Make the Senate Listen

Don’t be afraid to call or write your senators before they vote on the Kash Patel nomination, along with those of Robert Kennedy, Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard. Ask them to explain how a vote for these nominees comes even close to making America great again. Government is supposed to work for us, and if it doesn’t, we’re entitled to answers.

I talked with some friends about this over the weekend, and currently, there are efforts underway to arrange meetings with Senators, either in person or on Zoom, in a number of states. We should be able to express frank views about the lack of fitness we see in these nominees, and now, about concerns about Elon Musk, who is acting, as Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin said today, as though he is a lawful fourth branch of government despite not being elected, confirmed. There are also concerns about Trump’s efforts to seek revenge on employees of the FBI and DOJ who were just doing their jobs, which happened to be investigating his efforts to stay in office after losing the 2020 election, as well as his mishandling of classified evidence.

You don’t need to wait for someone to give you permission; as an American, you’re entitled to do it. Gather a group of friends around you and call and email your senators’ offices to request a meeting. Sometimes, a “no” or being ignored can be just as illuminating as having the opportunity to speak with your elected officials.

Not sure what you might say or do in a meeting like this? Or how to get one? Ask questions or leave ideas in the comments. Let’s help each other do this!

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One of the most powerful strategies dictators use is convincing people that they are so powerful that their “subjects” must obey in advance. But in reality, with Trump, we’ve seen him back down when he’s questioned. He backed off on his performative tariffs today, giving both Mexico and Canada additional time as of this afternoon. And a federal judge in Washington, D.C., took steps to further block his “impoundment” efforts to freeze federal spending. It takes persistence to block Trump, especially as he floods the zone, and one of the ways we can do that is by demanding that our elected officials do what they were elected to do: represent us, all of us.

Today, the interim U.S. Attorney in Washington D.C. tweeted what he called an “important letter” to Elon Musk. Just to make sure everyone understands how tight they are, he marked through the typed salutation in the letter and wrote in “Elon.”

Martin supports the pardons and release of convicted criminals who masterminded and participated in the mob on January 6. Martin is going after prosecutors in his own office who did their jobs and prosecuted those cases. Who does he think the good guys are? He’s cheering on Musk and his band of boys who are likely too inexperienced to appreciate the legality and ethics of what they’re being asked to do. Efficiency, which is in the eye of the beholder in any event, is not a legal principle or a constitutional imperative.

Martin gives himself up in the first line of the letter. Why would a federal prosecutor be working with a group of people who are part of a pretend government agency seeking access to government information, including classified material? These are the kind of people prosecutors usually investigate. But there it is: “It was good to work with The DOGE Team, ” who Martin wants to “protect.”

Martin may be an interim U.S. Attorney, but his duty is to the people in his district, not to folks trying to run roughshod over them. Acting Deputy Secretary David Lebryk at Treasury resigned after more than 30 years of service because Musk and his band of boys demanded access to sensitive Treasury data. But here’s Martin, a Justice Department official, sworn to uphold the law, waving him on. Ask your senators, especially the ones who were outraged by Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal server, how they feel about it. If your senators aren’t standing up for your interests, they owe you an explanation of how they view the situation and honest engagement on how you see it.

Martin’s letter reads like an audition for the next stepping stone in his career. And he clearly knows who he needs to show allegiance to in order to get there—it’s Elon Musk.

Some elected officials deserve our thanks and support right now. This afternoon, Democratic representatives sent letters to Trump’s nominees and acting officials at the Justice Department, calling the firings of agents and prosecutors a “threat to national security,” which is what they are.

Trump may as well be waving a red c’mon flag at Russia and other foreign adversaries who wish us harm. I’m told the FBI special agent in charge in New Orleans is among those fired—just ten days out from the Super Bowl. Ask your senators if this makes them feel safer.

Late today, the White House decided that Musk is a “special government employee,” which purportedly lets him work and have access for 120 days. Trump’s press person, Karoline Leavitt, claimed Musk has abided by all federal laws, but that seems unlikely given his vast holdings and the implicit conflicts of interest they carry. It would take months to untangle all of that, not days. I think I’ve mentioned before that I had to close my little Etsy shop selling hand-dyed yarn to become a U.S. Attorney. Musk has far greater issues. Leavitt must have known that the question of Musk’s security clearance would come up. The fact that she didn’t have an answer suggests that there isn’t a good one.

If Musk is really a government employee, he’s now accountable to the same standards and oversight every other government operation is, including from Congress. “DOGE” materials are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. This “clarification” of Musk’s status was predictable. But it’s likely it will prove to be a sham if it’s tested. Ask your senators about that, too.

Call or email your senators and let them know how you feel about all of this. And ask them what they plan to do about it.

Now is the time for courage. Do not be afraid. Do not be silent.

We’re in this together,

Joyce

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