Presidents’ Day.
I’ve always had the deepest respect for the institution of the Presidency – working at the White House was the honor of a lifetime.
Our best Presidents have defended our freedoms, protected our rights and sought to bring our country ever closer to a more perfect union.
28 days into this particular presidency, however, celebrating the current state of the presidency feels a bit like a cruel joke.
I’m writing to you from Israel, where our allies here in the pro-democracy camp have spent the better part of two years protesting their own antidemocratic judicial coup against a leader only out for himself.
The challenges to democracy in Israel – to the separation of powers, the rule of law, the principle of equality for all – echo those we now face in the United States. They are, in fact, challenges that countries around the world are facing as demagogues use fear to build power and undermine the foundations of liberal democracy.
We are in the fight of our lives for the future of both countries. A fight that will take smarts and determination; effective strategy and compelling messaging.
The crisis is severe. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are tearing through our government, using conspiracy theories and culture wars as a pretext to bulldoze programs that millions rely on. Illegally shuttering agencies built up before them by Presidents and leaders in Congress of far greater principles and integrity.
And now JD Vance – when he’s not palling around with far-right populists in Europe – is openly daring the courts to try to stop them. Last week, he signaled a willingness to defy court rulings outright in a brazen attempt to intimidate courts into submission with the threat of a full-blown constitutional breakdown.
It’s infuriating to see the power of the presidency being used and abused by billionaires to enrich themselves and their friends at the expense of those they claim to fight for.
This Presidents’ Day, I am pleased to reaffirm J Street’s full commitment to the fight for democracy and for our values – both in the US and in Israel.
We will lock arms with the broad coalition needed to fight back – inside and outside of Congress – with urgency and clarity.
As Jewish Americans, we know better than most that we cannot take the liberal democratic order other leaders have defended for granted. We cannot take our freedoms as a given. Not when we see this President challenging core elements of our constitutional system, pardoning far-right militia leaders, and rounding up immigrants. A “wait and see” approach isn’t good enough.
I’ve spoken before about my dismay that too many leaders of the so-called “organized Jewish community” aren’t taking the threats we face seriously – bringing what seems at times greater energy to fighting lefty academics and students than the early-stage fascism rearing its ugly head in the halls of power in Washington.
We on 'Team Democracy' need to rally and organize and act – now – because here’s the truth about Presidents’ Day: Those leaders we honor today who did defend freedom, protect democracy and bring us to that more perfect union – none of them did it alone.
Behind every leader there has been a movement of people driven by their values who have made it possible – from the abolitionists to the suffragists, Freedom Riders to Stonewall rioters, anti-war activists to labor unions.
So this Presidents’ Day, let’s recommit to the pro-democracy fight ahead – a battle that will take place in the halls of Congress and in the courts and, before we know it, at the ballot box.
In the coming weeks, J Street will be rallying our movement to lead the fight on our core issues – against a US role in displacing Gazan civilians or cutting critical foreign assistance or starting a war with Iran – and we’ll support broader coalitions on issues we care about, from refugee support to immigrant rights and civil rights to the foundational pillars of our democracy.
In the meantime, please consider taking 15 minutes this week in honor of those who have fought for our democracy before, and contact your Representatives and Senators directly – Democrats and Republicans – to let them know you expect them to fight for our future.
We will persevere when we stand together, and I’m so thankful to have you with us in the fight.
Yours,
Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
