Protest Movement Targets Trump, While Citizens Call for Systemic Political Reform
On December 13, protest group Refuse Fascism plans to surround the White House in a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump. Founded in 2016, the group says it will deliver a “people’s indictment” against Trump, arguing that he has forfeited legitimacy and should be removed from power.
The organization accuses Trump of running a “fascist administration,” citing his use of the National Guard, strict immigration enforcement, pardons for individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol Riots, and foreign policy decisions they describe as “imperial domination.”
In a statement, Refuse Fascism warned: “If the Trump Fascist Regime is not driven from power now, it will continue to escalate its atrocities and violently crush all space to meaningfully oppose it.”
A spokesperson told Newsweek that the upcoming “Surround the White House 2.0” mobilization will be a nonviolent action featuring “crime scene” tape around the White House and trained volunteer marshals, medics, and legal support teams. The group previously marched in Washington, D.C., protesting federal control of local policing under banners declaring “No fascist takeover of D.C.”
A Broader Wave of Protests
Refuse Fascism is not alone. Other groups have staged actions against Trump’s administration:
- No Kings, a protest collective, urged Americans to boycott major retailers (Target, Home Depot, Amazon) over Thanksgiving, accusing them of enabling abuses of power.
- Vets Say No, organized by About Face and May Day Strong, held nationwide protests on November 11 against ICE and authoritarianism.
- Demonstrations have also taken place on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Trump’s birthday, and even abroad during his visit to Scotland.
These protests reflect ongoing public resistance to Trump’s use of executive power, which has included deploying federal troops to several states and signing dozens of executive orders across immigration, funding, and policing. While many of these moves have sparked legal challenges, Trump’s political base has largely supported them.
Citizens Push Beyond Party Politics
Beyond organized protest groups, ordinary citizens are voicing frustration with the broader political system. On an MSN discussion board, one commenter argued that both major parties — the Democrats and Republicans — function as a “two-headed snake” that divides the public while serving corporate interests. They noted that “90 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck deep in debt” while politicians play power games.
Another participant, JD, agreed, calling for the dissolution of the party system and proposing reforms such as:
- One citizen, one vote
- Term limits and a balanced budget amendment
- Barring the wealthiest 5% from holding office
- Eliminating lobbyists and reducing congressional pay to New Hampshire’s $245 annual stipend
- Teaching civics in schools to empower informed decision-making
JD argued that government and media have become “the biggest enemy of the people.”
The conversation continued with calls for full transparency, including yearly IRS-published reports of politicians’ assets and earnings, automatic resignation or imprisonment for corruption or misconduct, and strict separation of government and media from religious influence. Commenters also demanded that any bill affecting constitutional rights be put directly to a public vote, and that foreign aid be limited to transparent disaster relief.
What Comes Next
The December 13 protest is expected to draw national attention, but it also highlights a deeper current of discontent: many Americans are not only opposing Trump’s administration but questioning the legitimacy of the entire two-party system.
As demonstrations continue, the debate is shifting from resistance to one president toward a broader demand for structural reform — transparency, accountability, and a government that serves citizens rather than corporate or partisan interests.
Here below, I present a 10‑point platform addressing these issues, which — if combined with my earlier "US Immigration, Religious Expression, and Foreign Agents Policy Proposal" [LINK] — could help transform our Republic into a true haven.
10‑Point Platform for Democratic Renewal and Accountability
1. Dissolve the Two‑Party Monopoly
- End the dominance of Democrats and Republicans.
- Transition to a system where one citizen = one vote, free from party machinery.
2. Term Limits & Career Ban
- Impose strict term limits on Congress and federal offices.
- Public service should not be a lifelong career; rotation prevents entrenched power.
3. Transparency & Accountability
- Annual IRS‑published reports of all elected officials’ assets, earnings, and business ties.
- Automatic resignation or 10‑year imprisonment for corruption, abuse, or undisclosed partnerships.
4. Campaign Finance Reform
- Ban corporate donations and cap individual contributions.
- Publicly funded elections to eliminate lobbyist influence.
5. Voting Access & Election Integrity
- Automatic voter registration at age 18.
- End gerrymandering through independent commissions.
- Secure, transparent voting systems with paper backups.
6. Judicial Reform
- Term limits or mandatory retirement for Supreme Court and federal judges.
- Transparent appointment process with citizen oversight panels.
7. Direct Democracy on Rights
- Any bill affecting constitutional freedoms must go to a national ballot.
- Citizens, not politicians, decide on fundamental rights.
8. Economic Fairness
- Living wages tied to inflation.
- Universal healthcare and debt relief programs to address paycheck‑to‑paycheck living.
- Tax reform to ensure the wealthiest contribute fairly.
9. Foreign Aid Transparency
- Aid restricted to natural disaster relief, with full public accounting.
- No hidden military or corporate subsidies abroad.
10. Civic Education & Media Independence
- Mandatory civics education in schools to build informed citizens.
- Media and government must remain independent of religious influence.
- Full transparency in media ownership and funding.
This platform combines sharp critiques with structural reforms that would reshape governance into something more accountable, transparent, and citizen‑driven.
