I will host my regular Saturday livestream at 9 am Pacific / Noon Eastern. Submit questions here.
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Beware of impostors! Readers have reported that someone using a variant of my name and profile is “following” them on Substack and then asking them to continue a private discussion on the encrypted chat platform Signal. The imposter uses my name with various misspellings—like Robbert_Hubbell, Robert_Hubble, RøbertHubbell, or Robert Hubbeii. As much as I appreciate you, I will not follow you on Substack, and I will never ask you to use an encrypted app for a private conversation. If you receive a suspicious request from someone purporting to be, please forward the communication to me at my real email address, rbhubbell@gmail.com.
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Although Trump’s illegal war on Iran continues to dominate the headlines, there were several positive developments on Friday for those defending democracy. Let’s take a quick look at stories demonstrating the growing resistance to Trump’s attack on the Constitution and the rule of law.
US District Judge quashes subpoena from grand jury directed to Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
US District Judge James Boasberg issued a stinging rebuke to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro in an order quashing two grand jury subpoenas directed to Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Judge Boasberg wrote,
There is abundant evidence that the subpoenas’ dominant (if not sole) purpose is to harass and pressure Powell either to yield to the president or to resign and make way for a Fed chair who will.
On the other side of the scale, the government has offered no evidence whatsoever that Powell committed any crime other than displeasing the president.
It is extraordinary for a judge to quash a grand jury subpoena, but here, the bad-faith action by Jeanine Pirro was manifest. Judge Boasberg’s ruling is here. The judge relied extensively on comments made by Trump as part of his pressure campaign on Powell to lower the interest rate. Trump’s comments baselessly accused Powell of fraud in the construction of a new headquarters building for the Fed.
Indeed, the opinion begins by quoting Trump’s attacks on Jerome Powell. After quoting one of Trump’s unhinged rants on Truth Social attacking Powell, Judge Boasberg wrote,
That is one of at least 100 statements that the President or his deputies have made attacking the Chair of the Federal Reserve and pressuring him to lower interest rates. Perhaps it comes as no surprise, then, that the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office has recently opened a criminal investigation into Powell. [¶¶]
The Court must thus conclude that the asserted justifications for these subpoenas are mere pretexts.
Pirro said she would appeal the ruling. Republican Senator Thom Tillis has said he would block any Trump nomination to appoint a new member or promote an existing member to chair of the Fed Board of Governors, so long as the criminal investigation of the Fed is ongoing (which would include an appeal of Judge Boasberg’s ruling).
US district courts continue to serve as important firewalls insulating the Constitution and the rule of law from Trump’s attacks. Every opinion finding that Trump and his U.S. attorneys acted in bad faith to harass his political enemies makes it more likely that a future ruling will find likewise.
Democrats continue their string of flipping seats in state legislatures
A Democrat flipped a seat in the New Hampshire state legislature—marking the 28th flipped seat at the state legislative level by Democrats during Trump’s second term. Republicans have flipped zero Democratic state legislative seats during that same time period. See Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, NH Democrat Delivers Stunning Flip in GOP Territory, Marking Latest Rebuke to GOP in Special Elections.
Small changes in statehouses can make a huge difference in the lives of citizens in red states. For example, if a single flipped seat breaks a Republican supermajority in the state legislature, Republicans will need Democratic support to confirm nominees and pass legislation. See, for example, The Hill, Catelin Drey wins Iowa state Senate seat, breaking Republican supermajority. (“In particular, the extra Democratic vote . . . will ensure nominees from the governor can’t get approved on a party-line vote.”)
The string of flipped seats is encouraging because they represent real votes in real elections in red states. Polling for November 2026 is consistent with actual results over the last year. In a surprise polling development, the Democratic candidate for governor in Ohio has flipped a polling deficit into a polling lead. See Tiffin Ohio, Poll: Acton leads Ramaswamy by 10 points in Ohio gov race.
Per Tiffin Ohio,
A new poll of likely November 2026 Ohio voters shows Democrat Amy Acton leading Republican Vivek Ramaswamy by 10 percentage points in the race for governor — a striking reversal from just six months ago, when Ramaswamy held a double-digit lead of his own.
Ramaswamy is a weak Republican candidate for many reasons, but a 20-point swing is a rarity in politics. The last time Ohio elected a Democratic governor was in 2006, so even a 10-point advantage at this point cannot guarantee success for Democrat Amy Acton. But if ever there was a year for Democrats to flip the governorship in Ohio, this is it.
And, of course, Sherrod Brown is running in the special election for an Ohio Senate seat — the one held by appointed Republican Jon Husted.
