We Are All Americans

What a day. What a crowd. What a feeling.

No Kings Day in D.C. was everything it was meant to be: loud, joyful, defiant, patriotic, and human. You could feel the pulse of democracy in the air. The streets were filled with people of every age, color, and creed saying the same thing: No Kings in America. Not now. Not ever.

I asked people why they were there. The answers varied—to defeat fascism, to restore the rule of law, to protest corruption, to remind the world that dissent is patriotic. One woman said she came because she loves her country too much to stay quiet. Another said, “To defend democracy.” That says it all.

The sun was blazing, the crowd kept growing, and the energy was contagious. It was a much-needed reminder of who we are when we show up, speak up, and stand together. Peacefully but emphatically, we told those who would destroy our democracy that we love America. And they won’t take our America away from us without a fight.

That scene was replicated by millions of Americans in cities, towns, and hamlets across this great country yesterday. I hope you got to experience it too—the laughter, the chants, the signs, the hope. No Kings Day was proof that the spirit of democracy is alive and well, and that We the People are still, proudly, the power.

Joe

In Today's Issue

• The Social Briefing: Heroes of the Week

• Good Reads for This Week

• The Social Share

• The Social Soundboard

This Past Week

SUBSTACK LIVE: Open to all subscribers, unless noted. Don’t miss it!

• Tuesday with Mike Brock (click if you missed it)

• Wednesday with Michael Cohen (click if you missed it)

• Wednesday AMA for Paid Subscribers (click if you missed it)

• Thursday with Edwin Eisendrath (click if you missed it)

• Thursday with Mike Madrid (click if you missed it)

• Friday with Mike Nellis (click if you missed it)

Amid all the bad, awful, dumb, stupid, absurd, insane, sickening, despicable, cruel, sad, pathetic, embarrassing, irresponsible, demoralizing, deplorable, infuriating, outrageous, terrible, horrible, Constitution-defying, fascist news of the past week, we have to acknowledge the TOP FIVE HEROES among us. The list is growing, as more and more of us are standing up to the tyrant. Courage is infectious. Be brave!

1. YOU! To everyone who protested on No Kings Day yesterday, THANK YOU! Americans all across this country stood up to defeat fascism, defend democracy, and restore the rule of law. That matters. Now let’s keep going.

2. COLONEL DOUG KRUGMAN. The former Marine and combat veteran has resigned after 24 years of service because he fears for our country’s future under Trump. “Instead of trying to work within the Constitution, or to amend it, President Trump is testing how far he can ignore it,” he writes. Respect. Defending the Constitution, like he swore to do.

3. GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS. He cut off JD Vance when he refused to answer whether Tom Homan accepted a bribe in a sting operation: “It’s not a weird left-wing rabbit hole. I didn’t insinuate anything. I asked you whether Tom Homan accepted $50,000, as was heard on an audiotape recorded by the FBI in September 2024. And you did not answer the question.” Thank you for sticking to the facts, George. Reporting at its best.

4. U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE SUSAN ILLSON. Judge lllson previously blocked part of Trump’s federal workforce reduction plans. Now she’s temporarily blocked his layoffs of federal workers. The ruling suspends many of the layoffs already issued and prevents the administration from issuing more while the case moves forward. “It’s a human cost that cannot be tolerated,” she said. And she’s damn right.

5. CSU FACULTY MEMBERS. The California Faculty Association is suing California State University after it shared the names and contact information of more than 2,600 workers with the federal government to support investigations of alleged antisemitism–without giving staff any notice. Faculty members want to prevent further cooperation with the Trump Administration to disclose their personal information without their consent. The investigations are “a witch hunt” says Brian Soucek, UC Davis law professor. Well done.

Did we miss anyone? Send your heroes our way!

