See You In Court
Week of February 7-13, 2025
Welcome to TRACKING THE CRISIS, a new weekly round-up from The Democracy Collaborative tracking the administrative, legislative, and other actions of the new Trump Administration as well as the many forms of legal and movement response from across a broad range of social, political and economic actors. TDC is providing this service for collective informational purposes, as a tool for understanding the times during a period of disorientingly rapid flux and change in the U.S. political economy. TDC should not be understood as endorsing or otherwise any of the specific content of the information round-up.
TRUMP TRACKER: Administration actions
Trump vs. the courts: heading towards constitutional crisis.
So far, many of the most extreme executive orders from the Trump Administration, from the federal funding freeze to ending birthright citizenship, have been blocked or stayed by federal court orders. This week, the White House has begun to challenge the judicial branch directly, beginning with JD Vance’s comment on Sunday that the courts are “not allowed” to control the President’s “executive power.” On Monday, the stakes became clear as FEMA officials issued a directive to stop federal funding, directly violating a court order issued by US District Judge John McConnell on January 31, while six more judges moved to rein in the power of the president’s executive orders. On Tuesday, the Trump Administration made an emergency bid to the First Circuit Court of Appeals to lift the restrictions on the federal funding freeze, which a three-judge panel unanimously rejected. Legal scholars, as well as the New York Times Editorial Board and several state Attorneys General, have warned that this confrontation may lead to a constitutional crisis – a view shared by even some Congressional Republicans as the executive branch is challenging the basic tripartite structure of checks and balances on which the nation’s government was founded. On Wednesday, the White House issued a statement claiming that federal ‘activist’ judges, not the Administration, are the ones responsible for provoking a constitutional crisis. Vox has published a discussion on the ways a constitutional crisis could potentially play out over the coming days and weeks.
Federal funding freeze and cuts impact programs and services around the country and the world.
As the Trump Administration and federal courts battle the legality of the funding freeze, many grant-funded programs report they are still unable to access critical funds to keep projects going. Among them are climate programs for Tribes, domestic violence shelters, food banks, and clean energy projects awarded funding under the Biden Administration, an estimated 80% of which are in Republican districts, as well as USDA-funded agricultural programs and foreign aid contracts impacting farmers, many of whom voted for Trump. The sudden dismantling of USAID has also begun to claim lives abroad, as Pe Kha Lau, a 71-year old refugee from Myanmar in Thailand, died shortly after being sent home from a hospital run by the International Rescue Committee. Across the country, universities, hospitals, and research institutions are still reeling from last Friday’s directive from the National Institutes of Health capping indirect rates for federal grants at 15%, which would cripple operations for research laboratories and medical facilities across the country. While NIH did resume grant disbursements on Thursday in compliance with two temporary restraining orders blocking the directive’s implementation until at least February 21, numerous researchers and universities have issued statements on the damaging impact of the directive on critical medical studies and treatment programs.
Mass layoffs of federal workforce commence.
On Thursday, termination emails were sent to thousands of probationary employees (recent hires with less than one or two years of service) across several federal agencies. According to OPM’s most recent report, over 200,000 employees have worked for the federal government for less than a year; probationary employees have fewer job protections and lack recourse for appeals. Layoffs include 3,400 employees at the Forest Service at a time when up to 70% of climate-driven wildfires burn in National Forests. Workers at the Forest Service, many of whom live in government housing, say the emails indicate they were let go “for performance” regardless of their review status, or if they had already accepted the deferred resignation program. Approximately 1,700 workers were let go from the National Park Service, impacting rural communities dependent on NPS tourism. An as-yet-unknown number of employees were terminated at the Department of Education, impacting student loan processes and other functions. An estimated 2,700 layoffs at the Department of Interior could have a “dramatic” impact on a number of Tribal programs, including health, education, social services and more. Dozens of employees at the Office of Personnel Management were reportedly laid off on a mass call and were given just a half hour to leave the building. Alt National Park Service reports on social media that layoffs are also impacting Schedule A disabled employees, including veterans. Workers at these and many other agencies report being warned that “bigger layoffs are coming” in the near future.
Trump Administration’s assault on immigrants intensifies.