Like Acton, Sherrod Brown has overcome an early deficit to hold a narrow lead over Husted (albeit within the margin of error). Sherrod Brown is a formidable campaigner with a track record of success in Ohio, and Husted has been a reliable Trump ally, supporting many policies that are actively harming Ohio farmers — including the Trump tariffs that have caused Ohio farmers to lose nearly three-quarters of their Chinese export sales, with soybean farmers alone losing 85% of their China exports. See, e.g., Ohio Capital Journal, (12/16/25), Ohio farmers see one-year, 74% loss in Chinese sales due largely to Trump tariffs, report shows.
Here’s my point: Yes, we are enduring tough times as Trump wields his power as Commander-in-Chief on the foreign stage. But as he does so, his unpopular policies are significantly shifting the state-level dynamic in terms of actual and likely results. Democratic inroads at the state level are an important step in reestablishing the rule of law. On a tough weekend, let’s be grateful for the progress we are making.
And yet, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for the 14th day, the largest disruption in global oil tanker trade in history. In a statement of profound stupidity, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said, “The only thing prohibiting transit in the straits right now is Iran shooting at shipping.”
What?! The reasonthe Strait of Hormuz is closed is that Iran is shooting at ships. Saying “that is the only reason” the Strait is closed is like saying, “The only reason a dropped rock falls toward earth is because of gravity.” It is a nonsensical, circular statement that suggests a dim intellect.
Hegseth said several stupid and dangerous things on Friday. During a news conference, he said that the US “would give no quarter” to Iranians. In military and legal terms, “giving no quarter” means “refusing to spare the life of anyone, even persons manifestly unable to defend themselves or who clearly express their intention to surrender.” Threatening to “give no quarter” is a war crime, even according to the Department of Defense’s Law of War Manual. See Raw Story, Legal experts alarmed over Pete Hegseth’s ‘no quarter’ statement.
But apart from the legal ramifications, telling the Iranians that the US will not follow the law of war and will commit war crimes invites retribution in kind. In threatening to commit war crimes, Hegseth is making all Americans and soldiers in combat less safe by telling our adversary that “no rules apply” in the conduct of the war.
During a Fox News interview, the following exchange occurred:
“You think Putin is helping them?” Kilmeade asked.
“I think [Putin] might be helping [Iran] a little bit, yeah, I guess, and he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” Trump said.
“And you are, right?” Kilmeade asked.
“Yeah, we’re helping [Ukraine] also, and so [Putin] says that, and China would say the same thing, you know. It’s like, hey, [Russia] does it, and we do it, in all fairness. [Russia] does it, and we do it,” the president responded.
Even though Trump acknowledges that Russia is aiding Iran in targeting US soldiers in the Middle East, Trump just lifted sanctions on Russian seaborne oil—resulting in a historic windfall to Russia of temporary access to markets when oil prices are nearing historic highs. See CNN, Oil prices stay high despite US temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea.
The war took a significant step toward the destruction of oil infrastructure in the Middle East. Trump announced Friday that the US had destroyed Iranian military assets on Kharg Island, which is home to significant oil processing plants. Iran, in turn, threatened to destroy the oil infrastructure of any US ally in the region. See The Guardian, Middle East crisis live: Iran threatens to attack US-linked oil targets after strikes on its Kharg Island.
Pete Hegseth lashed out at the press for its coverage of the tragic stories emerging from the war. After criticizing CNN for a particular headline, Hegseth said,
“More fake news from CNN, reports that the Trump administration ‘underestimated’ the Iran war’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz. Patently ridiculous, of course. It’s a fundamentally unserious report. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.”
I have highlighted the last sentence of Hegseth’s statement because “it says the quiet part out loud,” i.e., that when the Ellisons take over CNN, through its acquisition of Warner Bros., Hegseth expects David Ellison to ensure CNN does not publish stories critical of the Trump administration. See Raw Story, Pete Hegseth accused of ‘shouting the quiet part out loud’ with one remark during new rant.
Opportunity for reader engagement
Drawing the Line: An Evening with Political Cartoonists
When: Thursday, March 19, 8 pm ET, a virtual event online.
Hear from three award-winning political cartoonists on how they practice their craft, skewering the powerful, with a government increasingly hostile to a free press:
Ann Telnaes, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and advocate for press freedom
Tom Tomorrow, award-winning creator of This Modern World
Seniors Taking Action is announcing the first ever “Senior to Senior“ postcard writing campaign. With a message about the cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, the plan is to motivate older voters to register and vote.
The campaign is beginning in Iowa and New York, two states with significant older populations. It will be rolled out to many more states in the near future.
These are hard days. Each night as I prepare to send the newsletter, I sort through my email to find photos from dedicated volunteers standing on roadsides and overpasses to spread the word of resistance. They are living examples of what it will take to reclaim our democracy.
Every day they inspire me. More importantly, every day I receive notes and comments from readers who say that the photos of protesters are the favorite part of the newsletter. Readers say the photos give them hope and make them feel as though they are part of a larger resistance community that will prevail.
