I would add to this list Jen Rubin, Norm Eisen and all of their colleagues at the Contrarian who have led a resurgence of independent journalism and resistance during this dark period in our history.
There's a lot on Substack. Heather Cox Richardson, Dan Rather, and Robert Reich to name just a few. They present good ideas, truth and observational direction.
Agreed! Excellent summary, Jen, and an uplifting reminder that the resistance is hard at work. I would add you, Joyce Vance, Heather Cox Richardson, Judith Dayal, Nick Catoggio, Bill Kristol, Marc Elias, Adam Kinzinger, Sheldon Whitehouse, and countless other independent journalists, attorneys, and teachers. I’d also add the handful of brave and resilient state governors including Pritzker and Newsom, and the dedicated and tireless attorneys and federal district court judges who have held the line and stood up for what’s right a despite the complicity of many federal appellate judges who have aided Trump’s hostile takeover, including the shameless conservative SCOTUS justices who have become Trump’s puppets. This article was a bright spot in my week because it reminded me that all is not bleak. There are heroes amongst us!
I second that! When Jen left the WaPo and joined forces with Norm, I immediately subscribed to the Contrarian. You were my very first paid Substack subscription! I love you guys and your amazing crew of creators. So here’s the deal — it’s past time for you and all of the other creators to pool resources and create a brand new news organization, one that will deliver daily news like CBS used to do, but controlled by journalists and supporters. What say you?
I'd add Katie Phang, the Defiance Substack, Nicolle Wallace's Deadline Whitehouse, Rachel Maddow's Ultra Podcast and her Burn Notice Podcast, the Pod Save America Podcast, the Strict Scrutiny Podcast, those journalists who have quit CBS News and now 60 Minutes, Talking Feds Substack, the judges who have ruled against the Administration (only to be overruled by the six Christian Nationalists on the Supreme) and so many more.
Thomas Massie should really be on this list. When the Trump regime gives way, it will be because the Republican party and media machine withdraws their support. Massie is the single most principled national Republican politician and what he is doing takes a lot of courage.
In a war, there are no "principled" members of the enemy! Especially some that support endless school murders through their fixation on weaponry! He supported Trump as well.
Jen Rubin herself leads the list of resistance fighters. She wasted no time leaving the Washington Post as soon as Jeff Bezos showed his hand by killing a prepared editorial endorsing Kamala Harris. Then she joined Norm Eisen to launch The Contrarian and has provided daily examples of courageous patriotism by continuing her columns there. She deserves our full support!
The targeted cities' mayors are also courageous, principled and resolved. Who can forget Boston's Mayor Wu testifying to Congress with her newborn? Because of her, Nova Scotia still sent Boston a Christmas tree this year despite its overall boycott of the US. The story behind this annual tradition is worth reading and thought.
Kindness begets kindness. Courage begets courage. All means ALL.
Let's add the Smithsonian, which, at least so far, has refused Trump's demands to falsify US history to make it more palatable to him and his MAGA cronies. We need to watch carefully as the White House sends out propaganda on the signers and signing of the Declaration of Independence, and push back with facts.
Great list, thank you, Jen. Really appreciate you chronicling the folks who have been willing to risk enough to say a firm NO to authoritarianism. You have put them in stark contrast to the enablers and sycophants, and it's very encouraging during a hard year-- or 10.
Widespread resistance is getting under his skin. Obviously, he is unstable and thus, more dangerous, but he is also showing his age and then some. Let's make his every day miserable!
“Not since Winston Churchill and Britain stood alone against the Nazis—with America in isolationist mode—has Europe been so critical to the survival of Western democracy.” Repeating it because.
Great presentation. Thanks for acknowledging those individuals and organizations who stood firm and showed everyone else how to resist. They are great leaders by example. I would add the major law firms and universities that did NOT capitulate.
