How Democracy is Caving In

🚨The Chaos Tumbling Down🚨

📌Who are the Democrats Voting with Republicans on the Government Shutdown Deal?

What Happened: Eight Democrats have voted with Republicans on a continuing resolution to reopen the government in exchange for a future vote on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Because the continuing resolution will lead to the doubling of healthcare premiums for 20 million Americans, kick $15 million people off Medicaid, and allow 50,000 Americans to die unnecessarily each year, the majority of Democratic senators voted no.

Why It Matters: During the shutdown, Democrats had power, but with eight bending the knee to the Republican party, any hope of extending ACA subsidies is gone. It should be clear by now that the word of Republicans cannot be trusted, so this promise built into the continuing resolution is nothing more than a sham. Millions of Americans will struggle and thousands will die without affordable healthcare. Democrats were supposed to help these people and we had the leverage and momentum from the recent election to do so. The betrayal of the eight Democrats not only affects their image—it decreases the credibility of the party in the eyes of voters. New, strong, and resilient leadership must rise in the Democratic party who actually stand up for the American people, not Trump and his millionaire friends.

📌Trump Pardons Rudy Giuliani and Others Involved in Bid to Overturn 2020 Election

What Happened: Trump pardoned 77 people, including Rudy Giuliani, accused of being involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the people pardoned were unfairly persecuted by the “communist” Biden administration. Since none of those listed were convicted of federal crimes, the pardons are largely symbolic. 

Why It Matters: These pardons indicate that free and fair elections are allowed to be challenged under Trump. What occurred after the 2020 presidential election from Trump’s refusal to accept the results to January 6th was a dark moment in our nation’s history. The Biden administration and Congress took the necessary efforts to hold those at fault accountable, but Trump is reversing this progress. Instead of abiding by the rule of law and calling out any form of election interference, Trump is signaling support for those who questioned results that went against his wishes. The foundation of our country is the voices of the American people, yet Trump feels his wants are more important. A dangerous precedent is being set where Trump’s power takes priority over the constitution and democracy itself.

📌Trump Asks Supreme Court to Take His Appeal of E. Jean Carroll Sexual Abuse Case

What Happened: Trump asked the Supreme Court to overturn a New York civil jury’s 2023 ruling that held him liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. After every lower court has either rejected the case or ruled against Trump, he has chosen to take it to the conservatively-stacked Supreme Court. Trump has continuously claimed Carroll’s story is "implausible" and “politically motivated” in an attempt to discredit her.

Why It Matters: No one is above the law, but this recent request by Trump shows he believes he is. By taking his personal case to the Supreme Court, Trump is blurring the lines between accountability and power. If the court agrees to hear the case, the message will echo beyond its decision—signalling that political loyalty, not evidence, determines justice. Victims of sexual assault must be believed and supported, making sure they feel safe telling their story. When those in power use the legal system as a shield, it doesn’t just discourage survivors from speaking out, it undermines faith in the very institutions meant to protect them.

📌Trump Downplays Economic Woes as Partisan Spin, Saying, 'Costs Are Way Down'

What Happened: Calling polls finding Americans are feeling economic pain fake, Trump said bad news about the economy is a “con job by the Democrats.” Consumer prices rose 3% in September compared to a year ago and inflation is at its highest since January. Trump is defending his handling of these economic woes, falsely claiming costs are “way down” across the board.

Why It Matters: Trump is turning a legitimate public concern into a political weapon. Instead of addressing why Americans are feeling squeezed by the high prices he caused, Trump is reframing reality to hide his role. This tactic negates the facts and fuels distrust, making it harder for voters to separate economic truth from campaign fiction. These statistics are necessary to judge the actions of a president, and Trump’s efforts to discredit them prove he is scared of the truth. As millions of families are working paycheck-to-paycheck, Trump could be solving the problem by fixing his diplomacy issues and pulling back his tariffs. Falsely blaming Democrats does Americans no good—it only indicates that Trump is ok with suffering if it means he gets his way.

📌Trump's Pentagon Name Change Could Cost Up to $2 Billion

What Happened: Changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War could cost up to $2 billion since it requires thousands of signs, websites, and items at all military sites around the world to be replaced. This name change can only be officially done by Congress, but Trump is taking the initiative to make it happen. 

Why It Matters: 2 billion taxpayer dollars is no small amount—it could be used to fund healthcare, infrastructure, or food programs. Opposed to solving problems Americans actually care about, Trump is spending it on a meaningless name change that only sets our country further back. The Trump administration claims it practices fiscal restraint, seen mainly in the firing of countless needed federal workers. This proposal proves the hypocrisy of Trump, standing as an example of political theater rather than policy aimed at helping Americans succeed. Republicans supporting Trump’s efforts to move forward with the change without congressional approval, including Secretary Hegseth, are demonstrating that the rules and ethics of our country do not matter to them. 

📌Pennsylvania Lawmakers Look to End Budget Stalemate, Sealed With Concession by Democrats on Climate

What Happened: The Pennsylvania legislature was stuck at a budget impasse before a $50 billion spending plan was passed with funds for public schools and social services. However, there was a sacrifice—in order to get Republican votes, Democrats backed off efforts to hold greenhouse gas producers accountable. The funds for schools and social services achieved is not the amount Governor Shapiro wanted out of the deal. 

Why It Matters: Following in the footsteps of Senate Democrats, those serving in the Pennsylvania legislature gave up a cause to end a shutdown quicker. Pennsylvania is classified as a major fossil fuel-producing state, and it would have been the first to force power plant workers to pay for their environmental costs. This change wouldn’t have stayed in Pennsylvania—it would have paved the way for similar regulations nationwide, especially as results started rolling in. Now, Pennsylvania has set another kind of example. Democrats there have shown Republicans that in times of crisis, there is room to bend and break the causes Democrats supposedly hold dear.

🎭 Meme of the Week

See you next week—stay informed, stay engaged, and don’t let the BS fool you.

✨Your movement bestie – Shae

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