Author: Mel Reese
EMAIL ADDRESS:
melreese72[at]outlook[dot]com
On December 13, protest group Refuse Fascism plans to surround the White House in a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump. Founded in 2016, the group says it will deliver a “people’s indictment” against Trump, arguing that he has forfeited legitimacy and should be removed from power.
The organization accuses Trump of running a “fascist administration,” citing his use of the National Guard, strict immigration enforcement, pardons for individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol Riots, and foreign policy decisions they describe as “imperial domination.”
In a statement, Refuse Fascism warned: “If the Trump Fascist Regime is not driven from power now, it will continue to escalate its atrocities and violently crush all space to meaningfully oppose it.”
A spokesperson told Newsweek that the upcoming “Surround the White House 2.0” mobilization will be a nonviolent action featuring “crime scene” tape around the White House and trained volunteer marshals, medics, and legal support teams. The group previously marched in Washington, D.C., protesting federal control of local policing under banners declaring “No fascist takeover of D.C.”
A Broader Wave of Protests
Refuse Fascism is not alone. Other groups have staged actions against Trump’s administration:
- No Kings, a protest collective, urged Americans to boycott major retailers (Target, Home Depot, Amazon) over Thanksgiving, accusing them of enabling abuses of power.
- Vets Say No, organized by About Face and May Day Strong, held nationwide protests on November 11 against ICE and authoritarianism.
- Demonstrations have also taken place on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Trump’s birthday, and even abroad during his visit to Scotland.
These protests reflect ongoing public resistance to Trump’s use of executive power, which has included deploying federal troops to several states and signing dozens of executive orders across immigration, funding, and policing. While many of these moves have sparked legal challenges, Trump’s political base has largely supported them.
Citizens Push Beyond Party Politics
Beyond organized protest groups, ordinary citizens are voicing frustration with the broader political system. On an MSN discussion board, one commenter argued that both major parties — the Democrats and Republicans — function as a “two-headed snake” that divides the public while serving corporate interests. They noted that “90 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck deep in debt” while politicians play power games.
Another participant, JD, agreed, calling for the dissolution of the party system and proposing reforms such as:
- One citizen, one vote
- Term limits and a balanced budget amendment
- Barring the wealthiest 5% from holding office
- Eliminating lobbyists and reducing congressional pay to New Hampshire’s $245 annual stipend
- Teaching civics in schools to empower informed decision-making
JD argued that government and media have become “the biggest enemy of the people.”
The conversation continued with calls for full transparency, including yearly IRS-published reports of politicians’ assets and earnings, automatic resignation or imprisonment for corruption or misconduct, and strict separation of government and media from religious influence. Commenters also demanded that any bill affecting constitutional rights be put directly to a public vote, and that foreign aid be limited to transparent disaster relief.
What Comes Next
The December 13 protest is expected to draw national attention, but it also highlights a deeper current of discontent: many Americans are not only opposing Trump’s administration but questioning the legitimacy of the entire two-party system.
As demonstrations continue, the debate is shifting from resistance to one president toward a broader demand for structural reform — transparency, accountability, and a government that serves citizens rather than corporate or partisan interests.
Here below, I present a 10‑point platform addressing these issues, which — if combined with my earlier "US Immigration, Religious Expression, and Foreign Agents Policy Proposal" [LINK] — could help transform our Republic into a true haven.
10‑Point Platform for Democratic Renewal and Accountability
1. Dissolve the Two‑Party Monopoly
- End the dominance of Democrats and Republicans.
- Transition to a system where one citizen = one vote, free from party machinery.
2. Term Limits & Career Ban
- Impose strict term limits on Congress and federal offices.
- Public service should not be a lifelong career; rotation prevents entrenched power.
3. Transparency & Accountability
- Annual IRS‑published reports of all elected officials’ assets, earnings, and business ties.
- Automatic resignation or 10‑year imprisonment for corruption, abuse, or undisclosed partnerships.
4. Campaign Finance Reform
- Ban corporate donations and cap individual contributions.
- Publicly funded elections to eliminate lobbyist influence.
5. Voting Access & Election Integrity
- Automatic voter registration at age 18.
- End gerrymandering through independent commissions.
- Secure, transparent voting systems with paper backups.
6. Judicial Reform
- Term limits or mandatory retirement for Supreme Court and federal judges.
- Transparent appointment process with citizen oversight panels.
7. Direct Democracy on Rights
- Any bill affecting constitutional freedoms must go to a national ballot.
- Citizens, not politicians, decide on fundamental rights.
8. Economic Fairness
- Living wages tied to inflation.
- Universal healthcare and debt relief programs to address paycheck‑to‑paycheck living.
- Tax reform to ensure the wealthiest contribute fairly.
9. Foreign Aid Transparency
- Aid restricted to natural disaster relief, with full public accounting.
- No hidden military or corporate subsidies abroad.
10. Civic Education & Media Independence
- Mandatory civics education in schools to build informed citizens.
- Media and government must remain independent of religious influence.
- Full transparency in media ownership and funding.
This platform combines sharp critiques with structural reforms that would reshape governance into something more accountable, transparent, and citizen‑driven.
Author: Mel Reese
EMAIL ADDRESS:
melreese72[at]outlook[dot]com