Each Friday, I write to you about the news of the week. Sometimes I highlight a particular person, case or event. Other times, I take a step back and try to identify emerging trends and threats. However, over the last 12 months, there is one theme that I find myself returning to over and over again: the failure of our largest and most powerful institutions to protect us from the threat posed by Donald Trump.

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January 9, 2026

Each Friday, I write to you about the news of the week. Sometimes I highlight a particular person, case or event. Other times, I take a step back and try to identify emerging trends and threats. However, over the last 12 months, there is one theme that I find myself returning to over and over again: the failure of our largest and most powerful institutions to protect us from the threat posed by Donald Trump.

While this cowardice can be discouraging, there is a flipside that can inspire. While prominent figures are capitulating and collaborating with Trump, everyday Americans are taking their place and fighting back.

Once again, this week proved that everyday citizens standing up to the government are braver than the titans who own the largest media corporations, run the biggest law firms and lead the most powerful technology companies. So, at the end of a long week filled with heartbreak, I want to recognize these unsung heroes.

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1. Protestors fighting back against ICE

Americans nationwide have shown courage and bravery by standing up for their neighbors and protesting against ICE raids. This week in particular, that courage was on display in Minneapolis when Renee Nicole Good — an American citizen — was killed by ICE agents.

In response to her tragic death, protestors came out in droves to honor Good and call out the illegal and inhuman actions that led to her killing. While ordinary Americans are holding ICE agents accountable, too many in the legacy media are offering both-sides coverage. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is lying and defaming the memory of a 37-year-old mother. It’s clear who is standing up for our country at this moment — and it’s not the organizations we once trusted.

2. Jan. 6 victims are suffering scorn from the White House

On Jan. 6, 2021, members of Congress were held under lockdown in the Capitol as insurrectionists stormed the building. They wore gas masks in fear of a chemical attack. Their offices were ransacked and robbed. Later that day, they returned to the Capitol and bravely executed their duty to our country, confirming Joe Biden as President of the United States.

Now, those same members of Congress — from Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi to Rep. Jamie Raskin — are being dragged through the mud on the White House’s libelous Jan. 6 website. While the Trump administration claims that Democrats “masterfully reversed reality after January 6,” we know the truth: Republicans are the ones trying to reverse reality and Democrats are standing up for democracy.

Even worse, congressional Republicans have turned their backs on the Capitol Police officers who bravely faced the insurrectionists. The party that claims to support law enforcement refuses to even display a plaque commemorating the officers’ role that day, for fear of angering Donald Trump.

3. Epstein survivors are being denied justice

Donald Trump’s Department of Justice continues to break the law by ignoring the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Under that law, all of the files related to Epstein were supposed to be released by Dec. 19. Despite that, only 1% of the files have been released — and of course, it’s all heavily redacted to protect public figures from embarrassment.

Republicans in Congress claim that they’re trying to protect Epstein survivors, but that is plainly not the case. The survivors who have bravely spoken out say they want justice. They want the files to be released. They don’t want their abusers to be shielded and protected by the Trump administration.

While Republicans are determined to back Donald Trump, the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein continue to show tremendous courage. We should be listening to them — not Epstein’s best friend.

4. Voters are protecting voting records

As the Department of Justice threatens states to turn over sensitive voter information, voters are fighting back. Local governments have stood up to the DOJ and refused to turn over voter data. Citizens are speaking out in protest of the DOJ’s demands. Voters have even gone to court to protect their voter information.

The DOJ has sued 24 states over these sensitive registration files, and in each of these cases, my law firm is representing voters and pro-voting groups to fight back. While Big Law firms and the legacy media fail these voters, we are determined to protect the rights of voters and the states’ right to safeguard personal information — and voters are there by our side, speaking out against the administration.

A year ago, I was dismayed as organizations and institutions I once trusted failed to meet this moment. Now, I have come to accept this disappointing reality. But more importantly, I have grown proud and honored to watch as individual Americans not only meet this moment — but go beyond it. They are fighting for democracy. They are standing up for their neighbors. They are protecting our country.

The American people will help us survive this attack on democracy. When I am feeling down, I am inspired by them. When I am feeling tired, they give me energy. I am fighting for them, and they are fighting for us.

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