Five months into President Trump’s second term, we continue to see new threats to American families, federal support for our communities, and our democratic institutions, increasing pressure on state and local leaders.
Last month, 50 NewDEAL Leaders gathered in Atlanta, along with allies and policy experts from the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, to discuss key policy challenges in this moment, covering issues like housing, health care, clean energy, and the rise of artificial intelligence. As leaders focused on spreading real solutions, they also confronted how to respond to the chaos emanating from the Trump White House. The rise in political violence and Trump’s recent move to unnecessarily federalize the National Guard and deploy the military on U.S. soil in defiance of state and local officials underscore exactly why these conversations are essential.
A clear message emerged from the two-day event:
Stand Up. Speak Out. Lead.
Building on that framework, we’ve released a one-pager and a full memo from our CEO, Debbie Cox Bultan, highlighting nine strategies for fighting back and leading forward in this moment. These recommendations reflect the insights and leadership of NewDEAL, as well as the urgency of the moment we’re in.
