince them, spare us, maybe go after everyone else, but spare our wonderful program to feed children in this African country.

And some of the big democracy promoting institutions like the National Democratic Institute, National Endowment for Democracy, International Republican Institute that are doing work with democracy campaigners, anti-corruption activists all around the world. They've also been laying low. They're worried if we file a suit, we're going to war against the Trump administration.