a blueprint for blue states to fight back against Trump 2.0
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If you live in one of the 15 Democratic trifecta states, send an email to your governor now and tell them how you expect them to fight back against Donald Trump.
With Trump back in the White House and his administration brutally rolling back our rights and eroding our democratic institutions, some Democratic governors and state/local elected officials across the country are stepping up and moving swiftly to protect their states.
For example, California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken an aggressive stance against Trump’s agenda. Most recently, he promised to push through a partisan redistricting plan if Texas follows through with its own gerrymander—framing it as a direct counterpunch to protect Democratic House seats. He has also launched the “Election Rigging Response Act” and called a potential November special election to let voters decide on temporarily shifting redistricting power back to the Legislature.
To hinder ICE’s ability to abduct and intimidate people while masked and without any form of identification, state-level senators in California introduced legislation requiring that all levels of law enforcement clearly identify themselves— a direct rebuke to Trump’s expansion of anonymous federal enforcement tactics.
In Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker has moved to defy Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda by directing the state to divest from El Salvador over its human rights abuses in the CECOT prison and its collusion with the Trump administration on mass deportations. He has also expanded state-funded legal defense programs for immigrants, signed laws preventing local law enforcement from aiding federal deportations, and reinforced Illinois’ role as a safe haven for reproductive and gender-affirming care.
These kinds of actions are active, high-stakes pushback to Trump’s anti-democratic agenda and a clear demonstration of the kind of power Blue States, and state-level officials generally, have to protect their constituents in the face of federal overreach. In an increasingly hostile and polarized political landscape, these governors, legislators, city council members, etc., are proving that blue states can and must serve as safeguards of democracy—meeting Trump’s aggressive rollbacks on vital issues like reproductive rights, voting rights and access, immigrant rights, etc., with immediate, forceful action.
Why This Matters: State Power as a Counterweight to Trump’s Agenda
The U.S. federal system grants states substantial powers, allowing them to act as “laboratories of democracy” that can enact forward-thinking policies to address critical issues like healthcare, the environment, and education. But in recent years, state politics have drastically polarized, producing stark differences between red and blue states. Under a second Trump administration, red states would likely double down on restrictive measures, banning abortion, eliminating environmental protections, and limiting LGBTQ+ rights. Meanwhile, Blue States have both the power and responsibility to push back by maintaining and even advancing policies that protect the most vulnerable.
Newsom, Pritzker, and AG Keith Ellison's actions are a model of what Democratic leaders at the state level can do to safeguard these protections and serve as a counterbalance to Trump’s extreme agenda. By fortifying their states’ autonomy and making use of state resources, Democratic governors are sending a strong message: blue states can and must act to protect their residents against federal policies that would undermine their health, safety, and freedoms.
If you’re in a place where your Democratic elected officials are already making moves to resist, you might think there’s no role for you. But remember:
Many politicians talk a good game, but our job is to ensure they actually walk the walk. Even if your governor is mentioned here as taking good first steps, they need to follow through.
Taking on these fights involves real risk—MAGA will retaliate. Your elected officials will need you behind them to stay brave.
Elected officials often only hear from constituents when they’re upset. It might sound small, but a “thank you” or a word of encouragement can go a long way. Cheer them on, and be ready to stand by them when the going gets tough. Blue states can act now, and they don’t have to wait until Trump’s policies take effect. This is the time to show our leaders that we’re behind them, ensuring they feel our support as they take on these battles
Powers of Blue State Governors and Legislatures
Blue state leaders have numerous tools to resist Trump’s agenda and defend their constituents. Here are some of the most powerful strategies governors and legislatures can use to fight back:
State-Funded Legal Defense Funds: Blue states can establish funds to defend against Trump-era policies that infringe on state sovereignty or individual rights. This might include legal action to safeguard protections in areas like reproductive healthcare, climate action, or voting rights from federal interference. By directing state resources toward defending these policies in court, blue states can ensure their progressive standards are not undermined by Trump’s agenda.
Interstate Compacts and Alliances: Blue states can work together to form strong alliances that enforce high standards, especially in areas likely to be targeted by a Trump administration. By setting regional standards for issues like clean energy, healthcare, and civil rights protections, blue states can amplify their collective influence and blunt Trump’s regressive policies.
