Resistance in America

The furious rate at which the Trump administration is wreaking havoc in the American government looks very much like the beginning of a nonviolent (so far) coup d'état. American democracy is clearly at risk. In this extremely troublesome situation, it is good to see a strong willingness for resistance among the American people, as indicated by the many protest rallies that have taken place all over the country since January 20. Kudos to all of you!

The responsibility for taking the lead in resisting Trump is of course even greater for key government officials than for ordinary citizens. Attorney-general Sally Yates courageously stood up (in sharp contrast to the spineless behavior of Republican leaders Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell) for the law, the constitution and human decency, but was fired yesterday; I am sure she will continue to contribute to the resistance from elsewhere. There are other high-level officials whom the Trump administration cannot (yet) touch, and I'd like to offer links to some powerful and highly inspirational speeches by some of these:

• Bill de Blasio, mayor of New York City, promises that the city will resist the Trump administration and stand up for the rights of its citizens.
• Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York:
  As a New Yorker, I am a Muslim. As a New Yorker, I am Jewish. As a New Yorker, I am black, I am gay, I am disabled. I am a woman seeking to control her health and her choices, becasue as [New Yorkers] we are one community​.
• Jerry Brown, Governor of California, shows similar steadfastness.
• And here is Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington, at SeaTac Airport, in the midst of the disarray deliberately created by the Trump administration, speaking of the "manifest and unjustifiable chaos and cruelty caused by President Trump's executive order" and its "illegality, unconstitutionality and religious discrimination".

These are role models and leaders, with a willingness to pick up the fight against the ruthless criminals that have now taken over the White House. America has been a positive example to the rest of the world in so many ways, but all this is now at risk. American values and American democracy are worth fighting for. You guys hang in there!