The Opposition
Inauguration Day, Donald Trump’s Second Term
Well, today is the day. I’m sitting down to write this just before noon, but by the time you read it Donald Trump will be president… again… If you support freedom, opportunity, democracy, and the rule of law, like me, I assume you’re less than thrilled. I swing back and forth between fear and anger. Fear for my most vulnerable neighbors, anger that so many of my fellow Americans voted for this clown. But brewing below the surface is a powerful righteous indignation that drives me.
We are now The Opposition. It’s a badge I wear with honor. I am steadfast in my opposition to the plans of this returning administration. I oppose the weaponization of government to enact revenge for one man. I oppose the sale of our government to the highest bidder. I oppose the termination of nonpartisan civil servants in order to hire partisan loyalists. I oppose the mass deportation of our hard working community members. I oppose the designation of women and people of color as “DEI Hires” as if only white men can possibly be qualified. I oppose defunding services for our struggling neighbors. I oppose the further degredation of our admittedly flawed democracy. Maybe most of all, I oppose those who quietly acquiesce to this incoming administration.
Though I am a member of the Democratic Party, I don’t consider myself a partisan. Before deciding to run for office, I voiced frustration with the leadership of both parties. Frankly, I still do. I think the loss of this election rests squarely on the shoulders of party leadership. I say this only to make the point that my allegiance lies with my fellow Americans, not with any political party. I don’t want to rehash the election because we have far more important work to do now. For the next few years, our job as The Opposition is to stand unshakably on the side of humanity, regardless of partisan ties.
Now it is 12:01. I’m writing and not watching the inauguration, so I’m not sure exactly when it will happen, but any time now Trump will be our president again. Though honesty, it seemed like he took control long before taking office. He influenced congressional budget negotiations. He started the movement to ban and then “saved” TikTok. He held meetings with world leaders. He orchestrated a memecoin pump and dump scheme that likely made him billions of dollars. It feels like everyone just rolled over and gave up. But let me be clear: Trump did not receive a “mandate” to rule with singular authority. It’s bullshit. First, he barely won the popular vote and the majority of eligible voters sat this race out. More importantly, we do not elect dictators.
I expect this administration will move swiftly in enacting Trump’s agenda. Remember Project 2025? I read over 100 executive orders could be signed today alone. Our dissent is more important that ever. We can not sit quietly while the fabric of our society crumbles. We must take our place as The Opposition incredibly seriously. It is our job to highlight what this administration is doing, because they will obfuscate, play sleight of hand, focus on culture wars, spread fake news, do anything they can to rile us up and keep us focused on the wrong issues. We must stay calm, measured and focused.
We can’t know what the next four years will look like. It could be better or worse than we expect. I can promise you something though, we can hold the line. We will stand in the way, and we will be the reason the worst events don’t come to pass. I know I will be here every day, keeping a sharp eye on this administration and shedding light on what they’d prefer to do in darkness. It will take all of us, sharing our expertise, our insight, our lived experiences, to beat back the worst of this administration. I extend my hand to anyone willing to fight with me for the awesome promise of this country- a government by the people, for the people. Join me in The Opposition.
