344 days. That’s how long I served as Chief of the Autism, ADHD, and Externalizing Disorders Interventions Research Program at NIMH before being illegally terminated—just 21 days before completing my probationary period.
On Friday, I was told to expect a termination letter at 4 PM, after which my access to government systems and email would be immediately cut off. I was warned to download it immediately, because I would need it to file for unemployment before losing access.
I spent Valentine’s Day glued to my computer. 4 PM came. Then 5. Then 9. Nothing.
Finally, at 4:54 PM on Saturday, it came.
"Unfortunately, the Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge, and skills do not fit the Agency’s current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment at the Agency."
This—despite a stellar performance review weeks ago.
This—despite receiving an NIMH Director’s Award.
This—despite being recruited SPECIFICALLY for my subject matter expertise in autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities, clinical trials, and community-based effectiveness research.
After two decades in academic research and advocacy, I was hired to help develop ways to get low-cost, evidence-based mental health care into schools and community settings—so ALL kids could access specialized treatment, not just those with private insurance or parents who could take time off work.
When I left Children’s National, I left behind:
- A tenured associate professor career
- Five active large-scale grants
- 40+ peer-reviewed publications
- A school-based EF curricula I ran through two clinical trills, now used in 15+ districts
- A journal editor position
- A community of the best, most brilliant, selfless colleagues and friends I deeply respect
Life as a woman in science and academia is brutal, but I was part of a mission-driven community—one that fights for fundamental human rights and values differences as assets, not liabilities.
I didn’t take the move to NIMH lightly—I went because I believed in shaping the future of autism and mental health research, impacting policy, and ensuring that science actually reaches the communities that need it most. And I LOVED my job. I found that same community in my division.
Because at the end of the day - EVERY child deserves access to mental health care.
Not just those who can afford it.
Not just those in the "right" zip code.
Not just those who fit neatly into a system built for a select few.
Reaching out with condolences is fine, but we need urgent action. Even if things are not affecting you NOW, I need you to fight for the fundamental human rights of others.
🔹 Call your representatives. Demand accountability. Speak out.
🔹 Download the 5calls.org app. Make your voice heard every day.
🔹Speak out against the injustice of everyone who lost - and will lose - their livelihoods and passions trying to serve others.
"Unfortunately, the Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge, and skills do not fit the Agency’s current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment at the Agency."
This—despite a stellar performance review weeks ago.
This—despite receiving an NIMH Director’s Award.
I hope there will be organizations who will take that on, probably unaffordable for most people, especially when they've lost their jobs. Best wishes!
As a retired school based occupational therapist for Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools I can attest to importance of your work to help families and the children with Autism and other disabilities become productive citizens. I am so sorry that this happened to you personally. Thank you for your dedication and your work.
The name of the Va Tech grad who wrote this statement is Cara Pugilese Gallagher, PhD. My daughter in law was a fellow grad in clinical psych and she sent this to me. Before posting I made sure she was fine with me circulating her story
Thank you! My daughter went thru the same thing on Feb 14 with the same despicable lie as to why she was being terminated. I wrote about it on my blog & like you, I encouraged people to call their Senators & Representatives and gave them the link to “5 Calls.”
To the DOGE IT hirelings, it’s just a name and a number. It’s an eenie, minie, moe technique they use without any knowledge of the employee’s work, expertise, or how it benefits society!
I hope that in time you will be reinstated and I thank you for all you have done and achieved!
I sent the link for this conversation thread to my daughter in law to send to her as I do not have her contact info. I have requested it though, via my daughter in law, so I can send her statement for publishing in the Washington Post and local newspapers here in the Shenandoah Valley
Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. It's beyond horrible to lose you and your expertise and I fear there are many like you out there who will be unceremoniously fired but whose YEARS of experience we badly need. I will fight!!!
Thank you for your work, Mary. And thank you for your story. As they say, numbers numb but stories stick, and each is powerful. We need a MeToo type of hashtag to amplify what Americans are losing with each dismissal. #IWork(ed)4U? #FireMuskInstead? Something better? Ideas welcomed…
Dr Cara Gallagher is the psychologist who lost her job at NIMH, not me. I simply posted her story which my daughter in law sent to me. I regret that I did not identify her initially when I copied and pasted her statement which she had posted on Facebook
I recently send you a letter expressing my concerns about the administration’s disregard for law, integrity, and accountability with respect to freezing congressionally approved funding. Since then, it seems that there are daily reports and developments that are a clear escalation of this financial situation that also carries over to every other aspect of the administration’s actions regarding everything about everything!
I know you don't have a crystal ball, or a magic wand to set things right, and I'm interested in your thoughts on how we can work with this administration to find a solution when it appears that the administration is completely willing to do whatever it pleases without regard for law, integrity, or accountability.
I'm sickened each time I think about what Musk and DOGE have already done to the security of our sensitive and confidential data and that they appear to be continuing without guardrails or any congressional oversight. It doesn't seem like the courts are going to back up integrity or honor either.
When do we call it a coup and take action fitting with the severity of the situation?
Excellent communication. My Congress critter and one of my senators are election deniers who voted not to certify Biden’s election. The other senator is Thom Tillis, who said no one should bellyache about 45 running roughshod over the Constitution. I paraphrased his words. I’ll keep writing every day, but things seem to be getting more lawless and wicked in unbelievable ways.
I am not a Thom Tillis fan. But I do get the sense that he is wrestling with his consciense on what is happening. He was working behind the scenes to foster opposition to the Hegseth nomination. I believe he understands how dangerous this administration is. If any republican senator can be flipped, it's him. And if one gains that courage, it will give permission for others to follow. I will be calling his offices again today.
I think several likely are wrestling, and I think we keep the pressure on--better late than never, and I think it's a mistake to send the message that it's too late to make the right decision. Look at McConnell--two things can be true: I think he'll go down as one of the biggest villains in US history, AND, I welcome his current protests against some of these cabinet nominees. Both can be true.
I just sent this to Sen. Tillis (and also called his office to express my outrage):
Senator Tillis. Are you going to remain silent while President Trump abandons Ukraine and openly supports Putin and Russia? This is a total betrayal of Ukraine, our allies in Europe and our own common sense! What will it take for you to speak up!! To stand up for your constituents and all Americans....especially those currently in the military, veterans and families of those who have served. THIS IS AN INSULT TO ALL AMERICANS. Why President Trump is siding with Putin is less important than the fact that he is. THIS HAS TO STOP! RUSSIA IS NOT OUR FRIEND OR ALLY. Please, Senator Tillis....NOW IS THE TIME! THIS HAS TO BE THE LINE THAT YOU WILL NOT CROSS! Ukraine did not start the war. Russia is the aggressor. The world, and apparently Donald Trump, have run mad, distorting the truth. I don't know whom he thinks he's protecting, but it's not the people of North Carolina. That's your job, Senator Tillis. Please do it! Thank you.
Thank you. Your words helped me craft my own words for Thom “I’m a moderate” Tillis. I am a 💧in the bucket. I call as much (more?) for a sense of my own integrity as I do hoping that either of our awful senators will do the right thing
I live in Maine and I call Collins’ office often. Letting her know how her polls on my little plot of earth are slipping into my septic tank daily. Today I’ll have to give her one of those “dammed if you do, damned if you don’t” and a “Little too much too late”, calls, since she voted to reject Kash Patel, however Mitch voted “For” just so they didn’t have to have Vance come and do a tie breaker.
I doubt he even reads these emails. Rather that staff totals the numbers received and reports how many per subject. "Shame" has gone out of service in recent years. It needs to be reintroduced. Perhaps enough negative letters assigning shame and blame will give him pause. Pick a subject, any subject. RFKJr will certainly expedite the negative effects of his "health" policies on regular folk.
Medicaid cuts will have terrible ripple effects throughout our health care system....jeopardizing the financial viability of doctors' offices, health care clinics, and hospitals, especially rural hospitals, as bad debts and charity cases rise. Closures will result, everyone will suffer.
the thing about staff working in a toxic workplace is they slow down, they to make mistakes, and the thing is that America has term limits and Russia does not. Ultimately time is running out because there are always consequences for actions
I've called Tillis almost every day. Today my message was, "I'm so furious and disappointed that the senator will not stand up to Trump and the dictator he is. He has literally called himself a king on social media. Last I checked, the Constitution was written for the exact purpose of avoiding the situation we find ourselves in right now. I'm begging you, please stand up to Trump."