YES!!! Thank you for this important reminder. Who was better equipped to fight against Trump’s gross and indefensible overreach than high powered law firms??!! This is what they do for a living!! Yet a number of them folded like cheap suits. They refused stand up to the government to protect themselves. We know they wouldn’t do it for their clients. Why would anyone hire them now??
Blanche and BONDI. What a pair. "the women not only shined a spotlight on the men who have never been accountable, but on the current Justice Department that has dissembled and perpetuated the conspiracy of silence (made possible by state and federal prosecutors who initially let Epstein off with a hand slap), and the egregious favoritism shown toward Epstein’s co-conspirator and imprisoned sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell."
I'm waiting for the next shoe to fall. Maybe a government posting?
Franklin Graham recently addressed U.S. military members at a Pentagon Christmas service, delivering a sermon emphasizing that God is both loving and a "God of war," referencing biblical passages about destruction, while also sharing the Christmas message of Jesus saving people from sin. This event, platformed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is part of a push for a Christian-focused chaplaincy, a shift from previous instances where Graham's presence at military events sparked controversy due to his views on Islam.
White Christian Nationalists quote from the Old Testament, not the words attributed to Jesus. Matthew Chapter 25 says they will burn in everlasting fire.
Frankie Graham ignores the fact that the only people Jesus went after were those defiling the Temple with dishonest practices. If he really believed what he claims, that fact would give him pause. It does not.
After he built that museum to his father, I used to fantasize about the talking cow, falling over on him. It never failed to make me smile.
Yeah. And he's a jerk, despite the great ad. e.g. Pulled funding in schools for kids on the spectrum. Bribed residents by instituting "Buck a Beer" policies in corner stores. And so much more in the way of highly regressive laws and policies.
Ford supported Trump all the way. Thrilled when Trump was elected. My man, etc.
Then Trump imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum, and vehicles. All highly important to Ontario's economy. Suddenly achieved a grain of sense...
It’s astounding how much of Trump’s agenda is whim and impulse. He seems to think that if he mentions something, it will just happen, but then he forgets it. Annex Canada or Greenland? Rename the Gulf of Mexico or the Institute of Peace? Take over Portland or Los Angeles? Create a peace deal for Ukraine or India or Sudan? Build a ballroom or an arch? Get a new Air Force 1? Turn Gaza into a luxury resort? Implement DOGE? Bring down the price of groceries?
So many spur of the moment ideas, mostly gone and forgotten. These were hot topics - for a week or two. Trump has neither the attention span nor the patience to accomplish things, so he just lurches from impulse to impulse.
You modeestly didn't mention The Contrarian, but make no mistake, your team's efforts have been as heartening as they are helpful. Jen's clear-eyed columns and Norm's courage and constant litigation have given those of us who subscribe hope that we're doing the right thing in supporting this effort. Thank you for being great patriots. One day, as we're all helping clean up the mess the oaf in the White House has wrought, we'll sit back and marvel at those who aided in the resistance.
I would add to this list Jen Rubin, Norm Eisen and all of their colleagues at the Contrarian who have led a resurgence of independent journalism and resistance during this dark period in our history.
And Substack in general as a source of news and a venue for each of us to connect, discuss, and support one another.
There's a lot on Substack. Heather Cox Richardson, Dan Rather, and Robert Reich to name just a few. They present good ideas, truth and observational direction.
Agreed! Excellent summary, Jen, and an uplifting reminder that the resistance is hard at work. I would add you, Joyce Vance, Heather Cox Richardson, Judith Dayal, Nick Catoggio, Bill Kristol, Marc Elias, Adam Kinzinger, Sheldon Whitehouse, and countless other independent journalists, attorneys, and teachers. I’d also add the handful of brave and resilient state governors including Pritzker and Newsom, and the dedicated and tireless attorneys and federal district court judges who have held the line and stood up for what’s right a despite the complicity of many federal appellate judges who have aided Trump’s hostile takeover, including the shameless conservative SCOTUS justices who have become Trump’s puppets. This article was a bright spot in my week because it reminded me that all is not bleak. There are heroes amongst us!
