Less than two months into the second Trump administration, the nation is witnessing a seismic shift in federal operations, driven by the relentless austerity measures of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Under the guise of “restoring accountability,” the administration is wielding a buzzsaw to slash federal programs, gut agencies, and dismantle decades of progress. Meanwhile, the Democratic establishment remains eerily silent, opting to play political chess rather than stand up for the American people.
The Trump-Musk agenda is not just a series of budget cuts—it’s an all-out assault on the institutions that protect public health, the environment, and social welfare.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) faces a staggering 65% budget reduction, a move that would cripple its ability to combat climate change and pollution. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other critical agencies are also in the crosshairs, risking the nation’s ability to respond to viral threats like bird flu and other emerging crises.
House Republicans, emboldened by the administration’s agenda, have unveiled a budget proposal that prioritizes military spending and immigration enforcement while slashing funding for social programs.
The plan includes a $880 billion cut to the Energy & Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These cuts would devastate millions of Americans who rely on these programs for their survival.
Yet, as the Trump-Musk regime pushes forward with its draconian agenda, the Democratic establishment has chosen to remain largely silent.
Strategists like James Carville have advised Democrats to “play possum,” hoping to appear “better by comparison” in the next election cycle.
Grassroots activists across the country are refusing to wait for political calculations to align. They are taking to the streets, organizing protests, and demanding action.
On Wednesday, March 12th, the People’s Organization For Progress (POP) will rally at the Rodino Federal Building in Newark, New Jersey, to protest the administration’s budget cuts, mass firings, and destructive policies. Lawrence Hamm, POP’s chairman, minced no words in condemning the administration’s actions.
“We vehemently oppose and are abhorred by their proposed attacks on Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, the SNAP program, Pell Grants, the Department of Education, the Veterans Administration, and civil rights offices,” Hamm declared. “This is class warfare against the majority of the people in the U.S. These cuts will hurt working people, poor people, and the middle class the most.”
Hamm also condemned the administration’s racist policies, including the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and the mass incarceration and deportation of undocumented immigrants. “This is not a solution,” he said. “It will only make matters worse while enriching investors in the private prison industry.”
POP’s protest is just the beginning. The group is planning a march on April 4th, the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, and a “people’s convention” on April 26th. Their message is clear: the American people will not stand idly by as their rights and livelihoods are stripped away.
Lisa McCormick, a progressive activist who challenged Senator Bob Menendez in the 2018 Democratic primary, is also sounding the alarm.
She is hosting an organizing party in Flemington, New Jersey, to rally support for Medicare for All and oppose the administration’s reckless dismantling of government agencies.
“Together, we will educate the public, bring new supporters into the campaign, and show the power of our movement at a crucial moment,” McCormick said. She criticized the Democratic leadership for their inaction, noting that most elected Democrats have remained silent as the Trump administration undermines civil liberties and social programs.
“Democrats can’t afford to play dead,” McCormick said. “Liberals in Congress are not going to be rewarded for their powerlessness. Americans must rise to the responsibility of citizenship!”
McCormick also took aim at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, accusing them of waving the white flag instead of fighting for the American people. “This is no way to run a government,” she said. “The chaos of the Trump administration is undermining our national security, global health, and economy.”
Bernie Sanders Inspires the Movement
Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders is taking his message directly to the people. At a rally in Warren, Michigan, Sanders drew a crowd of over 10,000 people as part of his national “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. He warned that the Trump administration is leading the country toward oligarchy, authoritarianism, and kleptocracy.
“The change we need only occurs when ordinary people stand up against oppression and injustice and fight back,” Sanders said. He called on Republicans like U.S. Rep. John James to hold town halls and face their constituents, emphasizing the importance of accountability in a functioning democracy.
A Call to Action
The grassroots movement against the Trump-Musk agenda is growing, but the fight is far from over. As the administration continues to push its destructive policies, the American people must demand more from their leaders.
There is a growing sentiment that Democratic establishment politicians can no longer afford to remain silent, hoping to reap political rewards by default.
“The stakes are too high. The future of our planet, our health, and our democracy hangs in the balance,” McCormick said. “It’s time for all Americans to rise up, speak out, and fight for a government that truly serves the people—not the billionaires.”