Time for a Profile in Courage

Sometimes you just have to take on a bully, and it’s Gavin Newsom’s turn — really a calling that he cannot ignore.

For my part, I’m tired of everyone just sitting back and taking Trump’s shredding of decency, norms, the Constitution and the rule of law. I’m tired of him finding some legal pretext — “invasion,” “rebellion,” or an economic “emergency” — to justify mass deportations, deployment of the Marines and National Guard, or on-again-off-again tariffs. 

Some Democrats in Congress are trying. Many lawsuits have been filed against Trump’s actions. But he continues to persecute immigrants as if they are subhuman, ignoring their humanity and hope. He continues to attack universities as if their work is subversive, not essential to the health and economy of America. He continues to fire and terrorize government workers as if they are worthless, not the public servants we experience in our daily lives. 

It will prove only frustrating and miserable to follow the news about the outrageous overreach of federal military power in California, I think, unless someone in the state — maybe a lot of someones — show some leadership and character. 

I can’t do anything in California right now, but Gavin Newsom can. It’s time for him to raise his profile in courage and take on this lawless president.

It’s time to declare that you can fight back, that you will run for president yourself and that you will throw your weight behind anyone who can overturn Republican majorities in the House and Senate next year — and any state legislature that might be flipped as well. 

It’s time for Newsom to reach out to all activist corners of the Democratic Party, to the never-Trumpers, and to sensible independents and seek their support. 

Despite the personal, economic and political risks, it’s time for Newsom and California Democrats to fight at every level, and it’s time for all of us to notice and to support them. It’s time for Trump supporters to stop pretending that his lawlessness is justified, normal, or in the interest of the United States. He is breaking the country apart in innumerable ways, an it has to stop — NOW!

Newsom needs to continue his speeches, lawsuits against the deployment of troops, and more. He needs to head out to the streets of LA and wherever the protesters are, and tell them to be peaceful, not violent, for that is only playing into Trump’s hand. Actually, he can transform these protests into massive rallies for decency, humanity and the rule of law, sparking a movement that includes, but goes beyond, his personal ambition to defeat Trumpism, not just wait it out. 

It’s time to take on the bully.

Then Newsom needs to outline his vision for this country, to the best of his ability, and how we will have to come back from this madness. His words must include a vision of where America can go in the future, instead of trying to go back to the robber baron era.

Newsom needs to remind Americans of what we stand for — the leader of the free world, a nation of conscience and compassion, a country that it is strong not belligerent, compassionate not angry, and fair to all, not open to greed, corruption, and thievery.

If Newsom, with his charisma, eloquence, experience, and commitment to our values, cannot take a stand against Trump and the MAGA madness now, we may have to wait a long time for a Democratic leader who can recognize the dangers of this time and act to rally against a federal government now fully turned against its people.

And it’s time for other Democrats around the country to consider supporting Californians at their hour of need, for it could become our finest hour.