A PLAYBOOK FOR SAVING AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
FROM AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT

Stopping Trump and Project 2025: What we can do
Project 2025, a sweeping plan by far-right conservatives to reshape the federal government under a second Trump administration, has already begun to gut federal agencies, strip civil rights protections, and consolidate power within the executive branch. While traditional methods like legislative oversight and public awareness campaigns are important, Democrats and citizens must take a more aggressive stance to stop Trump from enacting this dangerous agenda that threatens the existence of our democratic government.

Here’s how:

1. Shut Down the Government: Block the Budget One of the most powerful tools Democrats have is the power of the purse. Trump cannot implement Project 2025 without funding. Democrats can refuse to pass a federal budget that includes funding for any of the projects.

• How? They can filibuster spending bills, block appropriations for Trump’s executive actions, and force government shutdowns if necessary.
• Impact: This would cripple Trump’s ability to staff the executive branch with loyalists and block money from being allocated to dismantling agencies like the FBI, DOJ, and EPA.-Risk: A government shutdown would create political fallout, but the alternative—allowing Trump to consolidate power—is far worse. For the budget to pass, there needs to be support from some Democrats. Withholding support would be the single most effective action that can be taken.

2. State Governments Must Resist & Nullify Federal Orders If Trump attempts to enforce radical executive orders at the state level, Democratic governors and attorneys general must resist.

• States can simply refuse to comply with federal orders that violate constitutional rights. Blue states should act as a firewall by passing laws that:
• Prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal crackdowns on immigration, voting rights, or civil liberties.
• Protect government employees from being purged based on Trump loyalty tests.
• Refuse to recognize federal rollbacks of environmental, education, and civil rights protections.

During Trump’s first term, California led the resistance by refusing to enforce immigration policies and environmental rollbacks. More states must follow suit.

3. Mass Strikes, Protests & Direct Action We the citizens must be respond immediately, overwhelmingly, and relentlessly.

• General Strikes – Labor unions, federal employees, and workers in key industries should threaten mass work stoppages if Trump begins gutting government agencies, firing career employees, or undermining democracy.
• Mass Protests – The U.S. must see 2020-style protests on an even larger scale, with millions of people in the streets making it politically impossible for Congress to stay silent.
• Occupy Government Buildings – Peaceful but disruptive sit-ins at federal agencies, courthouses, and state capitols would force media attention and put pressure on lawmakers to intervene.
• Mobilize the traditional Republican base – Send speakers to the Red states informing the electorate of how they are being hurt by the government actions. There are already signs of restlessness among farmers and small businesses that are being deprived of funds promised. We need to amplify and publicize these events and create resistance and opposition from the Republican base.

4. Weaponize the Courts & Sue Constantly Every executive action related to Project 2025 should be met with immediate and overwhelming legal challenges. The goal is to delay, obstruct, and clog the courts so that Trump’s policies remain tied up in litigation.

• Blue state attorneys general must file lawsuits at every turn—against regulatory rollbacks, mass firings, and attempts to centralize executive power.
• Federal employees should file lawsuits en masse if they face ideological purges.
• Voting rights groups must prepare for emergency litigation if Trump tries to manipulate elections or suppress voting.

Tie Trump’s government up in so much legal red tape that he can’t implement his plan.

5. Defund & Disrupt Right-Wing Organizations Project 2025 is being organized by The Heritage Foundation and other far-right think tanks. These groups rely on major corporate and individual donors to operate.

• Expose and pressure donors: Progressive activists must launch coordinated campaigns to expose and shame major corporations funding Heritage and similar groups.
• Boycotts: If companies refuse to cut ties, mass boycotts should follow.
• Target conservative media outlets that push the Project 2025 agenda with advertiser pressure and FCC complaints.

6. Prepare for a Constitutional Crisis Democrats must be prepared for a full-blown constitutional crisis.

• State governments may need to defy federal orders if democracy itself is at risk.
• Mass resistance—including potential government worker strikes—could be necessary. Lastly, withhold our tax payments. Taxes are paid to support government services and support our democracy, not to implement Project 2025.
• The military must be pressured to uphold the Constitution if Trump attempts an authoritarian power grab.

Project 2025 is not just another conservative policy agenda—it is an existential threat to American democracy. Democrats and citizens must do everything in their power to obstruct, delay, and resist.

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