john,

I want you to understand why my colleagues and I say our democracy is at risk in the Trump era. This note is longer than our usual updates, but the topic is very important.

Our country was founded on the rejection of a tyrannical monarchy. Our Founding Fathers fought tooth and nail to build a republic where power rests with the people, not the rulers. I’m grateful every day that we can choose our leaders, speak our minds, and raise our voices when the government loses its way, and hold officials accountable when they betray our values. And I’m very aware that this freedom of expression is not allowed in many parts of the world.

Democracy, though, doesn’t run on autopilot. It relies on people who are engaged, voters who show up, leaders who honor election results, and citizens who refuse to stay silent when our institutions are threatened.

What we’ve seen in just the first hundred days should rattle anyone who cares about the Constitution.

Donald Trump accepted a luxury jet from Qatar as a “gift” while his family business angled for new deals in the Middle East. (That’s called self-dealing and profiting off the presidency.) He has frozen congressionally approved money for vital programs. (That’s called impoundment, and it is illegal.) He has slapped steep tariffs on close allies like Canada and Mexico, which hit Washington workers right in the wallet. (Tariffs are supposed to be determined by Congress except in emergencies, and there’s no emergency.)

He also put his unelected billionaire friend Elon Musk in charge of “trimming” the federal budget—a move that has already shuttered clinics and Head Start programs, kneecapped NIH research, left our forests unprotected, compromised the government’s ability to make sure our food and medications are safe, and cost thousands of jobs. And he’s undermined American leadership in the world, alienating our allies and cozying up to authoritarian adversaries like Vladimir Putin.

But most egregious of all: the President released January 6 insurrectionists from prison on Day 1, and now these most loyal and sometimes violent supporters are in every community ready to carry out his wishes. Now President Trump casually muses about seeking a third term which, of course, is unconstitutional. He called it a joke. I call it a warning.

Some shrug off his boasts as bluster, but the last hundred days prove he does not feel at all constrained by the rule of law. I won’t wait for someone else to step in. Our democracy is too hard-won, and I intend to defend it with the urgency our founders expected of us. Benjamin Franklin knew it would take work to protect this democracy, and that would-be monarchs would threaten it. “A republic, if you can keep it.”

That’s why, in Congress, I have voted against bills that would restrict voting rights and hurt families in the 8th District. It is why I’ve vociferously challenged Cabinet nominees whose agendas run counter to the public interest. And I continue to hold community town halls in every part of this 10,000 square mile district because people are worried and deserve to share their concerns and hear directly from me. We have had record attendance.

I promise to keep doing what’s right for our district and for our country. I will keep fighting to safeguard our elections, our economy, and the checks and balances that protect every American’s freedom. And I will always stand up to anyone who puts our democracy in jeopardy.

But democracy is a team effort. If you believe, as I do, that the stakes could not be higher, I hope you’ll stand with me today, john.

Thank you,

Kim

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Rep. Kim Schrier is a doctor, scientist, and mom, fighting for Washington's 8th District in Congress. This is one of the most competitive districts in the country, so we need your help to keep Kim in Congress. Chip in now to help protect Kim's seat.

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