We are living in unprecedented and dangerous times. It seems that every day there is an action or statement from the Trump Administration that is grossly illegal or vulgar - or both.
In the midst of all the chaos I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing support and let you know what I and my co-workers are doing to combat Trumpism. Frankly, we’re doing a lot. Here is just some of what we’re focusing on.
COMBATTING TRUMP’S AUTHORITARIANISM: Today we have a president who is not only a pathological liar, but a narcissist, a kleptocrat and an egomaniac. He wants more and more power in his own hands and couldn't care less about the Constitution, the rule of law, decency or democracy.
The fight against authoritarianism is a struggle we are fighting on a number of fronts. Last month, I offered an amendment in the Senate that received 49 votes (all Democrats and two Republicans) to rescind the $75 billion that ICE received as part of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” the worst piece of legislation passed in the modern history of America. With your help, we were also able to raise $200,000 for some of the courageous groups in Minnesota who fought back against the ICE occupation of that city and showed us what grassroots activism can achieve. In preparation for the 2026 elections I am working with a number of my colleagues to make certain that, despite the outrageous efforts of Trump and many Republicans to suppress the vote, these elections are free and fair.
FIGHTING OLIGARCHY: Never before in American history have so few individuals had so much wealth and so much power. Today, with the top 1% owning more wealth than the bottom 93%, we have more income and wealth inequality than ever before. While 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, the Oligarchs are not only getting richer but they are increasing their power by buying up media and making huge campaign contributions.
I am proud that our Fighting Oligarchy rallies have now taken place in 24 states, with some 325,000 people in attendance. And it’s not just Progressives who are coming out. It’s Independents and Republicans as well. We have also just introduced a bill that would impose a wealth tax on billionaires. This bill would raise $4.4 trillion in the next ten years, and plow that money back into improving life for the struggling working families of our country. Yes. We need a government that works for all, not just the 1%. I am also supporting the Billionaire Wealth Tax proposal in California and was part of a great union rally that was held in Los Angeles last month.
ADDRESSING THE THREAT OF AI AND ROBOTICS: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics are being pushed by the wealthiest people in the world - Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Ellison, Thiel, etc. Left unchecked these technologies will bring about a massive transformation of American economic, political and social life. I will not surprise you by stating that the multi-billionaires developing these technologies do not stay up nights worrying about the well-being of ordinary Americans. Their goal is to simply increase the enormous amount of wealth and power that they have, and they want to do it without any rules or regulations to impede their greed.
Studies indicate that AI and Robotics could result in the loss of tens of millions of jobs. Further, these new technologies could impact the mental health of our young people, undermine democracy and significantly erode our privacy. And, if a super -AI becomes smarter than humans, as some leading experts believe may happen soon, it is possible that AI could function independently of human control and threaten the very existence of humanity.
Next week, I will be introducing legislation calling for a moratorium on the construction of new data centers. Congress and the American people must get a handle on these rapidly evolving technologies. The function of AI and robotics must be to improve life for all, not just make a handful of very rich people even richer.
THE WAR IN IRAN: At Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request, Trump initiated a horrific war against Iran. Trump’s actions were unconstitutional, as he did not get approval from Congress. It is also in blatant violation of international law. By attacking a sovereign nation Trump is moving the world toward international anarchy where any nation, for any reason, can attack another. That makes all of us increasingly unsafe.
The death toll and destruction from the war continues to mount. As of yesterday, 1,444 people in Iran have been killed, 910 in Lebanon, 29 in Iraq, 15 in Israel and 8 in the UAE. Further, 13 members of the U.S. military have also been killed and several hundred have been wounded. In addition, there are many thousands of civilians who have been wounded and displaced, as well as massive destruction of housing and infrastructure.
This is a war that should never have been started and the Trump Administration must be held accountable. Further, I will continue to help lead the effort to end all military support for Israel. We cannot continue to arm an extremist government that has brought so much death and destruction to the region.
BUILDING A STRONG GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT: Our current political system is corrupt. The bad news is that, as a result of the terrible Citizens United Supreme Court decision, billionaires in both political parties are spending huge amounts of money to elect candidates who represent their interests. The good news is that, in every region of our country, there is growing disgust at a political elite who ignore the needs of the average American.
During the last number of years, the progressive movement has had enormous success in electing outstanding progressives at the local, state and federal level. Right now, for example, there are over 100 members of the House Progressive Caucus, which is one of the largest caucuses in Congress. Last November, Zohran Mamdani was elected Mayor of New York City. Last month, Analilia Mejia won an upset Democratic primary victory in New Jersey for a congressional seat.
Even more importantly, poll after poll shows that the American people are tired of status quo politics and are demanding real change. They want a progressive agenda that makes certain that, in the richest country in the history of the world, all of our people live with dignity and security.
They understand that our health care system is broken, that health care is a human right and want Medicare for All.
They understand that the cost of housing is unaffordable and want us to build the millions of units of low-income and affordable housing that we desperately need.
They understand that wages are far too low and want us to raise the federal minimum wage from a starvation wage of $7.25 an hour to a living wage of $20 an hour.
They understand that our approach to funding education is absurd and that young people who want a higher education should not leave school with $50,000 or $100,000 in debt.
They understand that climate change is real and that we can cut carbon pollution and create millions of good-paying jobs by encouraging the development of sustainable energy and energy efficiency.
Building a progressive political movement is not easy. But we’re doing it. We’re taking on the Oligarchs and all their money. We’re taking on the corporate media. We’re taking on the political establishment in both political parties.
And, because of your support, we’re succeeding.
Let’s keep going forward together.
In Solidarity,
Bernie Sanders
