It has always been true that the power of the people is greater than the people in power.

In three days, Trump will be sworn into office, ready to upend our lives and our freedoms. Rather than attend his inauguration, I plan on spending time with my community on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, upholding Dr. King’s legacy of love and justice.

After a hard-fought election where we organized, mobilized, and put everything on the line — a labor of love which still wasn’t enough to overcome the movement of right-wing extremism sweeping our country — it is no surprise that many are feeling weary and uncertain.

As we face down the next four years, I am reflecting on the power we, the people, have to advance progress. It has always been true that the power of the people is greater than the people in power. Here are some tools we have in our toolkit to protect our democracy, exercise our power, and fight back.

Legislation: Policy is my love language, and I will continue to push for bold policies that center the people, especially those who have been ignored, left out, and left behind by status quo politics. Serving in the minority doesn’t mean moderating our policy aspirations and forgetting who we work for: The people.

Oversight: Sunlight is the best disinfectant. That was the case when we started sounding the alarm on Project 2025, and it’s the case now as Trump prepares to enact it. I have never shied away from calling out the hurt and harm caused by Republicans and emboldened by Trump, and that won’t change as we head into a second Trump presidency.

Mobilization: Our progressive movement delivered a slate of unapologetic changemakers to Congress two years into Trump’s first term. We can and must rally that same power and momentum to turn the tides. That’s where you come in. When the time comes to raise our voices, I know you’ll be there to answer the call. And there’s another critical way you can support our movement’s work:

The only way we can do this work is through the small-donor donations that we receive to emails like these. This campaign is free from corporate influence and Super PAC funding. Your contribution today of any amount will help our movement when it's time to push back and stand strong. Can you make a contribution to help me protect our democracy and our communities over the next four years?

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The need for bold, activist leaders who fight for responsive progressive policies is what delivered me to Congress and that’s what I’ve been fighting for since day one. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how Republicans govern with cruelty, chaos, and contempt for the people. I’ve also seen how our movements endure and stay resilient — and it’s through your sustained commitment to this work.

We must stay focused, and we must fight with every tool that we have.

Onward,

Ayanna