I have no idea if leaving messages is helping and I'm trying not to sound SUPER angry (so as to avoid defensiveness) but the one I left after he told us to "quit bellyaching" was filled with so much disgust, it was hard to miss.
Hi Jenn, which House district are you in? I'm in NC-14 and went from the wonderful Jeff Jackson to Tim Moore, who was involved in drawing the district maps so he redrew NC-14 for himself. UGH!!
I agree 100% on Tillis and Budd. But I've heard that Tillis is considered the most vulnerable GOP Senator up for re-election in 2026. I have already made a donation to the ActBlue Nominee Fund* for his seat:
We're already calling it a coup. Unfortunately, the only legal action to be taken is impeachment, conviction, and removal from office for treason and other high crimes and misdemeanors. That course isn't available to us right now although there is something of a bill of particulars circulating that should be shared with all of our legislative "leaders" of both parties.
One other thing to both read and share is John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage. While it is arguably somewhat contrived in parts, it's a reminder that there have been times when members of the Senate and, occasionally the House displayed political courage and sadly but willingly paid the political price for it. Our opportunity is to support those few in either party who are making such displays today and ensure that they don't become sacrificial victims. BTW, anyone who can come up with a Republican example will be both appreciated and winner of today's participation prize.
When words fail you take actions. If one of your children is hitting another child you don't sit back, watch, comment, or even try to talk them out of it. You grab them by the hand and stop them.
He (and many) equate money with survival. His force (I don't call it power) is a function of the amount of money he controls. ALL those monies come from you and me. Control the movement of the money you control and you will realize that you control him.
Money represents energy. The more energy you give something, the more of it you will get. EVERY single dollar is a vote. Vote very carefully starting now.
Yes. Learn which companies support trump (Newsweek has one) and don't buy from them. Change your spending patterns. Boycott. Support the economic action that will be taking place on February 28th.
Yes. Offices know that you have to care *a lot* about an issue to go out of your way to call. That means you probably care enough to vote based on the member’s position on this bill. It also helps shape the member’s view of what the public is starting to care a lot about - and public opinion is very influential in driving media coverage and votes."
Very well written - wish I had that restraint and control. I'm just screaming at my viperous representatives. One of my senator (Cornyn) openly mocks his constituents, never checks his voice mail and just leaves it overflowing and unanswered and then sends out chain letter to his constituents saying what a wonderful job the President is doing. .....?
Rhonda, I'm in Texas, too, and I've had the same experience of always getting a voice mail box and SOMEtimes being told even that is full. I have entered into my cell phone contacts Cornyn's other Texas offices and usually find one of those available to take a message.
Try calling his local office. I get the same thing sometimes at both of Missouri's MAGA Senatorial offices in DC but have always gotten through to the office in St. Louis. The other advantage to that is you'll be talking to someone who shares your locale instead of a beltway denizen albeit one who is young, overworked, underpaid and sometimes startled at what we're telling them.
Rhonda and Cathy: I'm also in Texas and have the same experience. Have never reached a human in Cornyn's office, either. A young intern usually an answers Cruz's phone and assures me he gets the messages. It's still worth calling every chance we get. drumpf and felon musk are quickly ruining this country and our relationships with allies. I hate feeling so helpless and am so frustrated by our spineless Congress. I very much appreciate all of you who have posted contact information and ideas.
When I do get a live person to talk to, I tell them that they, too, have to make decisions about THEIR integrity and legacy. No, they are not the boss, but is x position what they really want their efforts to support? Too many people use the excuse that they're just "following orders." That needs to be challenged. I appreciate young conservatives and was one myself decades ago. This is not conservatism--it's overriding the Constitutional order and cruelty, and they are playing a role in those.
There’s an old cartoon with two vultures standing on a bare limb in a dead tree with one saying to the other “Patient my ass, I’m gonna kill something.” I’ve gone down the road of getting aggressive with people and always end up having to clean up the mess it leaves. After DECADES I’m trying another path. It’s not easy to let go nor am I any good at it. About the only thing I have is that I will never quit.
Yes, I've only gotten voice mail box from Marsha Blackburn's office in DC. But, calling all four offices in Tennessee, I at least am getting a staffer, who says the message will be passed along.
I'm in Texas too. Cornyn actually answered one of my emails. His term ends in '27. Didn't bother with Ted Cruz. I'm calling the local office. Here in Texas it's a double whammy with the Texas Lege.
Thank you Bern; I am modifying your excellent letter; I feel like I've been banging my head against the wall with my 3 (Democrat!) legislators in D.C. I keep saying that I have written several times about the coup and things keep getting worse! I even said that on the phone yesterday to a staffer, who of course said "I'll pass your comment on to the Senator". Yah, right
Reminds me of the in the nest of the Aliens scene where the CO hearing from Ripley that they were in a nuclear reactor told the soldiers that they can’t use bullets. One soldier said “What the hell are we supposed to use, harsh language?” Or more commonly said “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.”
I am a certified nurse-midwife and director of a hospital-based midwifery practice in southwest Virginia. Since the late 1990’s, I have worked in maternity care, In Montana, Georgia, California, and Virginia (we were a military family and settled in our home state of Virginia in 2007). I have been a midwife for over 20 years. At my current practice, almost half of the patients I care for in pregnancy and birth depend on Medicaid for their health insurance and about a quarter of people seeing me for their annual exams and other women’s health needs.
Cutting Medicaid will severely reduce critical access to care, not only prenatal and birth care, but also access to Pap smears (which can help identify people at risk for cervical cancer), screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, access to safe and reliable contraception, mammograms, and other critically important health care services. Cutting funding for Medicaid will also hurt hospitals, particularly rural hospitals (which are already struggling).
Even in my semi-rural Appalachian community, our sister hospital closed their L& D unit last year. While my practice continues to see patients in an outpatient office in that community, our patients have to drive almost an hour away, to our L&D unit, when they go into labor.
Cutting Medicaid is a terrible, shortsighted thing to do and will result in tragic consequences for many women and babies who depend on this life-saving coverage. More unplanned pregnancies will result. People will not seek out prenatal care, pregnancy complications will be identified later (or not at all), resulting in more maternal, fetal, and newborn complications and deaths. People will be crushed by medical debt and hospitals and care providers will go unpaid for the services they provide. Serious health conditions will be under-diagnosed and either treated too late or not at all. Our entire nation will suffer from cutting access to Medicaid. This is a critical safety net in our system.
I grew up in SW VA, 75 years ago. One of my earliest memories is of my Grandmother rounding up all 5 young cousins and heading up a holler to celebrate a birthday with a young girl, near our age. She was in an iron lung, a victim of polio, back when there was not yet a vaccine. Only because of research were the vaccines created that eventually protected children around the world. The current maladministration approaches everything with a bull in a china shop approach, Filling the cabinet with patently unqualified appointees such as RFK not only affects critical research into curable afflictions, but endangers the health and well being of all Americans, regardless of wealth an social status. Our senators and representatives must resist this coup, otherwise they will be replaced!
Thank you for your valuable testimony. I used to work for a company that had a manufacturing facility in Southwest VA, which I visited many times. (I also lived for a few years in Western MD). It was eye-opening for someone like me who grew up (and currently lives) in the suburbs of a decent-sized city where services like doctors, specialists, and hospitals were readily available and the only thing you needed to worry about was whether they were in-network for your health insurance.
NC, where I currently live, was late to expand Medicaid - it went into effect in Dec. 2023 after much hard work by Dem. Governor Roy Cooper. (NC has a GOP majority in both houses of the state legislature because of extreme partisan gerrymandering). From a press release in July 2024:
More than half a million North Carolinians have now enrolled in Medicaid expansion since the program began seven months ago. Beneficiaries are now able get the quality health care they need at low cost. Governor Roy Cooper was joined by ... health care advocates to celebrate reaching this major milestone, which had originally been projected to take as long as two years.
I think the uber-wealthy 1) have no loyalty to any one country and 2) believe The End is Near and they will fly off to some remote "safe house" like a minuteman silo or the South Island of New Zealand to wait out the chaos.
