Dear John,

There’s a lot going on. That’s Trump’s model. Create as much chaos as possible to distract from anything he thinks is unpopular and drive attention to what he thinks he wins on.

This week has been no exception. Trump has chosen to escalate tensions and provoke violence in Los Angeles because his Big Ugly Bill is struggling in the Senate. He knows it’s a disastrous abomination that even his own supporters hate.

But that’s not the only thing he’s trying to cover up.

Tomorrow the U.S. House is expected to vote on a rescission package that includes $1 billion – yup, that’s “billion” with a “b” – in cuts to public broadcasting.

Not only does public broadcasting offer beloved programs, but they also provide a nationwide network of stations offering local news, educational programming, and critical support for the emergency alert system.

While corporate news outlets like ABC News and The Washington Post capitulate to Trump with bogus legal settlements and self-censorship, and as disinformation runs wild on social media, public broadcasting’s radio stations reach over 98% of Americans, including some of the most isolated parts of rural America.

Former NPR executive Eric Nuzum warns that “The most vulnerable stations serving the most vulnerable people are going to be the ones that are hurt the hardest. We’re talking about very rural parts of the United States.”

Today, along with everything else you’re doing to protect democracy from Trump’s assault, we need to tell Congress to protect public broadcasting now.

We can walk and chew gum at the same time. Trump’s chaos model doesn’t have to distract us. We must stand against his authoritarian actions in Los Angeles, while fighting against his Big Ugly Bill and his cuts to public broadcasting at the same time.

We must take action today, before the House votes tomorrow.

Sign and send your message demanding your U.S. House Representative votes no now.

Thank you for valuing this national treasure!

Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action