Ways to Fight Back: National Efforts

Russell Vought, co-author of Project 2025 and Trump’s head of the Office of Management and Budget, has proposed a new rule that would require a “political appointee” to review all proposed federal funding awards to ensure that they “advance the president’s policy priorities.” Until now, federal funding for scientific research have been reviewed by non-partisan panels of experts, and American science has led the world. This new rule would cripple it.

When the federal government proposes a new rule, it is required by law to give the public a chance to weigh in and to read and respond to what people say. The comment period for the proposed OMB rule will close July 13. Submitting your comment is a powerful way to turn your anger into effective resistance. See Events Calendar for link to submit your comment.

1. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/26/opinion/scientific-grants-politics/

2. https://solvecfs.org/how-to-submit-a-public-comment-on-the-proposed-federal-grant-rule/

While most of the effective strategies against Trump’s drive to take over the national government require expertise and organizations (for example, legal training and the ACLU), there are effective ways citizen activists can promote democracy – No Kings rallies, Bridge Brigades etc. (See LCI’s Events Calendar below.

One that’s often overlooked is Americans’ right to comment when federal agencies propose new rules – a process that doesn’t require Congressional action.

One concerns a proposed rule by which the U.S. Post Office will not deliver mail-in votes in states that refuse to limit their voter rolls to a list compiled by Trump. The comment period closes July 2, so hurry. To take action, see LCI’s Events Calendar below. To learn about Trump’s wide-ranging to control who votes in American elections, see "Trump's Attack on Voting Rights" in the Building Autocracy, Trampling the Constitution.