Local opinion: The value of nationwide mass protests

We are seeing massive, nationwide anti-Trump protests. The “No Kings” million-person-plus turnout on June 14 marked a notable beginning. This was soon followed by the “Good Troubles” demonstration on July 16, an enormous protest on Aug 16, that in Tucson, at least, because of the heat, took the form of a convoy of thousands of vehicles, and a more modest rally on Aug. 24.

Thoughtful observers are asking if the protests do any good. My answer is that the protests not only can be effective, but they are a must. We are in the midst of a breakdown of the rule of law needed for a functioning democracy. President Trump has issued a blizzard of executive orders that are blatantly illegal or test the outer limits of executive power.

The founding fathers envisioned a separation of powers and federal system that would prevent any single branch, or the central government, from abusing its constitutionally delegated authority. However, the checks and balances the founders had in mind are not working. As one chilling example, Trump recently sent the National Guard and some active military troops to Los Angeles, ostensibly to round up immigrants claimed to be in the United States unlawfully.

Local and state authorities filed suit, claiming that Trump’s order violated established law forbidding the use of federal troops domestically. A lower federal court held in favor of the state and local authorities. Trump did not openly defy the federal court order — although he threatened to — instead, he appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court stayed the orders of the lower court.

This is but one of many (at last count, 18-2 in favor of Trump) cases in which the Supreme Court — often invoking the “shadow docket” that leads to decisions without oral argument or briefing by the opposing parties — has sided with Trump.

So, one important check on the abuse of executive power — the courts, at least as far as the Supreme Court has the last word — has failed.

What about Congress? The Republican majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate have shown no inclination to try to stop Trump. On the contrary, they have sided with him to an embarrassing degree. Explaining this behavior is not easy. It seems, at least the leadership, fears retaliation, being “primaried,” or worse. For most, holding on to their positions is more important than saving a struggling democracy. Whatever their individual motives, Congress has failed to check Trump’s excesses. Some, including me, are hopeful that the mid-term elections will produce Democratic Party majorities. However, because of legions of misinformation spread through social media and wholesale political gerrymandering (sanctioned by the Supreme Court), flipping 10 Republican seats is an uphill battle.

This is where protests come in. The Civil Rights Movement, which led to long overdue civil rights legislation, and massive protests opposing the Viet Nam War, which forced Lyndon Johnson to not seek a second term as President, are evidence that sustained, widespread protests can work to pressure public officials who are not performing their sworn official duties. The continuing efforts of organizers such as Indivisible.org, aided by the internet, help assure that the protests are not going away. There is a second “No Kings” protest planned for October 18th, 2025, that could surpass the size of the first. If the growing numbers of outraged citizens leave the comfort of their homes and join the public outcry, Congress can be moved to say enough is enough.

President Trump is dangerously unpredictable, but Congress can deny him the money needed to carry out his unlawful orders. It can even take away the Supreme Court’s power to review, if that should become necessary.

I may be looking for a glimmer of hope in an increasingly dark period in history, but my belief that civic protests can push Congress to do its job is not purely whimsical. We must keep on keeping on.