Fuck Cynicism: Building the Ecosystem of Resistance We Desperately Need

Let’s be crystal clear: this moment in American history is both terrifying and transformative. This past weekend, a federal district court in Massachusetts slapped down Elon Musk and his young band of tech supremacists by issuing a nationwide injunction. They are now barred from accessing payment systems at the Department of Treasury, and they’ve been ordered to destroy any data they unlawfully obtained. On the surface, this feels like a moment for celebration—at least the courts are stepping in and playing referee. Yet across social media, I’ve seen a barrage of gloomy predictions: “It’s too late, they’ve already downloaded everything,” “They’ll just ignore it,” or “Even if they defy the order, Trump will bail them out with a pardon.” Frankly, I get the cynicism—but I also hear a deeper resignation that deeply troubles me.

The Weight of Despair

The exhaustion, the anger, the sense of helplessness—these feelings are real. Many of us remember the fiasco of Trump’s first presidency, and how “just wait for the Mueller report” became the broken record of false hope. Meanwhile, everything kept deteriorating. I’m a lawyer, and yes, I believe in the power of the law. But if we’ve learned anything, it’s that the law alone can’t save us from autocracy or from a bunch of maniacal billionaires who think they can steamroll democracy like it’s their personal sandbox.

Yet the sentiment that “no one is doing anything” is simply inaccurate. People are fighting back, every damn day—both in and out of the courtroom. Law is a tool, but so is grassroots activism, organizing, direct action, and that unshakeable resolve that says, “Hell no, we’re not giving up.” History shows us that democracy erodes only when citizens let apathy or despair morph into passivity. The best remedy for cynicism is engagement.

Multiple Lawsuits and Court Wins

For those who believe the courts aren’t doing squat, the reality is more complicated. Courts across the country have temporarily halted or thrown sand in the gears of some of Trump and Musk’s worst excesses.

• In Massachusetts, a nationwide preliminary injunction blocked Trump’s birthright citizenship ban—a blatant attack on the Fourteenth Amendment’s cornerstone of equal protection.
• Another federal judge halted Musk’s access to Treasury department systems and ordered the destruction of any data his team pilfered.
• Yet another judge stepped in to protect the jobs of thousands at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

This isn’t pie-in-the-sky speculation; it’s the federal judiciary doing what it can, even if that’s not enough on its own. Meanwhile, there are fresh legal challenges to the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency”—Musk’s cost-cutting monstrosity—because it tramples on federal advisory laws. And FBI agents have sued to block the White House from publicly naming those who worked on the January 6th prosecutions. Across the board, attorneys, civil servants, and entire organizations are putting up a fight.

Beyond the Courtroom: Protest, Organize, Demand

Lawsuits are only half the equation. Local protests and nationwide rallies are cropping up like wildflowers in spring. All 50 states have recently seen demonstrations against Musk’s infiltration of government agencies, the draconian cuts at USAID, and these ruthless “buyout” attempts targeting federal employees. From Kansas farmers to everyday civil service workers, people are saying, “Not on our watch.” Elected Democrats, spurred by constituent pressure, are increasingly showing up at these rallies—and even some Republicans, like Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, are sounding alarms that Trump’s slash-and-burn approach endangers essential economic programs in their home states.

This is the kind of synergy we need: a constant drumbeat from the streets, echoed by courageous public officials who show up, speak out, and get in the way of the bulldozers. Is it perfect? Hell no. Is it enough to deliver a knockout blow? Probably not. But is it making a real difference? Absolutely.

Embrace What We’ve Got, Build What We Lack

If you’re feeling powerless, remember you’re not alone—and remember you do have power, no matter how small it feels. Call your representatives, visit their offices, or join mutual aid networks to support those suddenly laid off. Organizations like Indivisible have ready-made resources (including scripts and toolkits) to guide you. The 5 Calls app makes it stupidly easy to bug your member of Congress on a daily basis. If your local school board, church, or union hasn’t discussed strategies for confronting ICE raids, for defending civil servants, or for supporting trans healthcare, start that conversation now. The American Friends Service offers guides on how to build mutual aid networks, which may be crucial if this crackdown on government agencies continues to decimate people’s livelihoods.

It’s also vital we don’t lose track of accurate news. We can’t rely on Twitter the way we once did—Musk is, after all, trying to hold a chunk of our democracy hostage. So find alternative ways to stay informed: the SmartNews app, for instance, or direct newsletter subscriptions. And consider supporting rigorous, investigative outlets like ProPublica, Wired, or local grassroots publications. We can’t afford a starved media ecosystem when so much is on the line.

Seeds of Hope and the Danger of Overreach

One of the greatest advantages progressives have right now is the right wing’s penchant for overreach. They overplay their hand—like pushing radical cuts that piss off farmers or treading on foreign aid that even evangelicals consider sacred—and then they’re forced to backpedal. That’s when activists can wedge the door open and drive forward better policies or block certain extremes altogether. Yes, Trump pardons cronies. Yes, Musk acts like a tech overlord who’s above the law. But neither is unstoppable if public outcry is loud enough and relentless enough.

Make no mistake, many of us have a healthy fear that these new policies could speed-run America toward a full-blown autocracy. But here’s the goddamn truth: if we just watch from the sidelines, that horrifying future is guaranteed to show up faster. The only realistic option is to intervene—fervently, strategically, and perpetually. We won't stop every injustice. But every single job saved, every policy delayed, every court injunction that halts a vile executive order is a partial victory. Every partial victory matters.

Takeaways and Calls to Action

1. Acknowledge Reality: We’re in a pitched battle for democracy; cynicism and apathy are useless.
2. Use Every Tool: Litigation, protests, phone calls, mutual aid, direct action—this ecosystem of resistance is our lifeline.
3. Stay Informed: Avoid disinformation and doomscrolling. Follow reliable news outlets, download aggregator apps, and build local networks for verifying what’s actually happening.
4. Support Organizations on the Front Lines: Groups like the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Democracy Forward, and CREW are digging in their heels. Send them money, volunteer, and share their resources.
5. Push Elected Officials: Republicans and Democrats need constant pressure. We have leverage, so let’s use it—especially in red or purple states where local economies are vulnerable to Trump’s and Musk’s overreach.
6. Don’t Surrender Hope: The worst-case scenario is only guaranteed if we collectively give up. Whether you’re outraged, exhausted, or both, channel those emotions into tangible action.

This fight isn’t some “Nazi Germany or bust” scenario—yet. But we ignore the lessons of fascist regimes at our own peril. As historian Timothy Snyder warns, despairing in advance is as good as handing the keys of our democracy to those who want to destroy it. If we refuse to budge, there’s still a fighting chance to protect what remains, and eventually, build something better than the battered system we currently have.

We’re not alone. People are pushing back, in courtrooms, town halls, and the halls of Congress. Now is the time to add your voice, your time, and your resources to the resistance.