Wow, what a week we just experienced. The temperament and character of Mr. Trump are on full display; it's not pretty or comforting. In fact, it's downright scary.
A bit unnoticed was the executive order over the weekend reorganizing the National Security Council, the president's most important source of information and counsel on threats to our country. Mr. Trump just removed the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the military's top command group, from the principal's group and replaced him with Steve Bannon, his political strategist and chief ideologue. Really?
There are two very specific actions people can take right now to counter the dangerous actions Mr. Trump has taken so far.
First, support organizations that are defending our Constitutional freedoms and rights and those who are helping immigrants and refugees. Here are three nonprofit organizations with strong reputations for effective work. Click on their names to join or provide your financial support.
ACLU of Washington (Legal defense and advocacy in support of the rule of law and constitutional principles.)
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (Direct legal services for immigrants and refugees in Washington state.)
World Relief (The largest resettlement services organization in Washington state; direct services to refugees arriving in USA.)
Second, support an independent, objective and free media. In the face of constant lies from Mr. Trump (click here for an accounting of the lies from his first week in office), and the rise of "fake news," it is imperative that we bolster the news media. Here are three high-quality news media organizations in Seattle worthy of your support.
The Seattle Times (click here to subscribe to our only daily newspaper)
KUOW Radio (click here to provide support to this NPR station, a nonprofit anchor in our community)
Crosscut (click here to provide support to this independent, nonprofit news organization)
These are just a few concrete steps we can take to stand up against this administration's fear-mongering and threats to our basic civil rights, and to make sure our independent news media can continue to highlight the facts.