But... I read that some wealthy men did hold a session with a futurist to ask: What happens in Year 2 when money is of no use, not even gold, and our private security forces have all the weapons and control over our security systems? I don't think they had a good answer.
I think the answer is The Physically Strongest and Most Ruthless will Survive.
Thank you very much for taking the time to articulate clearly the impact of cuts to Medicaid. I agree with Robert that it is these stories that will eventually make people understand the impact of all of these horrible cuts to spending. I have shared your story.
Not sure if we are allowed to post links, but I’m very very grateful to Bernie Sanders for his direct, clear and bold videos. I wish every American could hear this one. He is a great American. Share it if possible, folks. We need to make Americans more aware.
I wonder if we can put pressure on thr creation of a sort of Shadow Cabinet/Opposition Voice. Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, is becoming a leader to watch in the Democratic Party. The youngest member of the house, he is pushing for democrats to lead not just a minority party, but an opposition party, and to put up an actual fight. Rep. Jasmine Crockett from Texas also shared ideas of having a group of progressive Dems serve as voices of reason and rally citizens. And Bernie of course!
What do you all think? Would love to create a sort of working group with you all!
Ellen here--It may be his intention to cause something that will allow him to invoke martial law and we may not see another election as he stated prior to the last election.. He is being seriously underestimated at our peril. it appears our elected officials (Dems) don't see the endgame.
We pro-democracy citizens are actually kinda lucky. We get to work from inside to subvert the Authoritarians. But we'd better work on our physical fitness, have cash and supplies on hand, and deepen and extend our social networks (in our neighborhoods).
I just finished listening to today's Daily Blast Podcast with Greg Sargent (formerly an opinion writer for WaPo. He interveiwed Brian Beutler, author of the Substack "Off Message". here is a link:
In one way or another, actions taken or proposed by this new regime will affect every member of my immediate family, including myself. The story that resonates with me the most lately, due to my own history with academia, is that of the scientists who have had their academic funding and lab support immediately revoked. Specifically, one early-career researcher, not yet tenure-track, went on record stating that he foresees his research career has been terminated, and that he will not be able to re-enter again. In other words, his entire career and decades-long preparation ended summarily within a week. He believes an entire generation of scientists in the world's leading crucible for scientific talent -- U.S. research institutions -- is now imperiled. It's just . . . incomprehensible, the level of wanton destruction, without provocation nor global advantage.
For me personally, what I find most emotionally raw and painful is Trump's impetuous betrayal of our allies via Ukraine virtually overnight. Even if he chose to shift power away from Ukraine, the treacherous conduct and ignorant decisions are just bonkers, shameful, weakening. It's like he sprinkled poison over friends, family and colleagues alike. Surely upcoming cuts will harm me domestically, but I really resent these extremist blowhards sabotaging the better part of a century's hard fought alliances and mutual enrichment. Unbelievable.
I do want to share this helpful town hall zoom from this evening with Sheldon Whitehouse talking and fielding questions with his constituents in Rhode Island. While the initial congressional reaction to this regime has been piecemeal, some of the Dem senators have actually been very good with pushback. What I found especially insightful from Whitehouse tonight, who led the Democratic delegation in Munich this weekend, was that the majority of reps present -- including some Republicans -- support Ukraine. So it may not play out as is being broadcast, but I do fear the damage that has been wrought.
Senator Whitehouse is a beacon of light. His interventions in the Senate Judicial Committee are always a delight, well informed, witty, convincing, with substance. He should be the ranking member for the Democrats.
I recently spoke to an acquaintance who works in university administration at a tier 1 research school. He said the university can’t do the things it does now without funding. Donors can’t make up the amount of money that is being snatched away wherever you look.
Right. I have attended and worked in R1 research universities. My undergrad institution took in $1.7 billion in federal research funding last year. That does not come from donors or endowments, and cannot be matched. Shutting off the faucet, or even 50% to 15% in discretionary overhead effectively terminates research. It is arbitrary and capricious for researchers, institutions and all the beneficiaries around the world.
In the midst of all this doom, I felt heartened listening to Sen. Whitehouse (happened onto his town hall zoom), Sen. Chris Murphy, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Like AOC says, "We need to be jiggling every door handle to see what opens." "Do not consent in advance. Do not be discouraged in temporary defeats." "It is time for us to kick up state legislatures."--like Iowa did.
I wish Colorado Dems would act or do anything No town halls, not even by telephone. They cannot even manage getting out an email to all those on their mailing list.
I totally agree about CO Dems. Michael Bennett at least asked tough questions during confirmation hearings, but Hickenlooper continues to be his spineless self. Ditto for our reps. We should remember this at election time.
Our local Indivisible group went in person to the office of our Sen. Alex Padilla. He was not in town, but his staffers came out and spent time taking questions and comments. Our other Sen. Adam Schiff does not have a local office set up.
Give Schiff some credit. He’s been doing a lot every day in the Senate and he just got there. Padillla has had years to set up his local offices and that was back in a time of democracy. We left that firm
Senator Schiff does respond to my emails though with some substance. Senator Padilla just sends me a generic message. And it’s hard to leave a vm for either Senator because they only allow a short message! It’s easier with my representative.
Here’s the link to my personal story I wrote on my blog about the impact of Trump/Musk firing federal employees. My daughter was one of the thousands whose job was suddenly & illegally “terminated.”
Linda, my immediate neighbor here in MN was an attorney for the US Fish and Wildlife Service for 30+ years on Indian Treaty Rights - she is Ojibwa and grew up on White Earth Reservation here in MN. We went to dinner last week and chatted about how concerned we are about our retirement - her government pension specifically.
Your daughter’s story is as bad if not worse. At the beginning of her career and summarily just shut down. Can’t imagine how awful that must be. My best to you both.
So sorry to hear your daughter's story Linda. My daughter and several nieces and a nephew are all in science fields. This administration knows not what they have wrought.
This maladministration does not know "what they hath wrought" mostly because neither Trump nor Musk actually knows how the U.S. government works nor do they have a grasp on the ins and outs of the law. Even worse they simply don't care who gets hurt--cruelty is the point.
Linda, I am sorry that your daughter and thousands of others are being illegally terminated. I saw a report about someone working on a national security project being terminated overnight. Politics is becoming up close and personal for millions of people.
Trump didn't change his mind on the Ukraine. He waited for the opportunity. I have maybe missed it being mentioned in the media, but I have not found anyone mentioning Trump's "we want you to do us a favor" phone call to Zelensky in his first administration in order for the Ukraine to receive the funds which had already been allocated to be sent to it. It was Zelensky who stood up to Trump and refused to investigate Hunter Biden or any Biden as Trump wanted him to before Trump would release the funds. It was the discovery of this phone call and attempted coercion which led to Trump's first impeachment...when he should have been removed from office.
This is no switch. This is Trump's cruel retribution. Who will it hurt? Probably hundreds, if not thousands more people in the Ukraine and possibly also in Russia and possibly in Europe and ultimately the US.
The US has elected all kinds of men to be president in its history. But electing Donald Trump, a narcissistic psychopath, twice puts the world as we know it in extreme danger. One month today. The destruction he and those enthralled or terrified by him have already wrought is massive.
Spot on. This was always the plan. It's not surprising, but that doesn't mean it's not absolutely atrocious. And just think - McConnell could have stopped this during the first impeachment. Lots of people could have stopped this. Blood on all their hands. Including the people who didn't show up to vote.
I am finally conceding that Putin must have something on Trump. I have never truly thought we could learn anything worse than what we already know or suspect about trump, all of which only seems to garner him more support. But otherwise why wouldn’t trump take advantage of being the dictator of the strongest country/military in the world? Trump could easily dispense with putin at this point, why wouldn’t he? Either blackmail or some insane psychological need to be part of the big boy dictator club that overrides his constant humiliation by putin.
I heard Congresswoman Crockett suggest a great idea for what Dem’s should be doing. Every day there should be a 20 minute news conference explaining what is happening and the how policy or action impacts people’s lives. That means the Dems need a rapid response comms team that can take what is happening and turned it into brief phrases for all to understand how it impacts their lives! We need excellent speakers such as Crockett, Raskin, Frost, Jeffries, Van Hollen and others.
Include Buttigieg in this group. He is an extraordinary communicator. We need this along with a solid “shadow government” which Timothy Snyder suggests.