Impacts of the Trump Administration’s immigration crackdown are being felt across the country, igniting widespread fear from farming communities in California to Dreamers in US colleges, as well as faith communities who minister to migrants. As internal roadblocks, notably lack of funding, staff and infrastructure, have stymied the full implementation of Trump’s plan, the Administration has begun to consider using Department of Defense funding to bolster the ICE budget. The Trump Administration appears to be increasing the use of military assets in immigration enforcement operations, including the deployment of Army units to the border, use of military guards in migrant detention and reports that the Pentagon is recruiting military servicemembers to build and staff the expansion of Guantanamo Bay to hold migrants. At Guantanamo Bay, families of deported Venezuelans claim that their relatives are being held in isolation under “legal black box” policies reserved for terrorists. On Wednesday, US military planes began to deport African and Asian immigrants to Panama after a deal was reached last week between the two countries. Also on Wednesday, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander reported that $80 million in Congressionally-appropriated FEMA funding for shelter services was withdrawn from New York City’s bank account in an illegal reversal of funding he characterized as “highway robbery,” after Elon Musk claimed on X that the shelter funding was used to “house migrants in luxury hotels.” The Trump Administration moved to sue New York City on Wednesday over its sanctuary policies; but on Thursday, NYC mayor Eric Adams met with immigration czar Tim Homan to discuss reestablishing an ICE facility at Rikers Island in contradiction of New York sanctuary law. This week, ICE also announced plans to monitor social media for criticism and negative comments to “identify threats” to the agency via “geolocation, psychological profiles, facial recognition technology, and more,” and has requested cooperation from tech companies that can help them monitor comments and identify detractors.
Trump aims to dismantle Department of Education as Linda McMahon faces confirmation hearings for Education Secretary.
Calling the Department of Education a “con job,” Trump followed up on last week’s threat to abolish the DOE on Wednesday by reiterating his desire to close the DOE “immediately,” while acknowledging that it would take an act of Congress to do so. On Thursday, Secretary nominee Linda McMahon faced her first set of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill, where she presented a roadmap for Congress to significantly downsize the department by moving various functions to other departments while keeping core programs like Pell grants and Title I funding. Meanwhile, Elon Musk and DOGE have already cut nearly $900 million in diversity programs and research funding at the DOE, decimating the agency’s research division which compiles and publicizes data on schools around the country. Some congressional Republicans appeared to walk back from the Trump Administration’s hard line, including Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson, who disagreed with Trump’s desire to dismantle the DOE “immediately,” and Alaska Rep. Lisa Murkowski, who appeared to warn McMahon to comply with federal regulations that limit the US government’s control over school curriculum. Education experts warn of the damaging impacts such reforms could have on numerous programs, including student loans, subsidies for low-income schools, and special education.
Trump Administration halts anti-corruption enforcement amid questions over conflict of interest and benefits to Musk companies.
While DOGE and the Trump Administration publicly vowed to “root out” corrupt bureaucrats at federal agencies, Trump made several moves this week to sharply roll back anti-corruption enforcement efforts at the Department of Justice. On Monday, Trump signed an executive order freezing enforcement of the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which bans US companies from bribing foreign officials. This week, Trump also pardoned disgraced former Chicago mayor Rod Blagojevich who was ousted from his post in 2009 and convicted of corruption-related crimes in 2011, and directed the DOJ to drop corruption charges against NYC mayor Eric Adams, who agreed to talks toward cooperating with ICE and loosening NYC’s sanctuary policy a day later. NYC’s top prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, resigned on Thursday after refusing to follow orders from the DOJ to drop the case. Trump’s attempt last week to fire Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel which investigates corruption and protects whistleblowers, was blocked by a judge on Thursday. These moves come amid questions from Democrats about Elon Musk’s conflict of interest with the agencies being investigated by DOGE, as Rep. Adam Schiff pointed out Monday in a letter to the White House stating that Musk companies “have been the subject of at least 20 recent investigations or reviews by federal agencies.” NBC News notes that enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act had previously won settlements for the DOJ totaling over $1.5 billion from companies that are major suppliers for Tesla. Bloomberg reports that in the wake of this directive and the shuttering of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by DOGE last Friday, many corporate defense lawyers are seizing the opportunity to press DOJ prosecutors to drop white collar criminal cases, with one corporate lawyer characterizing the environment created by Trump and Bondi as: “the store is open.”
