Uncertainty Plagues Trump Administration
San Diego Resistance Calendar May 22- 31, 2025 + Local No Kings June 14 Events
The long haul is on, meaning that those who expected the Trump regime to crumble are now sitting on the sidelines doing little and (all-to-often) saying much.
What we see in DC right now didn’t just come about with the election of Donald Trump. A right/righteous coalition’s been working together since the days of Ronald Reagan, and although they may appear to be at the top of their game, cracks are appearing now that things are getting real. And the movement for inequality goes back to our nation’s founding.
The Huge Horrible House version of a budget bill holds the center of attention for now. It would be the largest upward transfer of wealth in US history, hollowing out aspects of the social safety net, education, healthcare, scientific research, and paving the way for the tech-monarchy desired by the nation’s ultra-wealthy.
A Congressional Budget Office analysis of the budget confirms this view.
I have no doubt it passed the House of Representatives once the Presidential henchmen found a way for nay-sayers to swallow their pride. And it’s fair to bet they voted on legislation most of them have never actually read.
Getting this bill through the Senate is another story altogether. Although the “reconciliation” process allows legislation to move through with a simple majority, it has stipulations having the effect of limiting the scope of what’s allowed. What’s important here is that all aspects of the “budget” bill must deal with funding; extraneous amendments would mean 60 votes are required in the Senate. There will be at least another six weeks of haggling and refereeing ahead of any final bill.
One thing and one thing alone will determine the “success” of this audacious attempt to screw much of the country: the President’s perceived power. The courts have often said the right things about what he can and can’t do, but have been real squishy about enforcing those rulings and drawing lines in the sand.
There are parts of any political equation that exist outside government, and they include public support, foreign policy repercussions, and finance.
Public support is a tricky subject. It’s not just about polls, it’s about what people care about in their daily lives; the cost of living, the quality of their existence, and affection for family members, especially children. When people understand that something is threatening (like all the supposed terrorists hiding amidst migrants), they’ll change their attitudes. Politicians have been preaching doom and gloom about their opponents’ proposals forever, and merely saying something negative no longer suffices.
Protest plays a role in that it can amplify sentiment, and the excesses of the Trump administration provide daily fuel to feed the fires of discontent. How much protest is needed is generally thought of to be 3.5% of the population expressing discontent on a continuing basis.
If and when the empty shelves in stores appear, that will cause more certainty in opposition to the whack-a-doodle tariffs in force. Walmart won’t eat profits on individual items (other than in a performative sense) for very long before they just stop ordering those items.
Inflation, another likely possibility, is one of those things that are felt as much as actual. And if the Federal Reserve’s assessment on “stagflation” is correct people will be unhappy. This is a big part of what drove voters to throw Jimmy Carter out after one term (even if much of it was triggered during the Nixon administration).
What I believe poses the most immediate danger to the stability of the Trump regime, however, is foreign policy. Or I should say, failed foreign policy. Failure to resolve the conflict in Ukraine has upped the determination of European nations, and while their battlefield assistance can’t match that of the US, their economic power can.
Yesterday, Europe announced the most sweeping sanctions package to date. In a single move, it blacklisted nearly all of Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers. And any nation accepting that fleet’s cargo will also be subject to sanctions. (Obviously, China won’t care, but India is another matter altogether.)
Via Shankar Narayan:
Last week, Europe was preparing to act. They gave Putin a 24-hour ultimatum: agree to a 30-day ceasefire or face new sanctions. Then Trump barged in. Out of nowhere, he told Ukraine to start negotiations. “Immediately,” he ordered. Kyiv complied, sending a delegation to Istanbul. Russia showed up, demanded full Ukrainian surrender, and walked. On Monday, Trump called Putin’s refusal to cease fire “excellent” — and took himself out of the peace process entirely.
The very next day, Europe stopped waiting. No more stalling. No more diplomatic charades. They hit Russia’s oil machine hard. After watching Trump fumble, bluff, and retreat, the Europeans finally saw the writing on the wall. For once, they didn’t dither. They acted.
The Russian economy is not good. Limiting their under-the-table income from oil sales isn’t going to help. Instability is a huge danger to trade and world financial markets. It’s not as if Putin will surrender (or win), it’s what gets perceived as possible that can tank stocks and/or inflate commodities.
San Diego Resistance Calendar
I do my best to alert readers to events as fast as I learn of them. If you hear or know of something, let me know: shoot me an email, message me on Facebook, or leave a comment on this post.
***
Thursday
5/22 - El Cajon Dissatisfied with Issa Demonstration, 11am-12:30pm, Corner of Magnolia and Fletcher Parkway. Details.
