1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The American people gave you the majority because they want the wanton cruelty and corruption associated with Trump and his cronies to go away. This requires leaders with a passionate fight in them, not appeasers and capitulators. It is increasingly clear that Schumer and Jeffries are not the right kind of politicians for this moment. We need “war-time consiglieri” to quote The Godfather. We need fighters who can bring real results. I have heard and seen questions in the press about whether the newly elected Democratic Majorities in the House and Senate should “work on the behalf of the American people” or “get even.” This is an insulting and false dichotomy. Do not treat this as a serious question. It is on the behalf of the American people that Congress insist that the rule of law in enforced, or these Executive branch criminals are just going to keep on committing crimes. It is on the behalf of the American people that the corruption of the Trump administration be investigated and that the constitutional tools of Congress be employed, including impeachment. It is on the behalf of the American people that ICE be eliminated as an agency. It is on the behalf of the American people that the war against Iran be stopped and the defense of Ukraine supported. It is on the behalf of the American people that Congress push for economic justice for the majority of Americans. It is on the behalf of the American people that Congress advocate for Supreme Court reform and expansion. It is on the behalf of the American people that Congress restore voting rights and lift up the oppressed and marginalized. It is on the behalf of the American people that Congress remove the oligarchic influence of unelected billionaires and their rampant political spending. It is on the behalf of the American people that the fascistic overreach of the Trump administration never happen again, and that enforceable laws are created to replace the imaginary “norms” we once hoped would protect us. This isn’t some petty revenge plot to “own the cons.” This isn’t tit-for-tat payback. This is critical and important work that goes a long way to remove Trump’s malign and corrupting influence from our politics and restores all that was taken from us, and keeps it from ever happening again. THIS is why there was a sweeping blue wave. THIS is your mandate. Thanks for your current and future work. It is hard. But we can’t give up or give in now.