As you said, "Clueless Democratic Senators are now expressing regret for having voted for Trump cabinet nominees." I am still so angry at all of them (see Booker, Kaine, Warner, King) who voted for them.
Important to recognize the psychological toll and fatigue this is having on all of us in addition to the specific tragedies, traumas, and FAFOs. Our liberty is already compromised and eclipsed by the urgent imperative to action while managing the fear and confusion, when we should be able to rely on our government office-holders to, if not bring improvements to our lives, at least keep things stable and going and, at the very least, not to destroy everything we have, most importantly, the planet and democracy (!) Instead, we must vigilantly decry and try to mitigate their malevolent behavior. This is madness.
I don't have time to write a longer comment right now. But I am urging people if they can to watch the beginning of last night's Rachel Maddow show governor pritzker of Illinois ended his State of the State speech with an incredibly important address and I believe everyone should be saying that. Robert, I sincerely hope you can put a video of that part of the address in the newsletter. Thank you.
One of my neighbors, a 40 something mom of two boys, is a breast cancer survivor. She was treated at the University of Minnesota hospital and continued to participate in an NIH funded study regarding ongoing treatments. Earlier this week, that funding, along with others totaling $150M dollars were shut down at the U by Elon Musk. One hundred and fifty million dollars in the Medical school alone dealing with several kinds of cancer including childhood cancers, among many studies ranging from experimental drug trials to treat ALS (which my late husband participated in and benefitted from,) to treatments for Alzheimers, Kidney disease, so much more.
Then there are the people who will lose their jobs including medical students, graduate students in a range of disciplines from genomics to anesthesiology, lab technicians, infectious disease specialists, and even adjunct faculty. Not to mention the incredible number of patents created that have led to developments in transplantation, heart implants and monitors - the med tech industry here in Minnesota is huge -Medtronic, St. Jude Medical, tons of other smaller related businesses.
The economic toll is enormous, the human toll - lives lost, jobs lost, research lost, is incalculable.
My neighbor is in shock. She has been an absolute warrior volunteering in the clinic to do everything from fundraising to sharing her story of survival with the community. She is heartbroken, worried the current participants won’t survive, and angry about the utter disregard for human life and decency shown by Musk and Trump.
I’m worried about whether those folks who are participating in the ALS drug trials will be able to continue. The trials were also being conducted at the Mayo Clinic and the Veteran’s hospital in Minneapolis. What about them? ALS is 100% fatal still but the drugs my husband took helped him be able to walk up to the day he died - the drugs extended his dignity and quality of life. I want everyone affected to have that access too.
I can’t describe how rageful I feel. Heartless, gutless bastards, shredding human dignity and safety for more money and petty retribution. Along with my neighbor, we will keep working.
Today, I woke up ashamed to be an American, ashamed of what the president of the United States has done to our reputation as the leader of the free world. If Americans of both political parties do no not rise up and repudiate what Trump has done to our country, then we are doomed.
Agree, I think general strikes are needed. Need to have a mechanism to support our lower income citizens to do this, as they will be most harmed but also have the most to lose in missing even half a day of work. ALL of us who are paying attention and have the capacity to understand the implications (eg/ not those with the average 5th or 6th grade literacy level, sadly) need to participate.
Yes, we do have to take it to the streets. But we MUST keep it non-violent. I believe trump is provoking protest so he has the excuse to invoke martial law. That is the real strategy behind all of the outrageous statements, executive orders and actions.
You should already be there. I don't mean to sound judgmental but we need everybody we can get. bring your friends. Just do it. Three of my friends and I went to Philadelphia and stood in front of the Constitution center 2 weeks ago.
fellow VA Tech grad in clinical psych:
344 days. That’s how long I served as Chief of the Autism, ADHD, and Externalizing Disorders Interventions Research Program at NIMH before being illegally terminated—just 21 days before completing my probationary period.
On Friday, I was told to expect a termination letter at 4 PM, after which my access to government systems and email would be immediately cut off. I was warned to download it immediately, because I would need it to file for unemployment before losing access.
I spent Valentine’s Day glued to my computer. 4 PM came. Then 5. Then 9. Nothing.
Finally, at 4:54 PM on Saturday, it came.
"Unfortunately, the Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge, and skills do not fit the Agency’s current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment at the Agency."
This—despite a stellar performance review weeks ago.
This—despite receiving an NIMH Director’s Award.
This—despite being recruited SPECIFICALLY for my subject matter expertise in autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities, clinical trials, and community-based effectiveness research.
After two decades in academic research and advocacy, I was hired to help develop ways to get low-cost, evidence-based mental health care into schools and community settings—so ALL kids could access specialized treatment, not just those with private insurance or parents who could take time off work.
When I left Children’s National, I left behind:
- A tenured associate professor career
- Five active large-scale grants
- 40+ peer-reviewed publications
- A school-based EF curricula I ran through two clinical trills, now used in 15+ districts
- A journal editor position
- A community of the best, most brilliant, selfless colleagues and friends I deeply respect
Life as a woman in science and academia is brutal, but I was part of a mission-driven community—one that fights for fundamental human rights and values differences as assets, not liabilities.
I didn’t take the move to NIMH lightly—I went because I believed in shaping the future of autism and mental health research, impacting policy, and ensuring that science actually reaches the communities that need it most. And I LOVED my job. I found that same community in my division.
Because at the end of the day - EVERY child deserves access to mental health care.
Not just those who can afford it.
Not just those in the "right" zip code.
Not just those who fit neatly into a system built for a select few.
Reaching out with condolences is fine, but we need urgent action. Even if things are not affecting you NOW, I need you to fight for the fundamental human rights of others.
🔹 Call your representatives. Demand accountability. Speak out.
🔹 Download the 5calls.org app. Make your voice heard every day.
🔹Speak out against the injustice of everyone who lost - and will lose - their livelihoods and passions trying to serve others.
This gives you grounds for a defamation suit:
"Unfortunately, the Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge, and skills do not fit the Agency’s current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment at the Agency."
This—despite a stellar performance review weeks ago.
This—despite receiving an NIMH Director’s Award.
I hope there will be organizations who will take that on, probably unaffordable for most people, especially when they've lost their jobs. Best wishes!
Hopefully the ACLU can file a class action suit for all those fired illegally!
I also suggest contacting Public Citizen and Democracy Forward. They always need people with standing to so they can file suit and support their case.
Please find an attorney and sue them for defamation ... or go on Fox News or Joe Rogan and tell your story
As a retired school based occupational therapist for Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools I can attest to importance of your work to help families and the children with Autism and other disabilities become productive citizens. I am so sorry that this happened to you personally. Thank you for your dedication and your work.
Also, I am calling and urging others to call. I copied your post to share with my "team: now all retired MCPS retirees.
The name of the Va Tech grad who wrote this statement is Cara Pugilese Gallagher, PhD. My daughter in law was a fellow grad in clinical psych and she sent this to me. Before posting I made sure she was fine with me circulating her story
Please forward my comment to her if she is unable to read it, as well as the others.
Thank you! My daughter went thru the same thing on Feb 14 with the same despicable lie as to why she was being terminated. I wrote about it on my blog & like you, I encouraged people to call their Senators & Representatives and gave them the link to “5 Calls.”
We must stop this madness.
To the DOGE IT hirelings, it’s just a name and a number. It’s an eenie, minie, moe technique they use without any knowledge of the employee’s work, expertise, or how it benefits society!
I hope that in time you will be reinstated and I thank you for all you have done and achieved!
I sent the link for this conversation thread to my daughter in law to send to her as I do not have her contact info. I have requested it though, via my daughter in law, so I can send her statement for publishing in the Washington Post and local newspapers here in the Shenandoah Valley
Sorry to say it, but good luck with the Washington Post. They’re in 47’s back pocket.
I know, I guess my request is a challenge to them at the Post. I have submitted the same request to a couple local papers as well
Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. It's beyond horrible to lose you and your expertise and I fear there are many like you out there who will be unceremoniously fired but whose YEARS of experience we badly need. I will fight!!!
All this affects us!!! Action taken daily.