5/22 -Virtual Event, What's the Plan: A Weekly Discussion w/ Indivisible Co-Founders, Noon, Register Here
5/22 - San Marcos Dissatisfied with Issa Demonstration 3-4pm, Corner of Grand and San Marcos Details
Friday
5/23 - Escondido Dissatisfied with Issa Demonstration, 10:30am - Noon, 221 West Crest Street Details
Sunday
5/25 - Ramona Resist Protest 11am-1pm, 10th & Main Street
5/25 - Picket - Blue Corner Group, Poway 11am-12:30 pm Poway and Community Roads
5/25 - Peaceful Protest - At the Kook Statue, Encinitas - Noon-2pm
5/25 - Support Ukraine Rally at Balboa Park 2-4pm El Cid Statue
5/25 - Getting ready for gun violence awareness month at UUFSD 10-11:30 am, 1036 Solana Dr, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Monday - Memorial Day
5/26 - Virtual Event Newtown Action Alliance - Lunch & Lobby Noon-2pm. Briefing on the latest updates in the gun violence prevention movement followed by calls to Congress. REGISTER
5/26 - Virtual Event Newtown Action Alliance - After Hours lobby session 5-7pm. First-time volunteers are extremely welcome. Actions may change depending on where policy and lobbying currently stand and efforts are most needed. REGISTER
Tuesday
5/27 - Protect Social Security Rally & Protest 11:30am-1pm. Social Security Administration Offices, 7961 University Ave La Mesa. Bring your signs in support of Social Security, and make sure to bring a hat, and your own water. We’ll be on the sidewalk in a relatively sunny location, so a hat will make a big difference. RSVP
5/27 - Virtual Event - Healing and Advocacy in the Face of Gun Violence 4-5:30pm, with Kristopher McLucas, a trauma-informed therapist, educator, and consultant who has worked with survivors of violence and systemic injustice for over a decade. RSVP
5/27 - Demonstrate for our Democracy, 4:30-6:30pm, Corner of Mira Mesa Blvd & Westwood Pkwy Black Mountain Democrats
5/27 - Virtual Event- Housing and Homeless Meeting, League of Women Voters 5pm, Zoom Link
Wednesday
5/28 - Virtual Event - Utility Justice 101 Training 5-6:30pm. Presentation and discussion: What is an electric & gas utility, and what is utility justice? The problems our utilities create and how to solve them Why are my electric bills so expensive? How utilities leverage political power, and how we can fight back! Tickets
Thursday
5/29 - El Cajon Dissatisfied with Issa Demonstration, 11am-12:30pm, Corner of Magnolia and Fletcher Parkway. Details.
5/29 - Virtual Event, What's the Plan: A Weekly Discussion w/ Indivisible Co-Founders, Noon, Register Here
5/29 - San Marcos Dissatisfied with Issa Demonstration 3-4pm, Corner of Grand and San Marcos Details
5/29 - Public Power: How Public Power Can Un-Frack Our Future 6-7:30pm First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, Bard Hall, Hillcrest Campus - 4190 Front Street RSVP
Friday
5/30 - Escondido Dissatisfied with Issa Demonstration, 10:30am - Noon, 221 West Crest Street Details
Saturday
5/31 - Vision 2025 Community Summit 10a - 4p Southwestern College 900 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista by Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance (MoGo)
Join us for the Vision 2025 Community Summit—an inspiring and empowering event dedicated to educating and mobilizing community members to counteract Project 2025.
At this transformative summit, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the dangers of Project 2025 and learn proactive strategies to prevent its agenda from taking root in our communities. Engage with expert speakers, participate in dynamic workshops and think tanks, and build valuable advocacy and lobbying skills designed to amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
Together, we'll explore actionable steps to foster inclusion, justice, and systemic change. Whether you're a seasoned activist or new to advocacy, this event offers essential tools and knowledge to help you become an effective leader and powerful advocate.
5/31- Rancho Bernardo Dissatisfied with Issa Demonstration, 11am-12:30pm, Bernardo Center Drive & Rancho Bernardo Road San Diego Bring a friend or 10! This is a great event for newbies to attend. We will have a good time, make new friends and let off a little built up steam.
5/31 - Today's Edition w/ Robert Hubbell (& Julian Indivisible) 1-4pm, Camp Stevens, 1108 Hwy 78 (Banner Road) Join Julian Indivisible for a discussion with Robert Hubbell - a dynamic attorney and political commentator renowned for his engaging daily newsletter, where he distills complex political issues into insightful and accessible commentary, empowering readers to navigate the ever-changing political landscape. Limited capacity RSVP
UPCOMING EVENTS
6/1 - Change Begins With ME June Meeting, 4-5:30pm Choice Voting in San Diego:
Making government more accountable and representative. REGISTER
6/6 - Rally for Veterans in Coronado 2pm Speckles Park
Veterans and military family members are being fired by the thousands from federal jobs. Our healthcare is being gutted. Our benefits are under siege.
This isn't the first time veterans have had to fight for what was promised. From the Bonus Army of 1932 to the battles for the GI Bill and Agent Orange care, veterans have always led the charge for justice. Now, it's our turn. coronadorallyforvets.org
NO KINGS DAY -What it is…
In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings. NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies. We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts. They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.
🚨On Saturday, June 14, we’re taking to the streets nationwide. We’re not gathering to feed his ego. We’re building a movement that leaves him behind.🚨
The flag doesn’t belong to Donald Trump. It belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it.
On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings. Check out nokings.org for more information.
A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
6/14 No Kings, No Dictators, No Exceptions 10am - Noon Waterfront Park
1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego
6/14 - No Kings Civic Center Plaza 10am - 1pm Organized by Progressive Democrats of America (Both San Diego groups will meet up during march & rally together at Waterfront Park)
6/14 - No Kings San Marcos 4:15-5:30pm Corner Grand and West San Marcos Boulevard SIGN UP
6/14 - No Kings Ramona 3:30-5:30pm Southwest Corner of the intersection of !0th Street and Main Street SIGN UP
6/14 - No Kings Mira Mesa 11am Corner of Mira Mesa Blvd & Westview Pkwy (10782 Westview Pkwy) SIGN UP
6/14 - No Kings Del Mar 10am-Noon (Carmel Valley) Intersection of Del Mar Heights & Carmel Country Rds SIGN UP
6/14 - No Kings Rancho Bernardo 11am-12:30pm Bernardo Center Drive & Rancho Bernardo Road SIGN UP
6/14 - No Kings Oceanside 10am-Noon North Coast Highway & Pier View Way SIGN UP
6/14 - No Kings Escondido 10am-Noon Grape Day Park 321 N. Broadway, Escondido SIGN UP
6/14 - No Kings at The Duck Pond (Temecula) 11am-1pm 28250 Ynez Road SIGN UP
6/14 - No Kings El Centro 9-11am Main Street and Imperial Avenue SIGN UP
