The war on democracy

Authoritarianism is at our doorstep.

Dear MoveOn member, Authoritarianism is at our doorstep. Donald Trump is ordering Republican governors to aggressively rig their congressional maps so that Republicans can cheat their way to victory in 2026.1 He's pledged to "end mail-in ballots."2 He's occupying Washington, D.C., and deployed the military to a major American city. And he's said he is "not joking" about potentially seeking a third term, even displaying "Trump 2028" hats in the White House.3,4 We cannot and should not sugarcoat this. This is the stuff of dictators. It's how fascism becomes reality. But we are not powerless. We can push back. We can fight. And we can win. Here's how: Studies of social movements worldwide show that no government has maintained legitimacy and power after 3.5% of their population came together to vocalize their dissent against it at a peak event.5 It's called the "3.5% rule."6 And that's where MoveOn and the millions of MoveOn members across the country come in. As one of the largest progressive grassroots organizations in America, MoveOn can reach, train, organize, and support at a scale unparalleled in the progressive movement—which we need now more than ever. It's going to take all of us coming together and bringing ever more people into the movement, training them, equipping them with the tools to help organize their own communities, and being a critical part of a web of organizations helping to unite us all and bring us into the streets. But this kind of organizing, while so urgent and essential, is also very resource intensive. Will you help us have the resources to take on Trump's authoritarianism by starting a $5 monthly donation? Yes, I'll chip in $5 a month. (If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately.) No, I'm sorry, I can't make a monthly donation. The Women's March in January 2017 was the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.7 Between 1% and 1.6% of the U.S. population participated in the Women's March across hundreds of locations. Double or triple that scale would approach the 3.5% threshold.8 That's our mission: doubling or tripling the size of the Women's March and engaging 3.5% of the U.S. population in a massive protest to stop authoritarianism in America, which is here, at our doorstep, right now. That's what we're building to, because that's what it's going to take. Remember, tyranny cannot prevail over people who refuse to succumb to it. We need your help to have the financial resources to keep building and getting more and more people in the streets. Will you start a $5 monthly donation? Yes, I'll chip in $5 a month. (If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately.) No, I'm sorry, I can't make a monthly donation. Thanks for all you do. –Kelsey, Alexis, Oscar, Aliya, and the rest of the team Sources: 1. "Texas GOP passes the House gerrymander Trump asked for," Politico, August 23, 2025 https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/23/texas-passes-congressional-map-gerrymander-00519116 2. "Trump wants to stop states from voting by mail and using voting machines," NPR, August 19, 2025 https://www.npr.org/2025/08/18/nx-s1-5506210/trump-mail-in-ballots-ban 3. "What's in a hat? White House merchandise room includes 'Trump 2028' caps," Yahoo! News, August 22, 2025 https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/hat-white-house-merchandise-room-061805153.html 4. "Trump won't rule out seeking a third term in the White House, tells NBC News 'there are methods' for doing so," NBC News, March 30, 2025 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-third-term-white-house-methods-rcna198752 5. "Questions, Answers, and Some Cautionary Updates Regarding the 3.5% Rule," Harvard Kennedy School, accessed August 25, 2025 https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/carr/publications/questions-answers-and-some-cautionary-updates-regarding-35-rule 6. Ibid. 7. Ibid. 8. Ibid. Want to support MoveOn's work? The Democratic Party needs big change. That's why MoveOn is partnering with Run For Something to recruit, train, and support young, progressive, diverse candidates—including MoveOn members—to run for local and state office all across the country. From town council to mayor's offices to state legislatures and more, our partnership will support candidates who are fighting for a living wage, combatting climate change, investing in affordable housing, and so much more. Will you make a monthly donation to elect young, progressive, and diverse candidates across the country? If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: Donate: $5 monthly Donate: $15 monthly Donate: $50 monthly Donate another amount monthly Or make a one-time gift PAID FOR BY MOVEON POLITICAL ACTION, https://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. MoveOn Political Action - PO Box 96142, Washington, D.C. 20090-6142. This email was sent to Andra Patterson on August 26, 2025. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. MoveOn's privacy policy was recently updated. To read our new privacy policy, click here. To remove yourself from this list, unsubscribe. Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from MoveOn, please click here.