President Donald Trump’s aggressive start to his new term has sparked responses ranging from organized resistance to mental health coping strategies as liberals face his return to power.
The initial weeks of Mr. Trump’s presidency exceeded what many liberal opponents anticipated, triggering responses across multiple fronts. Political organizations, legal advocates and mental health professionals are mobilizing to address what they see as unprecedented challenges.
Political action groups have quickly moved to establish resistance infrastructure. Our Revolution, an organization that emerged from Sen. Bernard Sanders’ presidential campaign, has launched fundraising efforts specifically targeting Mr. Trump’s Cabinet nominations. Meanwhile, RootsAction has begun organizing training camps, dubbed “RootsCamp,” to prepare liberal activists for long-term opposition to Mr. Trump’s agenda.
The legal community has emerged as another significant battleground. Marc Elias, a campaign lawyer who has worked with Hillary Clinton and Joseph R. Biden, has become a leading voice in organizing resistance efforts. His guidance to supporters encompasses multiple approaches, including supporting independent media, maintaining consistent opposition to Republican initiatives and engaging in advocacy across various platforms and personal settings.
Immigration advocacy groups have shown particularly robust organization, establishing practical support systems such as “field protection strategy” seminars and know-your-rights sessions. In the Los Angeles area, organizations have created hotlines specifically for reporting immigration arrests, with lawyers and activists standing by to investigate cases and determine potential legal interventions.
The mental health aspect of this political transition has emerged as a unique feature of the response. Mental health professionals have developed specific strategies to help individuals cope with what they term “political distress.” These range from practical approaches like exercise and performing acts of kindness to more structured emotional-intelligence building exercises. Jeremy Shapiro, an adjunct assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University, notes that this level of political distress was relatively uncommon before the 2016 election.
On Capitol Hill, the response has taken on a psychological dimension. Rep. Jamie Raskin, Maryland Democrat, has taken the unusual step of inviting psychologists to speak with lawmakers about coping with authoritarian behavior, though advisers have cautioned against engaging in partisan attacks.
Fundraising has become a central component of the resistance strategy, with various organizations framing donations as essential to their ability to mount effective opposition. Abortion rights groups are seeking funds for increased security at clinics and legal representation for anticipated court challenges.
Despite the varied approaches to resistance, there’s a growing recognition among opposition leaders that this will be a long-term effort. As Elias noted to his followers, “This is the fight of our generation, and it will take time.”
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• Crying and coping: Left struggles with Trump’s aggressiveness
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