Extraterritorial Policies and “Race-to-the-Top” Standards: Blue states can enact progressive policies that not only protect their residents but also encourage other states to follow suit. High standards in areas like minimum wage, renewable energy, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights put pressure on neighboring states to adopt similar protections to remain competitive. These policies send a powerful message that blue states won’t abandon their values, regardless of federal shifts.
Sanctuary Policies for Out-of-State Visitors: Blue states can enact laws that protect individuals traveling from red states to access services restricted under Trump’s policies. For example, protections for reproductive healthcare or gender-affirming care reinforce blue states as safe havens for civil rights, creating a direct challenge to Trump’s efforts to impose regressive values nationwide.
Economic Leverage: States with significant economic power, like California and New York, can use their influence to counter Trump’s agenda by setting procurement and contracting standards that prioritize civil rights, environmental responsibility, and fair labor practices. Blue states can refuse to do business with companies that don’t uphold progressive values, using their economic might to challenge Trump’s policies.
Decline to implement federal policies in their states: A ton of federal programs or legislation is actually dependent on the states implementing them. Your governor could decline a pot of money earmarked for a police crackdown on peaceful protests or refuse to participate in a program that would require granting massive loopholes to giant corporate polluters. If there’s an opt-out, they should be taking it.
Implement policies that make their state a thriving, healthy, and desirable place to live: It sounds simple, but the more that democratically controlled areas deliver a high quality of life for their residents, the better we’re able to make the case against the MAGA agenda to the American people.
Recommendations for Indivisible Activists: Mobilize to Protect Against Trump’s Agenda
Indivisible activists play a critical role in pushing state leaders to take action against the looming threats of a second Trump administration. Here’s how activists can call on their governors and state lawmakers to meet the moment:
Demand more than “business-as-usual”: Urge your governor and state legislatures to pack the calendar. They should be extending their sessions, making them more productive, and launching special sessions if needed – like we’re seeing California and Colorado do right now – in order to pass a broad slate of protections and defy Trump’s authoritarian agenda in every way possible.
Advocate for State-Funded Legal Defense Funds: Ask your governor to establish or expand state legal funds dedicated to defending against Trump’s attacks on progressive policies. This fund could protect critical areas like reproductive health, LGBTQ+ rights, climate action, and voting rights.
Support Regional Compacts to Form a United Front: Advocate for partnerships with neighboring blue states on progressive policies. Such alliances could help build a unified front on issues like climate action, labor standards, and civil rights, showing Trump’s administration that these values will not be undermined without a fight.
Push back with people-centered “Race-to-the-Top” Policies: In this moment, it’s not enough to lead symbolically–states need to be moving quickly on the everyday issues where MAGA attacks are hitting hardest. That means advancing bold policies on things the GOP is working to make more difficult for people, like healthcare, prescription drug costs, and wage standards, for example. States can outflank Trump and the GOP’s authoritarian overreach, and leaders need to be doing work that proves progressive governance directly improves lives.
Request Protections for People Traveling from Red States: Push for laws that extend protections to people traveling from red states to seek essential services, such as reproductive healthcare. These protections assert blue states’ commitment to human rights and autonomy in opposition to Trump’s agenda.
Use Economic Leverage: Encourage your governor to adopt contracting standards that uphold progressive values, refusing to do business with companies that support Trump’s regressive policies (like Gov. Pritzker did with El Salvador). This economic leverage shows that blue states are committed to pushing back against policies that undermine civil rights and environmental protections.
Demand Non-Cooperation with Trump’s Administration: Trump’s power relies on people and institutions with power doing his bidding, often preemptively. State-level lawmakers can puncture that power by refusing to cooperate, and to do so loudly and defiantly. Call on your state’s elected officials to refuse participation in federal crackdowns, mass deportations, surveillance expansions, or other Trump-directed overreach. Every time a state opts out, says “no,” and fights back, it raises the cost of Trump’s agenda and creates space for stronger resistance.
By advocating for these actions, activists can help blue states become strongholds against Trump’s attacks, creating resilient defenses that preserve and expand progressive values and protections.
If you’re ready to contact your Governor now, get the email template and send it in one click, here.