Good Reads for This Week

• Why We Resist —Lucid

• It’s Getting Worse —The xxxxxx

• The Trump Era Will Test Us. What Are You Willing to Risk? —YES! Magazine

• Trump’s Orders Targeting Anti-Fascism Aim to Criminalize Opposition

  —Brennan Center for Justice

• Opinion: I Resigned from the Marine Corps Because of President Trump —The Washington Post

• The Vote-Counters Have Changed Hands—and America Should Pay Attention —Jack Hopkins Now

• The Return of the Bern —CNN

• Mash of Civilizations —The Dispatch

• The Great Moral Inversion —Notes from the Circus

• Is Love the Answer? —Missives from a Middle-Aged Man

• WATCH: The Hoods Are Off! The GOP Embraces Nazis —The Left Hook

I continue to believe the cruelty of the Trump Administration will ultimately help defeat MAGA. Most Americans are not cruel. Keep spreading the word. And share the stories and videos you find with us.

Broadwaybabyto 5d Illinois State Rep Norma Hernandez confirms that the 15 year old girl who was dragged from her car by ICE had recently had kidney surgery. She was thrown to the ground despite screaming “I’m not resisting” She had to return to the hospital. These aggressive tactics will disable. They will kill. They must be held accountable. 10.8K 4.4K

DemCast USA 9d ICE DETAINED DEBBIE BROCKMAN, PRODUCER FOR WGN, IN CHICAGO. They’re disappearing the press now. 355 182

Patricia Bee 9d CHICAGO - ICE abducts a mother picking up her kids yesterday at West Loop Elementary School. Source: Migrant Insider & Vote In or Out on Instagram. 67 43

• Man patrols Chicago suburb dressed as Hitler—threatening to call ICE. “My problem is illegals and Jews...Heil Fuhrer Trump!” Giving Nazi salute. “Do you wanna see ICE? They’re gonna show up at your house.” Swastikas were painted on city signs the very same day—on the same street. —LongTimeHistory

• Her 13-Year-Old Son Was Arrested, Then Taken by ICE to a Detention Facility —CNN

• Green Card Holder Paramjit Singh Still in ICE Custody, Family Says Second Brain Tumor Surgery Delayed Due to Detention —The Times of India

• U.S. Marine’s Parents Detained by ICE While Visiting Military Base

  —Newsweek

• ICE Takes Custody of at Least 7 in Hamden Car Wash Raid, Officials Say —CT Insider

• ICE’s Use of Full-Body Restraints During Deportations Raises Concerns Over Inhumane Treatment —AP News

• L.A. County Declares State of Emergency Over Immigration Raids —The New York Times

FIGHTING BACK

• Priests and Nuns Blocked from Bringing Communion at ICE Facility—So They Held A Parking Lot Vigil —Letters from Leo

Here’s what some of you are thinking about this week…

I just call them the “radical racist right.” They go crazy over that. —William N.

We’ll march all across this country because we love America and refuse to let an adjudicated sex offender, serial criminal, and political terrorist who threatened the lives of so many on Jan. 6 to repress our Democracy. JD Vance said it all—he referred to Donald Trump as, and I quote, “America’s Hitler.”

Vance meant it when he said it, and all of us are seeing Trump play out the parallel with Hitler right here. Unimaginable? Well it’s happening. And weak, scared Republicans bow to Trump with no courage. And that will be their legacy—shame on them. —Jeff R.

Much as we care about climate change, racial justice, cost of living/housing/healthcare, endless wars, etc., unless these are directly (and secondarily) tied to our messaging about saving our democracy, it will dilute the power, and come across as a ‘Fix Everything!’ protest.

Thanks for your message today! —Doug S.

Thank you for your voice!

Can the governors get together and unite to fight back against this administration’s many illegal policies? Is there a way to hold back funding from states to this government, or would that hurt everyone?

Do you think there’s a chance that the states’ gerrymandering could backfire? Am I being naive? What else can I do? I’ve donated, protested(ing), called my Republican Congressman, and voted. I feel so helpless.

Thanks for your hard work and reporting. Stay safe. —Kathy B.

Hey, I want to hear from you! Want to send us a 600-word op-ed or video clip on how we can mend our frayed social contract and rebuild an America that works? Want to appear with Joe on Substack Live? Just need to vent? Send it our way!

Tell us your story and share your feedback about our Substack community by emailing our editor at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!