Thank you for your work, Mary. And thank you for your story. As they say, numbers numb but stories stick, and each is powerful. We need a MeToo type of hashtag to amplify what Americans are losing with each dismissal. #IWork(ed)4U? #FireMuskInstead? Something better? Ideas welcomed…
Dr Cara Gallagher is the psychologist who lost her job at NIMH, not me. I simply posted her story which my daughter in law sent to me. I regret that I did not identify her initially when I copied and pasted her statement which she had posted on Facebook
I am so sorry for our collective loss of your skills and expertise.
I sent this to my congressional representatives:
I recently send you a letter expressing my concerns about the administration’s disregard for law, integrity, and accountability with respect to freezing congressionally approved funding. Since then, it seems that there are daily reports and developments that are a clear escalation of this financial situation that also carries over to every other aspect of the administration’s actions regarding everything about everything!
I know you don't have a crystal ball, or a magic wand to set things right, and I'm interested in your thoughts on how we can work with this administration to find a solution when it appears that the administration is completely willing to do whatever it pleases without regard for law, integrity, or accountability.
I'm sickened each time I think about what Musk and DOGE have already done to the security of our sensitive and confidential data and that they appear to be continuing without guardrails or any congressional oversight. It doesn't seem like the courts are going to back up integrity or honor either.
When do we call it a coup and take action fitting with the severity of the situation?
Excellent communication. My Congress critter and one of my senators are election deniers who voted not to certify Biden’s election. The other senator is Thom Tillis, who said no one should bellyache about 45 running roughshod over the Constitution. I paraphrased his words. I’ll keep writing every day, but things seem to be getting more lawless and wicked in unbelievable ways.
I am not a Thom Tillis fan. But I do get the sense that he is wrestling with his consciense on what is happening. He was working behind the scenes to foster opposition to the Hegseth nomination. I believe he understands how dangerous this administration is. If any republican senator can be flipped, it's him. And if one gains that courage, it will give permission for others to follow. I will be calling his offices again today.
I think several likely are wrestling, and I think we keep the pressure on--better late than never, and I think it's a mistake to send the message that it's too late to make the right decision. Look at McConnell--two things can be true: I think he'll go down as one of the biggest villains in US history, AND, I welcome his current protests against some of these cabinet nominees. Both can be true.
I just sent this to Sen. Tillis (and also called his office to express my outrage):
Senator Tillis. Are you going to remain silent while President Trump abandons Ukraine and openly supports Putin and Russia? This is a total betrayal of Ukraine, our allies in Europe and our own common sense! What will it take for you to speak up!! To stand up for your constituents and all Americans....especially those currently in the military, veterans and families of those who have served. THIS IS AN INSULT TO ALL AMERICANS. Why President Trump is siding with Putin is less important than the fact that he is. THIS HAS TO STOP! RUSSIA IS NOT OUR FRIEND OR ALLY. Please, Senator Tillis....NOW IS THE TIME! THIS HAS TO BE THE LINE THAT YOU WILL NOT CROSS! Ukraine did not start the war. Russia is the aggressor. The world, and apparently Donald Trump, have run mad, distorting the truth. I don't know whom he thinks he's protecting, but it's not the people of North Carolina. That's your job, Senator Tillis. Please do it! Thank you.
Thank you. Your words helped me craft my own words for Thom “I’m a moderate” Tillis. I am a 💧in the bucket. I call as much (more?) for a sense of my own integrity as I do hoping that either of our awful senators will do the right thing
I’m right there with you, Colleen. But it seems futile.
Excellent message. I agree that if not this WHEN will he stand up and draw the line?
I often think Thom Tillis is Susan Collins without the pearls to clutch!
I agree! Talk is cheap. Watch what they do....not what they say!
I live in Maine and I call Collins’ office often. Letting her know how her polls on my little plot of earth are slipping into my septic tank daily. Today I’ll have to give her one of those “dammed if you do, damned if you don’t” and a “Little too much too late”, calls, since she voted to reject Kash Patel, however Mitch voted “For” just so they didn’t have to have Vance come and do a tie breaker.
Let us keep up visualizing a much better world!
I just tried calling his office to leave a message and was unable to.
but I will try again tomorrow during office hours.
Excellent letter. I hope he thinks about your words.
Well said, Brewmaster. Thank you.
He’s Thom Spineless. Don’t hold your breath.
I doubt he even reads these emails. Rather that staff totals the numbers received and reports how many per subject. "Shame" has gone out of service in recent years. It needs to be reintroduced. Perhaps enough negative letters assigning shame and blame will give him pause. Pick a subject, any subject. RFKJr will certainly expedite the negative effects of his "health" policies on regular folk.
Medicaid cuts will have terrible ripple effects throughout our health care system....jeopardizing the financial viability of doctors' offices, health care clinics, and hospitals, especially rural hospitals, as bad debts and charity cases rise. Closures will result, everyone will suffer.
the thing about staff working in a toxic workplace is they slow down, they to make mistakes, and the thing is that America has term limits and Russia does not. Ultimately time is running out because there are always consequences for actions
Russia used to have term limits until Putin changed it.
Shows of support for opposition to FFOTUS help stiffen a politician's spine.
I LOATHE him. He’s had his chance to do the right thing and failed. If he flips I’ll give him mercy. Until then he’s just another detestable MAGAT.
Tillis needs to come out from behind the scenes and start fostering opposition right out front and center. I'm tired of these cowards.
Thomas Mills writes about Tillis in https://www.politicsnc.com/
I've called Tillis almost every day. Today my message was, "I'm so furious and disappointed that the senator will not stand up to Trump and the dictator he is. He has literally called himself a king on social media. Last I checked, the Constitution was written for the exact purpose of avoiding the situation we find ourselves in right now. I'm begging you, please stand up to Trump."
I have no idea if leaving messages is helping and I'm trying not to sound SUPER angry (so as to avoid defensiveness) but the one I left after he told us to "quit bellyaching" was filled with so much disgust, it was hard to miss.
I’ve been calling Tillis daily as well. Unfortunately he, as well as Budd are useless
So useless. I also call Budd. They clearly don’t care. I can’t believe they both voted for Patel.
„Quit bellyaching“ is a dismissal, a resort by people who can‘t frame rational reasons for their viewpoints.
Hi Jenn, which House district are you in? I'm in NC-14 and went from the wonderful Jeff Jackson to Tim Moore, who was involved in drawing the district maps so he redrew NC-14 for himself. UGH!!
I agree 100% on Tillis and Budd. But I've heard that Tillis is considered the most vulnerable GOP Senator up for re-election in 2026. I have already made a donation to the ActBlue Nominee Fund* for his seat:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/nc-sen-2026-democratic-nominee-fund-1
* money will go to whichever candidate wins the Democratic primary for that race in 2026.
PROTEST U. S. BETRAYAL OF UKRAINE
LIGHT UP THE LINES
Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
.https://www.foreign.senate.gov/about/membership.
Democratic Leadership
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
Washington, D.C.
Phone: (202) 224-6542
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 486-4430
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Washington D.C.
(202) 225-5936
.https://jeffries.house.gov/contact/.
Democratic National Committee
(202) 863-8000
.https://democrats.org/contact-us/
Senate Democratic Caucus
.https://www.democrats.senate.gov/about-senate-dems/our-caucus.
House Democratic Caucus
.https://www.dems.gov/.
Senate Republican Conference
.https://www.republican.senate.gov/.
We should all be calling our senators and representative EVERY DAY. Keep the pressure on! Overwhelm the switchboards daily!
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4464791-here-are-the-senate-republicans-who-voted-for-the-ukraine-package/
Sen. John Boozman (Ark.)
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.)
Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.)
Sen. Susan Collins (Maine)
Sen. John Cornyn (Texas)
Sen. Kevin Cramer (N.D.)
Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho)
Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa)
Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa)
Sen. John Hoeven (N.D.)
Sen. John Kennedy (La.)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.)
Sen. Jerry Moran (Kan.)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
Sen. James Risch (Idaho)
Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah)
Sen. Mike Rounds (S.D.)
Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska)
Sen. John Thune (S.D.)
Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.)
Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.)
Sen. Todd Young (Ind.)
THANKYOU!
Am sharing this in local newsletter.
This!!! ThankYou.
With a brief message, you can call dozens in an hour.