Trump pushes Gaza plan as Jordanian King visits White House, Israel violates ceasefire.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II visited the White House on Tuesday, where Trump doubled down on his plan to displace all Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop it into a “Riviera of the Middle East.” Trump’s proposal for Jordan and Egypt to receive over 2 million displaced Palestinians was resoundingly rejected by both countries, as well as by other Arab countries and leaders around the world. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declined to visit the White House to discuss the matter with Trump, and instead called an emergency summit of Arab leaders for February 27, indicating that they would present an alternative proposal for the reconstruction of Gaza that will “ensure the Palestinian people will remain in their homeland.” Meanwhile, Israel continues to launch air attacks in the Gaza Strip, killing at least two Palestinians including a child despite the ceasefire. Hamas officials have stated they will adhere to the ceasefire agreement and release three prisoners by the Saturday deadline.
Fault lines within the GOP over Trump, Musk actions.
While Congressional Republicans are publicly falling in lockstep with Trump and Musk, many GOP lawmakers are more quietly expressing concerns about the overreach of the executive branch as they field a deluge of calls from angry constituents and federal workers in their districts. Conservative website The Bulwark reports that Republican lawmakers are sending letters to constituents expressing concern over DOGE’s actions and apprehension over Musk’s conflicts of interest. This comes on the heels of a developing schism between House and Senate Republicans over the budget and disagreements on how to handle Trump’s tax cuts and fiscal agenda as dueling budget bills head to both chambers. Republican lawmakers are having to answer for the ways in which spending cuts and tariffs are hitting their home districts. On Wednesday, Mitch McConnell published an op-ed in the Louisville Courier-Journal expressing concern as to how Trump’s tariffs will affect Kentucky’s export economy. According to a 2024 report by the Rockefeller Institute, 13 of the top 20 states that receive more federal funding than they give in tax payments have voted solidly Republican in the last three elections.
Trump escalates international trade war over tariffs.
On Monday, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports to the US, announcing a “big deal” that would “make America rich again.” These tariffs would, in the case of Canada, stack on to other tariffs imposed last week by the Trump Administration, resulting in a 50% overall duty for imports. On Thursday, Trump announced he would impose “reciprocal tariffs” on countries around the world by as early as April, effectively doubling the duties for exports and imports. The Trump Administration is “investigating” how to levy tariffs on countries that impose duties, with Trump declaring special attention on countries (implying those in the European Union) that use value-added tax (VAT) for exports from the US, characterizing VAT as “punitive” to the US economy. The Guardian has produced a helpful chart showing which countries would be impacted the hardest by the new tariffs. Indian president Nanendra Modi met with Trump this week to discuss averting an international trade war as trade tensions mount. Yanis Varoufakis, heterodox economist and former Greek finance minister, outlines how these tariff wars form part of Trump’s broader economic masterplan to do away with the Bretton Woods model of international economic governance and its implications for US dollar hegemony.
Vance pushes for US dominance over AI.
At the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit held in Paris this week, JD Vance, in his first speech to foreign powers, outlined the Administration’s vision for US domination of AI in software design, hardware chips and tech policy, rebuking the European Union for “excessive regulation” of the technology that has raised numerous ethical concerns. At the summit, the US and UK refused to sign an agreement made by over 60 countries to ensure that developing AI technology would be “open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy, taking into account international frameworks for all” and “making AI sustainable for people and the planet.” Amongst the international discussions on the future of the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump has set his eyes on Ukraine’s rare earth mineral resources, offering $500 billion in continued US military aid in exchange for mineral deals. Rare earth minerals are essential raw materials for advanced technological hardware, including cell phones, electric cars, and AI processing chips.
Transgender references removed from Stonewall NPS website.
On Thursday, references to transgender and queer people were removed from the National Park Service website commemorating the Stonewall National Monument, shortening its “LGBTQ+” marker to “LGB.” The social media account Alt National Park Service, an unofficial outlet for National Park Service employees, claimed that no NPS staff were involved in the removal of the references, implying the website may have been altered by DOGE or another party. The move was met with outrage across New York and the LGBTQIA+ community as an erasure of history, as reflected in a joint statement from GLAAD and the Stonewall Inn illustrating that “The Stonewall Uprising – a monumental moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights – would not have happened without the leadership of transgender and gender non-conforming people” and that “the tireless work of Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and countless other trans women of color paved the way and continue to inspire us.”