I second that! When Jen left the WaPo and joined forces with Norm, I immediately subscribed to the Contrarian. You were my very first paid Substack subscription! I love you guys and your amazing crew of creators. So here’s the deal — it’s past time for you and all of the other creators to pool resources and create a brand new news organization, one that will deliver daily news like CBS used to do, but controlled by journalists and supporters. What say you?
Excellent idea!
I'd add Katie Phang, the Defiance Substack, Nicolle Wallace's Deadline Whitehouse, Rachel Maddow's Ultra Podcast and her Burn Notice Podcast, the Pod Save America Podcast, the Strict Scrutiny Podcast, those journalists who have quit CBS News and now 60 Minutes, Talking Feds Substack, the judges who have ruled against the Administration (only to be overruled by the six Christian Nationalists on the Supreme) and so many more.
Sorry, it's Rachel Maddow's "BURN ORDER" Podcast.
Thomas Massie should really be on this list. When the Trump regime gives way, it will be because the Republican party and media machine withdraws their support. Massie is the single most principled national Republican politician and what he is doing takes a lot of courage.
I used to hold Massie in contempt because, like many Republicans, he’d pose with his family holding assault rifles in Christmas photos.
In a war, there are no "principled" members of the enemy! Especially some that support endless school murders through their fixation on weaponry! He supported Trump as well.
Jen Rubin herself leads the list of resistance fighters. She wasted no time leaving the Washington Post as soon as Jeff Bezos showed his hand by killing a prepared editorial endorsing Kamala Harris. Then she joined Norm Eisen to launch The Contrarian and has provided daily examples of courageous patriotism by continuing her columns there. She deserves our full support!
Indeed!!
Thanks for this background!
All of us must become active fighters to save our Democratic Republic. Give money and support all Democratic candidates!!!!!
The targeted cities' mayors are also courageous, principled and resolved. Who can forget Boston's Mayor Wu testifying to Congress with her newborn? Because of her, Nova Scotia still sent Boston a Christmas tree this year despite its overall boycott of the US. The story behind this annual tradition is worth reading and thought.
Kindness begets kindness. Courage begets courage. All means ALL.
Let's add the Smithsonian, which, at least so far, has refused Trump's demands to falsify US history to make it more palatable to him and his MAGA cronies. We need to watch carefully as the White House sends out propaganda on the signers and signing of the Declaration of Independence, and push back with facts.
Great list, thank you, Jen. Really appreciate you chronicling the folks who have been willing to risk enough to say a firm NO to authoritarianism. You have put them in stark contrast to the enablers and sycophants, and it's very encouraging during a hard year-- or 10.
Widespread resistance is getting under his skin. Obviously, he is unstable and thus, more dangerous, but he is also showing his age and then some. Let's make his every day miserable!
Thank you for reminding us of these courageous acts, Jennifer.
May we all have a brighter new year, and keep up the resistance!
“Not since Winston Churchill and Britain stood alone against the Nazis—with America in isolationist mode—has Europe been so critical to the survival of Western democracy.” Repeating it because.
Yes, Ferbie. Check out this excellent Dec. 17th post by Barry Gander, himself a Canadian:
A United Europe Has Just Emerged, Resistant To Russia AND The U.S.
The world has changed.
The US is not in charge anymore.
https://barrygander.substack.com/p/a-united-europe-has-just-emerged
Will do. Paul Krugman and Martin Wolf discussed this as well: https://open.substack.com/pub/paulkrugman/p/america-and-the-world?r=5k9s3t&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
Great presentation. Thanks for acknowledging those individuals and organizations who stood firm and showed everyone else how to resist. They are great leaders by example. I would add the major law firms and universities that did NOT capitulate.