We're already calling it a coup. Unfortunately, the only legal action to be taken is impeachment, conviction, and removal from office for treason and other high crimes and misdemeanors. That course isn't available to us right now although there is something of a bill of particulars circulating that should be shared with all of our legislative "leaders" of both parties.
One other thing to both read and share is John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage. While it is arguably somewhat contrived in parts, it's a reminder that there have been times when members of the Senate and, occasionally the House displayed political courage and sadly but willingly paid the political price for it. Our opportunity is to support those few in either party who are making such displays today and ensure that they don't become sacrificial victims. BTW, anyone who can come up with a Republican example will be both appreciated and winner of today's participation prize.
When words fail you take actions. If one of your children is hitting another child you don't sit back, watch, comment, or even try to talk them out of it. You grab them by the hand and stop them.
I agree in general Bern, but what actions would be an effective grabbing of president smallhands?
He (and many) equate money with survival. His force (I don't call it power) is a function of the amount of money he controls. ALL those monies come from you and me. Control the movement of the money you control and you will realize that you control him.
Money represents energy. The more energy you give something, the more of it you will get. EVERY single dollar is a vote. Vote very carefully starting now.
Yes. Learn which companies support trump (Newsweek has one) and don't buy from them. Change your spending patterns. Boycott. Support the economic action that will be taking place on February 28th.
Check out the app Goods Unite Us. It lists hundreds of companies and which party they support financially.
What about not paying our federal taxes until the money is spent as appropriated?
I would encourage people to CALL their reps, not email or letter. Unless you have a compelling story, emails and letters are tossed or just form letter returned. When you call, they are required to log your call (give your zip code). Use 5calls.org or read https://emilyinyourphone.substack.com/p/everything-you-need-to-know-about
"Do phone calls really make a difference?
Yes. Offices know that you have to care *a lot* about an issue to go out of your way to call. That means you probably care enough to vote based on the member’s position on this bill. It also helps shape the member’s view of what the public is starting to care a lot about - and public opinion is very influential in driving media coverage and votes."
Calling is more immediately however, when we send emails those become part of public records. That is very important!
Very well written - wish I had that restraint and control. I'm just screaming at my viperous representatives. One of my senator (Cornyn) openly mocks his constituents, never checks his voice mail and just leaves it overflowing and unanswered and then sends out chain letter to his constituents saying what a wonderful job the President is doing. .....?
Rhonda, I'm in Texas, too, and I've had the same experience of always getting a voice mail box and SOMEtimes being told even that is full. I have entered into my cell phone contacts Cornyn's other Texas offices and usually find one of those available to take a message.
Try calling his local office. I get the same thing sometimes at both of Missouri's MAGA Senatorial offices in DC but have always gotten through to the office in St. Louis. The other advantage to that is you'll be talking to someone who shares your locale instead of a beltway denizen albeit one who is young, overworked, underpaid and sometimes startled at what we're telling them.
Rhonda and Cathy: I'm also in Texas and have the same experience. Have never reached a human in Cornyn's office, either. A young intern usually an answers Cruz's phone and assures me he gets the messages. It's still worth calling every chance we get. drumpf and felon musk are quickly ruining this country and our relationships with allies. I hate feeling so helpless and am so frustrated by our spineless Congress. I very much appreciate all of you who have posted contact information and ideas.
When I do get a live person to talk to, I tell them that they, too, have to make decisions about THEIR integrity and legacy. No, they are not the boss, but is x position what they really want their efforts to support? Too many people use the excuse that they're just "following orders." That needs to be challenged. I appreciate young conservatives and was one myself decades ago. This is not conservatism--it's overriding the Constitutional order and cruelty, and they are playing a role in those.
Try showing up at their local offices.
There’s an old cartoon with two vultures standing on a bare limb in a dead tree with one saying to the other “Patient my ass, I’m gonna kill something.” I’ve gone down the road of getting aggressive with people and always end up having to clean up the mess it leaves. After DECADES I’m trying another path. It’s not easy to let go nor am I any good at it. About the only thing I have is that I will never quit.
Try calling his state offices
Yes, I've only gotten voice mail box from Marsha Blackburn's office in DC. But, calling all four offices in Tennessee, I at least am getting a staffer, who says the message will be passed along.
I'm in Texas too. Cornyn actually answered one of my emails. His term ends in '27. Didn't bother with Ted Cruz. I'm calling the local office. Here in Texas it's a double whammy with the Texas Lege.
Yep, I got his form letter response. It is total surrender to Trump/Elon and their evil regime.
In my contacts list they are named Useless and Butthead. Makes me feel better.
It has been a coup since day one, just as Trump said he would be a dictator……….
If you honor a dishonorable intention, are you being honorable? ;)
Thank you Bern; I am modifying your excellent letter; I feel like I've been banging my head against the wall with my 3 (Democrat!) legislators in D.C. I keep saying that I have written several times about the coup and things keep getting worse! I even said that on the phone yesterday to a staffer, who of course said "I'll pass your comment on to the Senator". Yah, right
Isn‘t a coup - even a partially completed coup – grounds for impeachment?
Democrats: do more than merely „deplore“.
Reminds me of the in the nest of the Aliens scene where the CO hearing from Ripley that they were in a nuclear reactor told the soldiers that they can’t use bullets. One soldier said “What the hell are we supposed to use, harsh language?” Or more commonly said “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.”
Who gets to declare it a coup?
Here’s the declaration: It‘s an *attempted coup* … or *a coup in progress*.
Proof read for spelling and grammatical errors before sending. OUTSTANDING letter, Bern!! Consider me SENT 🙂
I am a certified nurse-midwife and director of a hospital-based midwifery practice in southwest Virginia. Since the late 1990’s, I have worked in maternity care, In Montana, Georgia, California, and Virginia (we were a military family and settled in our home state of Virginia in 2007). I have been a midwife for over 20 years. At my current practice, almost half of the patients I care for in pregnancy and birth depend on Medicaid for their health insurance and about a quarter of people seeing me for their annual exams and other women’s health needs.
Cutting Medicaid will severely reduce critical access to care, not only prenatal and birth care, but also access to Pap smears (which can help identify people at risk for cervical cancer), screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, access to safe and reliable contraception, mammograms, and other critically important health care services. Cutting funding for Medicaid will also hurt hospitals, particularly rural hospitals (which are already struggling).
Even in my semi-rural Appalachian community, our sister hospital closed their L& D unit last year. While my practice continues to see patients in an outpatient office in that community, our patients have to drive almost an hour away, to our L&D unit, when they go into labor.
Cutting Medicaid is a terrible, shortsighted thing to do and will result in tragic consequences for many women and babies who depend on this life-saving coverage. More unplanned pregnancies will result. People will not seek out prenatal care, pregnancy complications will be identified later (or not at all), resulting in more maternal, fetal, and newborn complications and deaths. People will be crushed by medical debt and hospitals and care providers will go unpaid for the services they provide. Serious health conditions will be under-diagnosed and either treated too late or not at all. Our entire nation will suffer from cutting access to Medicaid. This is a critical safety net in our system.
I grew up in SW VA, 75 years ago. One of my earliest memories is of my Grandmother rounding up all 5 young cousins and heading up a holler to celebrate a birthday with a young girl, near our age. She was in an iron lung, a victim of polio, back when there was not yet a vaccine. Only because of research were the vaccines created that eventually protected children around the world. The current maladministration approaches everything with a bull in a china shop approach, Filling the cabinet with patently unqualified appointees such as RFK not only affects critical research into curable afflictions, but endangers the health and well being of all Americans, regardless of wealth an social status. Our senators and representatives must resist this coup, otherwise they will be replaced!
So much for all of the pro-life talk.
As we know, it was never about life. Always about controlling women and girls.
pro-forced-birth.
Thank you for your valuable testimony. I used to work for a company that had a manufacturing facility in Southwest VA, which I visited many times. (I also lived for a few years in Western MD). It was eye-opening for someone like me who grew up (and currently lives) in the suburbs of a decent-sized city where services like doctors, specialists, and hospitals were readily available and the only thing you needed to worry about was whether they were in-network for your health insurance.
