# Why little to no (civil) resistance to Trump? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 13, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275 "2025-02-13T17:51:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/21 "2025-02-13T20:19:55Z")
Yet. But when the leopards get started on the faces, face-havers will find out otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/22 "2025-02-13T20:31:24Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > There are no marches and activities from the civil society to be seen? > **[Protesters in cities across the US rally against Trump's policies, Project...](https://apnews.com/article/50501-protests-project-2025-trump-state-capitols-ddd341171a54ba9b498cbfe7530e18ab)** > > Demonstrators have gathered in cities across the U.S. to protest the Trump administration’s early actions. > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Frankly, anyone in power who fails to act on these atrocities because not enough people are protesting can get bent. Write my congressperson? If she don’t know what’s going on, she’s a bigger part of the problem than Trump. The true failure here aren’t the ‘checks and balances’; they are the electorate which, as you note, nearly 70% of which didn’t do the bare fucking minimum of voting against a nakedly authoritarian candidate to literally declared his intention to be a dictator “only on Day One,” (as if strongmen typically give up power voluntarily once they have it), and theGOP-dominated Senate, which in 2020 and 2021 repeatedly voted against conviction of the twice-impeached President Trump for entirely valid reasons of demonstrable corruption and inciting an insurrection, and the Republicans running the House and Senate in 2025 who didn’t immediately introduce and vote upon impeachment and removal when Trump granted pardons and clemency to over 1,500 January 6th insurrectionists. That Constitutional ‘checks and balances’ dividing and restricting government powers and not reigning in the abuse and corruption of Trump and his cotire of cryptid creeps is a natural consequence of electing a candidate who openly derided the rule of law and would rather wipe his ass with the Constitution than spend a second actually reading it, and a political party so in thrall with him that they won’t use the one legal measure that was specifically intended for this circumstance. Laws don’t mean shit if the people who have political power won’t enforce them, and the Republican party has made it abundantly clear that they couldn’t collectively give a good whore’s fuck about laws and civil liberties as long as they are in power. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/23 "2025-02-13T20:50:24Z")
For those who are suffering, my advice is to survive. Focus on that. Above all else just survive. That is resistance enough. I wish you the best. For everyone else, if you are unhappy its time to show your unhappiness and to keep doing it. Doesn’t matter how, where, when, and to who. Just let people know that you are unhappy. That is legitimately the bare minimum. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/24 "2025-02-13T20:54:00Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > There are no marches and activities from the civil society to be seen? There have been marches and activities. The corporate media that got Trump elected and is enabling his fascist desires doesn’t want to talk about them. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/25 "2025-02-13T21:10:17Z")
My friend just shared this Substack post by a civil rights attorney addressing the question in this post, sort of. > **[Democracy is Crumbling. Is Anybody Doing Anything?](https://sherrilyn.substack.com/p/democracy-is-crumbling-is-anybody)** > > Yes. And You Can Too. The writer says " People _are_ doing things. You will meet those people when _you_ start doing things." Good point. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/26 "2025-02-13T21:23:42Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > There are no marches and activities from the civil society to be seen? I’m curious how effective you believe “marches” to be. And what other “activities” do you advise? Serious questions. Speaking for myself, I find it very challenging to figure out what I can possibly do that would have any meaningful effect. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/27 "2025-02-13T21:26:12Z")
So far what I have done is try to limit my purchases to only necessities & calling and emailing my representatives. I am not in a position to attend physical protests but support them. Not sure what else I can do except try to remain calm and survive. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/28 "2025-02-13T21:35:14Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > Let’s not forget that a whole lot more Americans than we thought are indeed deplorable and LIKE what Trump’s doing. Can we finally call a spade a spade and replace “deplorable” with “despicable?” ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/29 "2025-02-13T22:16:46Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I’m curious how effective you believe “marches” to be. And what other “activities” do you advise well, at least itś a statement … e.g. one millón Germán marching in the past week in Berlín against the far right … * * * that kind of thing … [![](https://gdb.voanews.com/dcafffe7-dbdc-40b6-be2d-45e3794d16a1_cx0_cy10_cw0_w1080_h608_s.jpg) ](https://gdb.voanews.com/dcafffe7-dbdc-40b6-be2d-45e3794d16a1_cx0_cy10_cw0_w1080_h608_s.jpg) [![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/4d33dab1724e03e37705d89aaba2ccbc59b1ef8e/5_0_5435_3261/master/5435.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) ](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/4d33dab1724e03e37705d89aaba2ccbc59b1ef8e/5_0_5435_3261/master/5435.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) that is a statement and a very good visual representation as well… . I am wondering what it takes for the Dems to get into gear? or were they really “_surprised_”? … if not them, who should take a leadership role? … lotsa questions here. and concerning its effectiveness: it seems that about 100% of all “revolutions” (in the widest sense of the word (arab spring, etc…)) start this way … so there is a history of effectiveness. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/30 "2025-02-13T22:21:49Z")