For those readers sending in photos, you should know that your work is making a difference in the hearts and minds of Americans you will never know or meet. Bless you for what you do! You are living examples of patriotism and fealty. I thank you. Your fellow Americans thank you. Your country thanks you.
Keep up the good work!
Talk to you on Saturday morning.
Pro-Democracy protest photos
[Email photos to rbhubbell@gmail.com. Include city and state. No photos of minors, please.]
3/13 in Victorville, CA.
Weekly Friday Demonstration in Cary, N.C.
Sonoma County Indivisible Visibility Brigade We are out every Tuesday-Thursday!
Engaged Defenders 4 Democracy (ED4D) Freedom Friday Brier Creek, Raleigh NC Every Friday, 40 or more of us.
Tonight I finished my 2025 taxes and will head to the accountant after your live session in the morning. Of course, who wants to do their taxes...ever...but especially so this year.
I kept thinking about where my money is going and got sick thinking about the icky parts that are fueling everything that is so horrific. So to counter that, I go to places that hold hope, like providing food for immigrant families that are so afraid to leave their apartments. It is a small group of us; one woman has a house with pantry space. Some of us shop, some of us distribute. Just a handful of families in need, but I absolutely love whipping the shopping cart through those aisles and filling the orders! Just a small thing that makes me feel like my money can make a difference and bring a few families closer to community-based care.
We have stood On the Bridge (literally and, I hope, figuratively) in Cherryfield, Maine every Tuesday since February of 2025. Last Tuesday, Graham Platner, the favored Democratic Senate candidate running against longtime incumbent Susan Collins, joined us for nearly 30 minutes on his way to a full day of scheduled events
A pop-up protest on well-travelled Rt 179. Many thumbs up & honks from tourists & residents alike.
For next protest 3/21 & No Kings 3/28 in Hilton Head,SC
Here's our weekly Visibility Brigade in Lawrenceville, NJ. Very windy and cold!
Chattanooga Bridge Brigade 3/13/26.
We took on a grim but necessary message today. I did not hear as many honks as usual, but I would not take that as a bad sign.
Another Friday, with almost 50 of us at the Gorman Road Overpass in Howard County, Maryland, over the very busy I-95.
Berkeley Springs, WV
A few days ago a student from Syracuse University drove through town while we were protesting. He was so surprised to see protestors in a small town that he parked and came over to photograph us.
We were proud to tell him that we’d only missed 1 day — a day when 11 inches of snow fell — of protesting since January 4 of this year.
Hanscom Airfield in Lincoln MA
Silver Spring, MD
3/11 Hartford CT VB
Flagstaff, AZ
85 yr.old, unable to hold sign aloft, had pinned to back of her coat in Flagstaff. AZ
Weekly protests in Windsor, VT and Lebanon, NH
photos from Pro democracy rally in Beverly MA
Democracy Bridge Minneapolis has protested every Thursday for over a year
Stone Bridge Resistors, Mt. Vernon, VA
Baltimore Bridge Brigade is in its second year of twice-weekly messages over I-83. This week’s rush-hour messages--one over the northbound, the other over the southbound lanes
.Rochester NY Visibility/ March 12 Received more honks, waves and ✌️ than usual.
These pictures are from the 55th weekly STAND UP & SPEAK OUT protest in Delmar, NY (outside Albany). Fifty plus enthusiastic and dedicated folks turned out during rush hour and elicited so much honking from drivers who agreed with us. Over the past year, during bitter cold and scorching temperatures we’ve formed a resistance community to carry us through this difficult time.
Robert, what you said about the protesters also applies to you!
You are a bight light in a very dark world right now. Thank you.
“…you should know that your work is making a difference in the hearts and minds of Americans you will never know or meet. Bless you for what you do! You are living examples of patriotism and fealty. I thank you. Your fellow Americans thank you. Your country thanks you.”
“Boca Raton City Council member Andy Thomson has been declared the winner of the city’s razor-thin mayoral race after a recount confirmed he defeated political newcomer Mike Liebelson by just five votes.”
“Thomson’s win marks the first time a Democratic-aligned candidate has won Boca Raton’s mayoralty in more than 30 years.”
Robert, what you said about the protesters also applies to you!
You are a bight light in a very dark world right now. Thank you.
“…you should know that your work is making a difference in the hearts and minds of Americans you will never know or meet. Bless you for what you do! You are living examples of patriotism and fealty. I thank you. Your fellow Americans thank you. Your country thanks you.”
Every vote counts.🗳️
“Boca Raton City Council member Andy Thomson has been declared the winner of the city’s razor-thin mayoral race after a recount confirmed he defeated political newcomer Mike Liebelson by just five votes.”
“Thomson’s win marks the first time a Democratic-aligned candidate has won Boca Raton’s mayoralty in more than 30 years.”
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/785255-andy-thomson-wins-boca-raton-mayors-race-after-recount/