If there’s one truth universally accepted in the modern era, it’s that sequels suck. And Asset 2.0 will be no exception. Trump takes office with a project aimed at establishing the the worst parts of Project 2025. He will be empowered by a justice system filled with right-wing ideologues And majorities in Congress stacked with MAGA infantrymen. He intends to take full advantage of the impunity granted to him by the Supreme Court.
But Trump win with less than 50% in a single election This does not give him the right to rule as a dictator, nor does it mean that American democracy is dead. Ordinary people can organize to block Trump’s attacks, break MAGA’s political force, and build a winning majority coalition.
Fascists and their ilk want us to believe that we are alone and powerless.
We know this because we have seen it before. In 2016 we wrote the Indivisible guide demystify how Congress works and help people organize locally to fight the Trump agenda. He went viral and inspired thousands of “Indivisible” groups it would continue to help Let’s Save the Affordable Care Act. During the 2018 elections, these groups helped take back the House of Representatives with the largest popular vote margins for a mid-term in the history of the republic.
Many Americans are upset and scared — and may even be taking a break from the news. But they are also determined. They want to do their part to protect their families, their neighbors and democracy. Even though Trump 2.0 and the world are different, we have learned a lot working with the Indivisible movement over the past eight years. So here is our advice to these Americans on where to start.
We start by getting together. Fascists and their ilk want us to believe that we are alone and powerless. As historian Timothy Snyder recently observed“They want you to be alone. No one is going to solve this problem alone. That’s not how it works. Even the most capable individuals do not have the power that organized local groups possess. Forming or joining local voluntary associations of like-minded Americans where we live, as one indivisible group, is the basis for all we can hope to achieve during this period.
Once your group is formed, it’s time to choose your targets. Trump wants us to believe that the presidency is all-powerful, but that is not true. Political power overlaps between local, state and federal elected officials, all of whom need votes to be re-elected. Regardless of the region, at least some of these officials will be ideal targets of influence. The power of your groups comes from your ability to support or be a real pain in the ass to these elected officials. This power can be exercised to get them to push back against the misdeeds of Trump 2.0 or face the political consequences.
What specifically can we hope to achieve? As we explain in our new guide, there are four big things:
- First, we can stop, block or blunt some of the worst proposals from Congress and the White House.
- Second, we play a tough role in cities and states where Democrats have the power to fight back and protect our communities.
- Third, we can protect electoral infrastructure in swing states to ensure elections actually take place in 2028.
- Fourth, we can limit some of the harm that could happen to us, our neighbors and our families.
Not every strategy or tactic will work for everyone, everywhere. But each of us will have a role. Think of it as a giant pro-democracy national team: some of us play offense, some of us play defense, but we all have to play our part.
We’re not going to lie to you: it’s a lot of work.
Does this seem impossible in this new era? Well, we’ve already seen a pressure campaign working this week. Congressional Republicans tried to rush passage of a bill that would have expanded Trump’s power. target non-profit organizations. Many Democratic members of Congress were willing to stand aside and let things happen, but a wave of calls to their offices pushed them take a stand and block the bill. Is this enough? No. Have we done good for our democracy? It’s true that we did it.
We’re not going to lie to you: it’s a lot of work. It will take many of us to get there, and that’s why leadership right now must come from ordinary people, not just politicians. Democratic elected officials will need our encouragement, our support and our cajoling to find their courage and fight back. Republican elected officials can and should break with MAGA or be held accountable for the harm they cause.
If we all harness the power we have in every corner of our country, we can mitigate the damage caused by Trump 2.0 as we move toward a midterm victory in 2026. Our country is on the brink, but working together, we can live to fight another day.