NC, where I currently live, was late to expand Medicaid - it went into effect in Dec. 2023 after much hard work by Dem. Governor Roy Cooper. (NC has a GOP majority in both houses of the state legislature because of extreme partisan gerrymandering). From a press release in July 2024:
More than half a million North Carolinians have now enrolled in Medicaid expansion since the program began seven months ago. Beneficiaries are now able get the quality health care they need at low cost. Governor Roy Cooper was joined by ... health care advocates to celebrate reaching this major milestone, which had originally been projected to take as long as two years.
https://acasignups.net/24/07/15/north-carolina-aca-medicaid-expansion-breaks-500000-enrollees
I am appalled by the havoc being wrought by Trump, Musk and his minions - all for a tax-cut for the uber-wealthy? Disgusting!
I think the uber-wealthy 1) have no loyalty to any one country and 2) believe The End is Near and they will fly off to some remote "safe house" like a minuteman silo or the South Island of New Zealand to wait out the chaos.
But... I read that some wealthy men did hold a session with a futurist to ask: What happens in Year 2 when money is of no use, not even gold, and our private security forces have all the weapons and control over our security systems? I don't think they had a good answer.
I think the answer is The Physically Strongest and Most Ruthless will Survive.
Send them all to Mars and let them create the society they deserve there.
Yeah, they have multiple penis Rockets to choose from now.
Women and babies will die. It's a given. It's the plan? SMH at the cruelty, which is the point.
Thank you very much for taking the time to articulate clearly the impact of cuts to Medicaid. I agree with Robert that it is these stories that will eventually make people understand the impact of all of these horrible cuts to spending. I have shared your story.
Thank you for sharing this. I will share it as well.
Republicans don’t care.
Not sure if we are allowed to post links, but I’m very very grateful to Bernie Sanders for his direct, clear and bold videos. I wish every American could hear this one. He is a great American. Share it if possible, folks. We need to make Americans more aware.
https://youtu.be/rKBM2kS6B8o
Yes! Bernie has been working relentlessly for us for decades. He is the very definition of a hero.
100% agree. He is one of the few active voices I hear almost daily.
I wonder if we can put pressure on thr creation of a sort of Shadow Cabinet/Opposition Voice. Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, is becoming a leader to watch in the Democratic Party. The youngest member of the house, he is pushing for democrats to lead not just a minority party, but an opposition party, and to put up an actual fight. Rep. Jasmine Crockett from Texas also shared ideas of having a group of progressive Dems serve as voices of reason and rally citizens. And Bernie of course!
What do you all think? Would love to create a sort of working group with you all!
I live in Florida and would definitely be interested. In a working group, especially with the special elections coming up.
Thank you for that link! Bernie does a very good job of setting this mess out clearly, including the potential impacts.
Thank you for the reminder that Bernie Sanders is awesome.
More from Bernie on the oligarchy in America . . . .
https://youtu.be/d_yEAXM9sSE?si=a591LigP5_867doa
Wakeup America!
Congress must regain their sanity and impeach/remove the Trump & Co. criminals from office by whatever constitutional means available to them! ASAP!!
See the following: https://jerryweiss.substack.com/p/to-stop-the-coup-impeach-the-traitor
At the rate these lunatics are dismantling our Democracy, we may not make it to the mid-terms!
Ellen here--It may be his intention to cause something that will allow him to invoke martial law and we may not see another election as he stated prior to the last election.. He is being seriously underestimated at our peril. it appears our elected officials (Dems) don't see the endgame.
The US is now an integral part of a new Axis of Evil... we're actually the bad guys now...
Are we great again, yet?
The US being an integral part of a new Axis of Evil – unfortunately that sums it up pretty accurately.
We pro-democracy citizens are actually kinda lucky. We get to work from inside to subvert the Authoritarians. But we'd better work on our physical fitness, have cash and supplies on hand, and deepen and extend our social networks (in our neighborhoods).
Think like a prepper.
I just finished listening to today's Daily Blast Podcast with Greg Sargent (formerly an opinion writer for WaPo. He interveiwed Brian Beutler, author of the Substack "Off Message". here is a link:
https://newrepublic.com/article/191730/trumps-unnerving-dictator-rant-forces-gopers-inane-contortions
They make some interesting points about how Democrats can leverage the GOPs unwillingness to speak out against Trump's capitulation to Putin.
In one way or another, actions taken or proposed by this new regime will affect every member of my immediate family, including myself. The story that resonates with me the most lately, due to my own history with academia, is that of the scientists who have had their academic funding and lab support immediately revoked. Specifically, one early-career researcher, not yet tenure-track, went on record stating that he foresees his research career has been terminated, and that he will not be able to re-enter again. In other words, his entire career and decades-long preparation ended summarily within a week. He believes an entire generation of scientists in the world's leading crucible for scientific talent -- U.S. research institutions -- is now imperiled. It's just . . . incomprehensible, the level of wanton destruction, without provocation nor global advantage.
For me personally, what I find most emotionally raw and painful is Trump's impetuous betrayal of our allies via Ukraine virtually overnight. Even if he chose to shift power away from Ukraine, the treacherous conduct and ignorant decisions are just bonkers, shameful, weakening. It's like he sprinkled poison over friends, family and colleagues alike. Surely upcoming cuts will harm me domestically, but I really resent these extremist blowhards sabotaging the better part of a century's hard fought alliances and mutual enrichment. Unbelievable.
I do want to share this helpful town hall zoom from this evening with Sheldon Whitehouse talking and fielding questions with his constituents in Rhode Island. While the initial congressional reaction to this regime has been piecemeal, some of the Dem senators have actually been very good with pushback. What I found especially insightful from Whitehouse tonight, who led the Democratic delegation in Munich this weekend, was that the majority of reps present -- including some Republicans -- support Ukraine. So it may not play out as is being broadcast, but I do fear the damage that has been wrought.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If2VZ5YvhH0&pp=ygUTc2hlbGRvbiB3aGl0ZWhvdXNlIA%3D%3D
Senator Whitehouse is a beacon of light. His interventions in the Senate Judicial Committee are always a delight, well informed, witty, convincing, with substance. He should be the ranking member for the Democrats.
I agree wholeheartedly. When I listen to him, or to Raskin in the House, I still feel a glimmer of hope for the future.
Oh, and I forgot: he should be Chairman of the Judiciary Committee after the 2026 elections!
Hear! Hear!
I recently spoke to an acquaintance who works in university administration at a tier 1 research school. He said the university can’t do the things it does now without funding. Donors can’t make up the amount of money that is being snatched away wherever you look.
Right. I have attended and worked in R1 research universities. My undergrad institution took in $1.7 billion in federal research funding last year. That does not come from donors or endowments, and cannot be matched. Shutting off the faucet, or even 50% to 15% in discretionary overhead effectively terminates research. It is arbitrary and capricious for researchers, institutions and all the beneficiaries around the world.
This town hall is the best information I’ve heard recently. Rhode Island is very lucky to have Senator Whitehouse representing them.
Where is the dump Amazon effort? Wouldn’t this be more effective and targeted than Black Out Friday?
We need to do both. And more.
Why not in addition to?
In the midst of all this doom, I felt heartened listening to Sen. Whitehouse (happened onto his town hall zoom), Sen. Chris Murphy, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Like AOC says, "We need to be jiggling every door handle to see what opens." "Do not consent in advance. Do not be discouraged in temporary defeats." "It is time for us to kick up state legislatures."--like Iowa did.
https://youtu.be/Bi64F1T4K5o?si=rZfVOGMSWY2yrk_n
Jasmine Crockett, excellent communicator as well.
I wish Colorado Dems would act or do anything No town halls, not even by telephone. They cannot even manage getting out an email to all those on their mailing list.
I totally agree about CO Dems. Michael Bennett at least asked tough questions during confirmation hearings, but Hickenlooper continues to be his spineless self. Ditto for our reps. We should remember this at election time.
Rep Joe Neguse does
one of the few in CO
Our local Indivisible group went in person to the office of our Sen. Alex Padilla. He was not in town, but his staffers came out and spent time taking questions and comments. Our other Sen. Adam Schiff does not have a local office set up.
Give Schiff some credit. He’s been doing a lot every day in the Senate and he just got there. Padillla has had years to set up his local offices and that was back in a time of democracy. We left that firm
If government one month ago today,
Senator Schiff does respond to my emails though with some substance. Senator Padilla just sends me a generic message. And it’s hard to leave a vm for either Senator because they only allow a short message! It’s easier with my representative.
