Heroes of Democracy

While tech titans and media owners celebrate Donald Trump, there are Americans putting themselves in harm’s way to protect our democratic ideals.

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde speaks at the inaugural prayer service on January 21, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Image via C-SPAN

by Bob Cesca

WASHINGTON, DC – Not too long ago, I began a tradition here of spotlighting courageous and defiant Americans who refuse to capitulate to Donald Trump.

For reasons that defy logic, way too many members of the news media, business world, and even Democratic members of Congress chose to genuflect before the Mad King, signaling a confounding willingness to empower his worst deeds. You know the list by now.

While there’s always a honeymoon period for incoming presidencies, this one operates far outside the margins of decency and decorum and therefore hasn’t earned the trappings of presidential traditions – to say nothing of the awful reality of his absence of patriotism, his crimes, his insurrection, and his deadly negligence in the face of a pandemic.

But instead of filling this space every week with the ongoing horror show and the monsters responsible for it, I thought I’d keep a running list of Americans who are heroically putting themselves in harm’s way in the name of both condemning the president and buttressing our democratic ideals. This list is only a small sampling of heroes. Feel free to include additional heroes in the comments.

We begin with arguably the greatest example, so far, of speaking truth to despotic power.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde

During inaugural services at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, with Donald and his vice president in the front row of pews, Rev. Budde called on the returning president to have mercy on the people he’s persecuting. Here’s the entirety of what she said:

“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you and, as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals.

They…may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurudwaras and temples. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. And that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here.

Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love and walk humbly with each other and our God for the good of all people. Good of all people in this nation and the world. Amen”

You should also watch the video to see Donald’s childishly peeved reaction:

Knowing how MAGA World reacts to anyone who challenges their clown dictator, not to mention his own penchant for retribution, it took serious guts to say this directly to his face. I can’t even imagine the blindingly terrifying death threats she’s receiving today. Despite that, her bravery and defiance was an inspiration, and we should all endeavor to match her example in whatever way we can.

And I hope the supplicants and cowards who, instead of saying what needs to be said, chose to suck up to Donald, feel intense shame today.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski

I know, I know. She’s a Republican and therefore automatically suspect. But as of this writing, she’s the only Republican to condemn Donald’s horrendous pardoning of the January 6 insurrectionists. Like Rev. Budde, such a defiant move has immediately made her a target.

She didn’t have to do this. She could’ve kept it to herself. But she didn’t, knowing what it could mean for her personal safety. Her words stand as an important addition to the record, helping to ensure that history will remember what happened on that day – not to mention how Donald added insult to injury with his tragically unpatriotic decision to release all 1,500 culprits. (It’s also worth noting that Murkowski helped to save the Affordable Care Act during Donald’s first term.)

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown

In addition to Connecticut AG William Tong, who’s pushing back against Donald’s anti-immigrant actions, Brown joins a growing chorus of state level officials who are pledging to defend persecuted communities. In this case, trans Marylanders.

On Wednesday, Donald’s acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove pledged to investigate and even prosecute any state officials who defy the president’s executive orders. That makes defying the president a prison-worthy trespass, further emphasizing the bravery of officials like Brown and Tong.

Jimmy Kimmel

I thought I’d wrap up with the following quote from Kimmel, who, like all of our “heroes” this week, risked retribution by publicly sticking it to the president – in this case, regarding Donald’s disgusting reaction to the Los Angeles fires.

“I don’t want to get into all the vile, and irresponsible, and stupid things our alleged future president and his gaggle of scumbags chose to say during our darkest and most terrifying hour,” Kimmel said. “The fact that they chose to attack our firefighters — who apparently aren’t white enough to be out there risking their lives on our behalf — it’s disgusting but it’s not surprising.”

To repeat, Kimmel’s words stand in undeniable contrast to the doughy ass kissing elsewhere in the media.

As we enter this dark ride – again – we should, as Fred Rogers once said, look for the helpers. They exist and they continue to serve as necessary bulwarks against the rise of fascist idiocracy. Whenever you’re feeling discouraged, disillusioned, or fearful, just remember: you’re not alone. The heroes of democracy are on duty.

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