Venn Diagram of Trump Administration actions over the first 23 days.
Data analyst and UCL Professor Christina Pagel has published a helpful Venn Diagram and tables of all actions the Trump Administration has taken over its first 23 days, categorizing the actions within various spheres of impacts on democracy and how they align with an authoritarian regime’s playbook. View and download the Venn diagram below:
MOVEMENT TRACKER
Clergy and faith leaders take action against Trump orders and community repression.
This week, clergy and leaders from many different faiths took action against the Trump Administration’s agenda. On Tuesday, Pope Francis issued a letter to US Catholic bishops criticizing the Trump Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda as a “major crisis,” urging US Catholics to resist the criminalization and persecution of migrants, and calling out Catholic Vice President JD Vance specifically on his embrace of America First and MAGA ideology. The newly appointed Catholic Archbishop of Detroit, Edward Weisenburger, suggested this week that the Church should issue “canonical penalties,” including excommunication from the Catholic Church, for Catholics who “are involved in” Trump-era deportations and immigration enforcement actions. Also on Tuesday, 27 Christian and Jewish groups spanning a wide range of denominations, from the Episcopal Church and Reform Judaism to Mennonites and Unitarian Universalists, filed a lawsuit challenging a Trump Administration move to allow ICE raids in houses of worship. Some Evangelical leaders, including faith leaders of communities of color, are speaking out against Trump’s immigration policies as well as the freeze on foreign aid. On Thursday, a coalition of over 350 Jewish rabbis, artists, philanthropists and private citizens took out a full-page ad in the New York Times denouncing Trump’s plan for ethnic cleansing in Gaza; they are welcoming new sign-ons to the coalition via SayNoToEthnicCleansing.org and promoting InOurNameCampaign.org to support Palestinian-led reconstruction of Gaza.
Superbowl protestor speaks out about his Palestine-Sudan action.
Zül-Qarnaįn Nantambu, the backup dancer at Kendrick Lamar’s Superbowl halftime show who was removed from the stadium and permanently banned from NFL games after raising Sudanese and Palestinian flags during the performance, spoke out about his action to “highlight the human suffering” in the two countries, calling for “compassion and empathy.” In his interview with Al Jazeera, he states that “I didn’t feel like I had a choice…I had an opportunity on a grand scale to speak out against a wrong and the suffering of our Muslim brothers and sisters…because we’re connected in Islam and we’re connected with humanity. I wanted to show the solidarity to the people being afflicted and their families…and show them that they’re being remembered in America.”
Grassroots action by rank-and-file Democrats ruffle feathers of mainstream Dems.
On Monday, Axios reports that some Congressional Democrats, including House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, expressed frustration in a closed-door meeting that liberal groups such as MoveOn and Indivisible have been mobilizing thousands of rank-and-file Democrats to deluge their offices with phone calls urging Democratic leaders to “fight harder” and take a more confrontational approach with Trump. Other Congressional Democrats have expressed that they have limited power as a minority party and complain that Democratic constituents are “barking up the wrong tree,” telling callers to “call Republicans instead.” The pressure from rank-and-file Democratic constituents is creating internal tension within the party, as other House Democrats express frustration that Jeffries has not stepped up to be a “national voice” that would fight for their base.
Protest at the CFPB.
Hundreds of federal workers and community members protested this week at the shutdown of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, first on Monday after the CFPB was told to “shut down all work tasks”, and again on Wednesday after termination notices were sent to CFPB workers on Tuesday night. A former USAID worker who attended the protest expressed that “Now they are trying to demolish [the CFPB], which would give companies and businesses free rein to once again impose undue taxes and fees on consumers.”
AFGE workers rally on Capitol Hill.
The American Federation of Government Employees rallied on Tuesday to “protect the civil service” as part of their annual legislative conference held in Washington DC. They were joined at the rally by nearly 30 lawmakers who pledged to fight to keep federal workers in their jobs. The AFGE represents over 321,000 federal workers and celebrated the highest union membership in their history this week as they pledged to continue fighting the Trump Administration’s purge of the federal workforce.
NEA and AFT hold rally in Capitol to save Department of Education.