When I was 25, I marched and protested for civil rights and to end the Vietnam War. I remember tanks and bored Nat’l Guards sitting in the bushes around campus, and how casually and viciously racist Milwaukee was (still is). And I remember Kent State. When i was 65, I marched for women’s and BLM and LGBTQ rights. I sent $ to candidates, put up yard signs and volunteered to be a poll worker. And voted every damn time. The rest of the country decided they preferred T\*\*\*p and Mitch McConnell, who continued the long con begun in the Gingrich era by packing the federal courts. At 75, I donated $, wrote post cards, put up Harris Walz signs, and voted. And we all know how that turned out. At 76, I 'm terrified, worn out and disgusted with my “fellow” Americans. It’s looking like the marching, donating, protesting and even voting are starting to fit the definition of insanity. Our Boomer tactics aren’t working anymore, if they ever did. Civil resistance is meaningless given the vast financial advantage on the other side. That has to be resolved before democracy can be restored ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/31 "2025-02-13T22:25:29Z")
I’m thinking of some minor US parties that could possibly take leadership roles going toward midterms . They have no pull at election time but some of them are loud enough when they gather for causes. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/32 "2025-02-13T22:25:32Z")
There’s a difference between a lack of action and no media coverage of it. There have been public demonstrations, but you wouldn’t think it from media coverage on traditional outlets. On social media? Sure, but hardly any on traditional outlets. That leaves scale but it’s a big country and politics is still very local. The Democratic Party is, by itself, more or less what a coalition government would look like in other countries. Lots of disparate interest groups, few unifying principles that encompass all of them. Our system of government punishes 3rd parties, so what would be 4 or 5 parties elsewhere band together to create just one party here, which is about as stable as people might expect. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/33 "2025-02-13T22:32:58Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > At 76, I 'm terrified, worn out and disgusted with my “fellow” Americans. It’s looking like the marching, donating, protesting and even voting are starting to fit the definition of insanity. Our Boomer tactics aren’t working anymore, if they ever did. Civil resistance is meaningless given the vast financial advantage on the other side. That has to be resolved before democracy can be restored I am far away, so its easy for me to raise my voice (from behind a keyboard) … but I’d really see somebody creating mass-marches (in peak-hours for weeks on end) … around a certain car-factory in Fremont - just enough to force them into “inefficiency”. my main point being (beyond the example) - if the MAGA play hardball, you need to step up your game as well, instead of offering the other cheek. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/34 "2025-02-13T22:44:05Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > An analogy I saw somewhere else - the American people ordered a dish laden with the worst kind of food poisoning. If another party steps in to save them, saying “you can’t eat this, it’s for your own good”, then they will forever believe you unjustly stole their dessert. It doesn’t work. Our political system doesn’t permit it, human nature doesn’t permit it. > > The people have to eat the dish they ordered, feel the food poisoning, experience the projectile vomiting and diarrhea. Then they _may_ be interested in the cure you’re selling. Not before. Unfortunately, in this analogy, it’s not just them who are eating the salmonella/botulism/listeria food. **We all have to eat it together.** Indeed, we’re being force-fed against our will. They may experience the projectile vomiting and diarrhea, but we’ll have a hard time getting any satisfaction telling them “Well, I told you so” when we ourselves are shitting and puking our guts out. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/35 "2025-02-13T22:54:20Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > I am far away, so its easy for me to raise my voice (from behind a keyboard) Well, that’s the thing, right? There’s a difference between a lack of civil resistance and not seeing what you want to see on traditional media. It’s naturally going to take whatever form works for Americans, which may not match your expectations and may not be covered by traditional media. Note, that’s not just you. I see more than a fair share of Americans making similar complaints on social media, and they get similar responses. A lot of them just need to get off social media and get directly involved and they’ll see there are like-minded people out there doing the same. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/36 "2025-02-13T22:54:56Z")
Most Americans’ lives aren’t affected much by whatever the federal govt decides to do, or not do. State govt has more influence on their daily lives. ---
**Author:** ![LivingGhost371](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/37 "2025-02-13T22:59:28Z")
Even assuming I disagree with Trump, I’m typing on my computer in my nice cozy warm single family detached house in the suburbs, have a Middle Class working from home job, never have real struggles paying my bills. Why would I go out into the cold to protest and get arrested, fired, maybe even injured while protesting? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/38 "2025-02-14T00:07:43Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Unfortunately, in this analogy, it’s not just them who are eating the salmonella/botulism/listeria food. **We all have to eat it together.** Indeed, we’re being force-fed against our will. > > They may experience the projectile vomiting and diarrhea, but we’ll have a hard time getting any satisfaction telling them “Well, I told you so” when we ourselves are shitting and puking our guts out. I can’t argue with that. Yes, we’ll all be affected, and I don’t like any of it one bit. But it doesn’t change the dynamics that I described. Unless someone’s got a plan to simply overrule the MAGAs by force, there’s no peaceful way out of this until they start feeling the pain of their choices. And even then, some of their pain will be alleviated by watching the suffering of others. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/39 "2025-02-14T00:10:50Z")
interesting, nevertheless… > **[Tesla Takeover: protests planned at Tesla stores globally this weekend](https://electrek.co/2025/02/13/tesla-takeover-protests-pla-at-stores-this-weekend-tesla-takeover/)** > > Tesla is being targeted by protests organized at its stores around the globe. The demonstrations planned for this Saturday appear... ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275/40 "2025-02-14T00:12:26Z")
> [@LivingGhost371](#): > > Why would I go out into the cold to protest and get arrested, fired, maybe even injured while protesting? I have protested many times. None of those things happened. In fact, the possibility of such things never occurred to me. (Except one time when getting arrested was the objective. Still didn’t happen) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-little-to-no-civil-resistance-to-trump/1014275.md?page=3)