Jason Crow has open public meetings in Colorado, and email updates. Michael Bennett sends weekly emails and has been speaking up publicly.
Here’s the link to my personal story I wrote on my blog about the impact of Trump/Musk firing federal employees. My daughter was one of the thousands whose job was suddenly & illegally “terminated.”
“When Politics Becomes Personal”
https://lindaspeaks.blog/2025/02/19/when-politics-becomes-personal/
So sorry to hear about your daughter. A powerful post. Everyone should read it.
Thank you Robert. Much appreciated.
Linda, my immediate neighbor here in MN was an attorney for the US Fish and Wildlife Service for 30+ years on Indian Treaty Rights - she is Ojibwa and grew up on White Earth Reservation here in MN. We went to dinner last week and chatted about how concerned we are about our retirement - her government pension specifically.
Your daughter’s story is as bad if not worse. At the beginning of her career and summarily just shut down. Can’t imagine how awful that must be. My best to you both.
Thank you Sheila.
So sorry to hear your daughter's story Linda. My daughter and several nieces and a nephew are all in science fields. This administration knows not what they have wrought.
This maladministration does not know "what they hath wrought" mostly because neither Trump nor Musk actually knows how the U.S. government works nor do they have a grasp on the ins and outs of the law. Even worse they simply don't care who gets hurt--cruelty is the point.
Thanks Lynn.
Linda, I am sorry that your daughter and thousands of others are being illegally terminated. I saw a report about someone working on a national security project being terminated overnight. Politics is becoming up close and personal for millions of people.
Thanks Jenn. Yes, up close and personal for millions. I wonder how Americans will respond to this calamity. Crisis is both danger and opportunity.
tell your daughter to post her story under #Iwasfiredtoday
We need to make uninformed americans aware and build a movement!
Thank you. I will let her know.
Most Americans don’t know what they have until it’s gone.
So true.
I was unable to read it, the message was a server with that particular name was not found. Can someone help me access it?
Katherine M
Trump didn't change his mind on the Ukraine. He waited for the opportunity. I have maybe missed it being mentioned in the media, but I have not found anyone mentioning Trump's "we want you to do us a favor" phone call to Zelensky in his first administration in order for the Ukraine to receive the funds which had already been allocated to be sent to it. It was Zelensky who stood up to Trump and refused to investigate Hunter Biden or any Biden as Trump wanted him to before Trump would release the funds. It was the discovery of this phone call and attempted coercion which led to Trump's first impeachment...when he should have been removed from office.
This is no switch. This is Trump's cruel retribution. Who will it hurt? Probably hundreds, if not thousands more people in the Ukraine and possibly also in Russia and possibly in Europe and ultimately the US.
The US has elected all kinds of men to be president in its history. But electing Donald Trump, a narcissistic psychopath, twice puts the world as we know it in extreme danger. One month today. The destruction he and those enthralled or terrified by him have already wrought is massive.
Spot on. This was always the plan. It's not surprising, but that doesn't mean it's not absolutely atrocious. And just think - McConnell could have stopped this during the first impeachment. Lots of people could have stopped this. Blood on all their hands. Including the people who didn't show up to vote.
All roads lead to Putin. He’s got something on Trump, who is, and always has been, his puppet. I fear for the world.
I am finally conceding that Putin must have something on Trump. I have never truly thought we could learn anything worse than what we already know or suspect about trump, all of which only seems to garner him more support. But otherwise why wouldn’t trump take advantage of being the dictator of the strongest country/military in the world? Trump could easily dispense with putin at this point, why wouldn’t he? Either blackmail or some insane psychological need to be part of the big boy dictator club that overrides his constant humiliation by putin.
I have been thinking about Alexander Vindman for weeks now:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Vindman
I heard Congresswoman Crockett suggest a great idea for what Dem’s should be doing. Every day there should be a 20 minute news conference explaining what is happening and the how policy or action impacts people’s lives. That means the Dems need a rapid response comms team that can take what is happening and turned it into brief phrases for all to understand how it impacts their lives! We need excellent speakers such as Crockett, Raskin, Frost, Jeffries, Van Hollen and others.
Include Buttigieg in this group. He is an extraordinary communicator. We need this along with a solid “shadow government” which Timothy Snyder suggests.
Yes! How can we make this happen? We need to add this demand to our phone calling pressure. Hammer it in every call.
That is what happened at my university with COVID epidemic. Very effective
As you said, "Clueless Democratic Senators are now expressing regret for having voted for Trump cabinet nominees." I am still so angry at all of them (see Booker, Kaine, Warner, King) who voted for them.
Important to recognize the psychological toll and fatigue this is having on all of us in addition to the specific tragedies, traumas, and FAFOs. Our liberty is already compromised and eclipsed by the urgent imperative to action while managing the fear and confusion, when we should be able to rely on our government office-holders to, if not bring improvements to our lives, at least keep things stable and going and, at the very least, not to destroy everything we have, most importantly, the planet and democracy (!) Instead, we must vigilantly decry and try to mitigate their malevolent behavior. This is madness.
I don't have time to write a longer comment right now. But I am urging people if they can to watch the beginning of last night's Rachel Maddow show governor pritzker of Illinois ended his State of the State speech with an incredibly important address and I believe everyone should be saying that. Robert, I sincerely hope you can put a video of that part of the address in the newsletter. Thank you.
Totally agree
https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000195-217e-d96b-abdd-e7ff74720000
One of my neighbors, a 40 something mom of two boys, is a breast cancer survivor. She was treated at the University of Minnesota hospital and continued to participate in an NIH funded study regarding ongoing treatments. Earlier this week, that funding, along with others totaling $150M dollars were shut down at the U by Elon Musk. One hundred and fifty million dollars in the Medical school alone dealing with several kinds of cancer including childhood cancers, among many studies ranging from experimental drug trials to treat ALS (which my late husband participated in and benefitted from,) to treatments for Alzheimers, Kidney disease, so much more.
Then there are the people who will lose their jobs including medical students, graduate students in a range of disciplines from genomics to anesthesiology, lab technicians, infectious disease specialists, and even adjunct faculty. Not to mention the incredible number of patents created that have led to developments in transplantation, heart implants and monitors - the med tech industry here in Minnesota is huge -Medtronic, St. Jude Medical, tons of other smaller related businesses.
The economic toll is enormous, the human toll - lives lost, jobs lost, research lost, is incalculable.
My neighbor is in shock. She has been an absolute warrior volunteering in the clinic to do everything from fundraising to sharing her story of survival with the community. She is heartbroken, worried the current participants won’t survive, and angry about the utter disregard for human life and decency shown by Musk and Trump.
I’m worried about whether those folks who are participating in the ALS drug trials will be able to continue. The trials were also being conducted at the Mayo Clinic and the Veteran’s hospital in Minneapolis. What about them? ALS is 100% fatal still but the drugs my husband took helped him be able to walk up to the day he died - the drugs extended his dignity and quality of life. I want everyone affected to have that access too.
I can’t describe how rageful I feel. Heartless, gutless bastards, shredding human dignity and safety for more money and petty retribution. Along with my neighbor, we will keep working.
Please tell them to post their story! #Iwasfiredtoday
Gotta spread the word!
Today, I woke up ashamed to be an American, ashamed of what the president of the United States has done to our reputation as the leader of the free world. If Americans of both political parties do no not rise up and repudiate what Trump has done to our country, then we are doomed.
Gonna have to take it to the streets pretty soon, I reckon.
No! Take to the streets NOW!
Agree, I think general strikes are needed. Need to have a mechanism to support our lower income citizens to do this, as they will be most harmed but also have the most to lose in missing even half a day of work. ALL of us who are paying attention and have the capacity to understand the implications (eg/ not those with the average 5th or 6th grade literacy level, sadly) need to participate.
Country-wide buying blackout Feb 28. Buy nothing.
Yes, we do have to take it to the streets. But we MUST keep it non-violent. I believe trump is provoking protest so he has the excuse to invoke martial law. That is the real strategy behind all of the outrageous statements, executive orders and actions.
You should already be there. I don't mean to sound judgmental but we need everybody we can get. bring your friends. Just do it. Three of my friends and I went to Philadelphia and stood in front of the Constitution center 2 weeks ago.