On Wednesday, over 150 educators, parents, lawmakers and community leaders organized by the National Education Association protested in the Capitol to protect students and public schools against Trump and DOGE’s dismantling of the Department of Education and cuts to federal funding for essential school programs. The American Federation of Teachers also held a press conference on Wednesday calling to prevent Elon Musk and DOGE’s access to sensitive education data at the DOE.
Secretary of Defense Hesgeth met with protests from military families in Germany.
Newly appointed Secretary of Defense Paul Hesgeth was booed and heckled by military families as he arrived at the US European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Protestors chanted “DEI” at Hesgeth, who has banned Black History Month celebrations and other multicultural activities at military bases. Also at the Stuttgart base, 55 students walked out of the Patch middle school in protest of Hesgeth’s visit. This marks the first time a US Secretary of Defense has been protested at a military facility.
Protest at Tesla dealerships nationwide called for February 15.
A call has been sent for “Tesla Takedown” protest actions at Tesla dealerships across the country at 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 15th to take action against Elon Musk’s influence in the government and his conflicts of interest, encouraging Tesla owners and shareholders to divest in the company. A map of actions can be found here, and more information can be found by searching for #TeslaTakeover or #TeslaTakedown on Bluesky.
50501 Movement calls for national protests on President’s Day February 17.
The emerging 50501 Movement, which organized national actions to protest Trump on February 5, is calling for a “Not My President” Day of Action on February 17 across the country. Information on local and regional actions can be found at https://events.pol-rev.com/ and on 50501’s pages on Reddit and Bluesky.
Federal employees organize a National Day of Action for February 19.
The Federal Unionists Network, a coalition of federal employees, unions and community supporters, is planning a national Day of Action to Save Our Services (SOS) on February 19. Local rallies are planned, along with a virtual action using the hashtag #SaveOurServices. Participants are being encouraged to post selfies on social media with stories about how they, as federal employees, serve the public; and as community supporters, how they benefit from federal services.
Higher education unions call for a Day of Action on February 19.
The multi-union coalition Labor for Higher Education has called for a Nationwide Day of Action to say “Hands Off our Healthcare, Research, and Jobs.” Planned actions in major cities are posted on the coalition’s website, and they are encouraging academic workers and community supporters to get involved in local actions on the website.
The People’s Union calls for Economic Blackout on February 28.
The People’s Union has called for a mass economic blackout action from midnight to midnight on February 28 to protest corporate support for the Trump agenda and the elimination of DEI. Participants are encouraged to not make any purchases online or in stores at major retailers, fast food restaurants, or gas stations for 24 hours, and not to use credit or debit cards for nonessential spending. A list of targeted retailers who have scrapped DEI programs can be found here. More information shared over social media can be found on Bluesky.
Shutdown315 calls for boycotts and strikes starting March 15.
Another group, Shutdown315, is calling for a one-day strike and sustained consumer boycott starting March 15. A map of brands to be boycotted can be found on the group’s Substack website. More information can be found on Reddit, Tiktok, and Bluesky.
GeneralStrikeUS.com collecting strike pledge cards to reach 11 million Americans, or 3.5% of the population, to mount a general strike.
A nationwide coalition has been forming to organize for an eventual National General Strike. The group is collecting strike pledge cards towards a goal of 11 million pledges, based on the “3.5% Rule” theory. The “3.5% Rule” refers to studies of historical social revolutions showing that a critical mass of at least 3.5% of a population involved in a mass social movement has been able to effect widespread social change in a country. Once the goal of 11 million strike pledges has been reached, the coalition will call for a nationwide general strike. The group has collected nearly 250,000 strike pledges in the past two weeks, has established chapters across the country and is gaining momentum by organizing and partnering with other protest organizations and spreading awareness on social media. They have posted an online packet of resource materials for organizers to get started in their local areas and get information on coalition meetings, and have established a zine website and YouTube channel for radical political education and about the power of the General Strike. They are also organizing online through social media channels such as Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and Discord.
Macklemore releases new protest anthem “You Got Me F**ked Up”.
Grammy-winning rap artist Macklemore has released a powerful new protest anthem and video on his Instagram account, calling out the genocide in Palestine, developments in America under the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s Nazi salute, as well as images hearkening back to the traditions of radical protest in the United States.