YES!!! Thank you for this important reminder. Who was better equipped to fight against Trump’s gross and indefensible overreach than high powered law firms??!! This is what they do for a living!! Yet a number of them folded like cheap suits. They refused stand up to the government to protect themselves. We know they wouldn’t do it for their clients. Why would anyone hire them now??
Blanche and BONDI. What a pair. "the women not only shined a spotlight on the men who have never been accountable, but on the current Justice Department that has dissembled and perpetuated the conspiracy of silence (made possible by state and federal prosecutors who initially let Epstein off with a hand slap), and the egregious favoritism shown toward Epstein’s co-conspirator and imprisoned sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell."
I'm waiting for the next shoe to fall. Maybe a government posting?
Meanwhile in the military....the theme is backward Christian soldiers....
Hegseth plans ‘cultural shift’ for military chaplains
AnalysisRick Pidcock | December 18, 2025
https://baptistnews.com/article/hegseth-plans-cultural-shift-for-military-chaplains/#:~:text=The%20next%20day%2C%20Hegseth%20hosted,significantly%20represented%20in%20that%20corps.
Franklin Graham recently addressed U.S. military members at a Pentagon Christmas service, delivering a sermon emphasizing that God is both loving and a "God of war," referencing biblical passages about destruction, while also sharing the Christmas message of Jesus saving people from sin. This event, platformed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is part of a push for a Christian-focused chaplaincy, a shift from previous instances where Graham's presence at military events sparked controversy due to his views on Islam.
White Christian Nationalists quote from the Old Testament, not the words attributed to Jesus. Matthew Chapter 25 says they will burn in everlasting fire.
Frankie Graham ignores the fact that the only people Jesus went after were those defiling the Temple with dishonest practices. If he really believed what he claims, that fact would give him pause. It does not.
After he built that museum to his father, I used to fantasize about the talking cow, falling over on him. It never failed to make me smile.
Oy Vey!
Correction: Ontario's premier is Doug Ford, not Tom.
Yeah. And he's a jerk, despite the great ad. e.g. Pulled funding in schools for kids on the spectrum. Bribed residents by instituting "Buck a Beer" policies in corner stores. And so much more in the way of highly regressive laws and policies.
Ford supported Trump all the way. Thrilled when Trump was elected. My man, etc.
Then Trump imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum, and vehicles. All highly important to Ontario's economy. Suddenly achieved a grain of sense...
I knew this about him. Better late than never, I guess.
If only it reflected a wider understanding and showed itself in his new actions...
But it doesn't. He remains a jerk, except about Trump's tariffs.
It’s astounding how much of Trump’s agenda is whim and impulse. He seems to think that if he mentions something, it will just happen, but then he forgets it. Annex Canada or Greenland? Rename the Gulf of Mexico or the Institute of Peace? Take over Portland or Los Angeles? Create a peace deal for Ukraine or India or Sudan? Build a ballroom or an arch? Get a new Air Force 1? Turn Gaza into a luxury resort? Implement DOGE? Bring down the price of groceries?
So many spur of the moment ideas, mostly gone and forgotten. These were hot topics - for a week or two. Trump has neither the attention span nor the patience to accomplish things, so he just lurches from impulse to impulse.
Can’t wait for the January Women’s March! I plan to participate in every public protest so dissenters will not be forgotten or ignored.
When will that happen?
January 20th 2 PM. Advertised as 'anywhere and everywhere' . Woman's march partnered with 50501 as a walkout from jobs ,businesses and schools.
Thank you, Kathleen. Here is a link to the event webpage: https://www.womensmarch.com/
Thanks for the reminder. I'll be there in support!
You modeestly didn't mention The Contrarian, but make no mistake, your team's efforts have been as heartening as they are helpful. Jen's clear-eyed columns and Norm's courage and constant litigation have given those of us who subscribe hope that we're doing the right thing in supporting this effort. Thank you for being great patriots. One day, as we're all helping clean up the mess the oaf in the White House has wrought, we'll sit back and marvel at those who aided in the resistance.