How to Prepare for What's Coming
Trump, The Sequel
I’ve spent the last week deep in contemplation about how to prepare for what’s coming on January 20th. No doubt about it: we find ourselves at a moment of great uncertainty, unable to know exactly what is coming, nor what the days after January 20th will bring, but with a lot of signaling that immediate harm of all sorts is on the way.
Many of you have reached out, worried about the prospects of the incoming, rebooted Trump administration, and wondering what we can do—collectively and individually—to brace ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead. Given all that we saw and lived through in the previous Trump presidency, it’s understandable to feel terrified by threatened, renewed attacks on marginalized communities, rollbacks of essential social programs, and emboldened right-wing extremism.
But let’s also remember this: we aren’t powerless. Each of us is part of a broader nationwide movement, rooted in community, and focused on justice and equality, and more than 74 million of us voted for a better, brighter future instead of this.
Here are some ways we can prepare for what’s coming next.
1. Ground Yourself in Community
Neighborhood Pods & Mutual Aid
If you haven’t already joined or started a neighborhood pod, now’s the time. Mutual aid networks did tremendous work during the first Trump administration and the start of the pandemic, coordinating everything from grocery runs for neighbors in need to legal defense funds for protesters. Revisit these networks and figure out what’s working (and what’s not). A single neighborhood that operates in solidarity can be the first line of defense against policies that undermine our rights.Local Organizing Hubs
Libraries, cultural centers, and local nonprofits often host events and town halls that can strengthen civic engagement. Volunteer where you can. Build relationships with neighbors—both political allies and those who might not yet see the importance of progressive causes. This is the backbone of community resistance.
2. Strengthen Protections for Vulnerable Communities
Document & Share Resources
Keep track of nonprofits and advocacy groups that focus on specific needs (immigration legal services, reproductive health access, trans and queer rights, racial justice, environmental justice, etc.). Share these contacts within your circles so that people can quickly reach out for help.Legal Support Networks
Unfortunately, we’re all too familiar with moments when rapid-response legal support is necessary—whether for protesters facing arrest or undocumented people facing deportation raids. Know your rights, and if you don’t have a local legal hotline or bail fund, consider supporting the creation of one. At minimum, identify who is providing pro bono legal aid in your area.
3. Get Educated on Policy (and How to Fight It)
Policy Watchlists
Stay on top of what the administration might do in its first 100 days. Knowing which executive orders are likely to be rolled out and which laws are at greatest risk can help us prepare targeted strategies. Subscribe to reputable news sources (yours truly will be daily on YouTube right here with all you need to know), community bulletins, and advocacy organizations to track key developments.Lobbying at the State & Local Level
Under a hostile federal administration, states and municipalities can become important bulwarks. From sanctuary city policies to state-level environmental regulations, pushing progressive measures at the local and state levels can mitigate federal overreach. Identify your representatives, make your voices heard, and be ready to hold them accountable.
4. Practice Self-Care & Collective Care
Recognize Trauma & Burnout
The last few years have been heavy—especially for those of us who are most directly targeted by anti-progressive policies. Burnout and compassion fatigue are real. Find mental health resources, peer-support groups, or spiritual practices that ground you.Create Spaces for Joy
Community potlucks, open-mic nights, art circles, or dance parties—remind each other that joy is an act of resistance. While we stay vigilant, we also need to sustain hope and optimism. We can’t pour from an empty cup.
5. Hold the Media Accountable
Push for In-Depth Journalism
Sensational headlines don’t help when we need clear, accurate information. Support independent journalism whenever possible—be it local newspapers, podcasts, or YouTubers who bring nuanced reporting— but stay vigilant against those who wish to profit off your anxiety. Listen to those who offer solutions, not those who want to scare you. Call out misinformation. Challenge media platforms to report fairly on protests, community organizing, and the effects of policy changes.Amplify Marginalized Voices
The mainstream media often sidelines the perspectives of people who are most impacted by injustice. Use your social media channels and conversations in your circles to uplift those voices. This includes referencing, sharing, and citing stories and experiences from Black folks and other people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, the immigrant community, and others on the front lines.
6. Prepare for Civil Resistance
Nonviolent Direct Action Training
Peaceful protests, sit-ins, and boycotts will likely remain indispensable. There are many workshops, often led by experienced activists, that teach de-escalation tactics and creative protest methods. Look for these training opportunities and bring friends along. Familiarize yourself with your rights if you’re approached by law enforcement, and designate a point person or “buddy” for any protest action.Intersectional Solidarity
During the previous Trump era, we often saw separate movements rally side by side—women’s marches, climate strikes, Black Lives Matter demonstrations, and more. Now is the time to strengthen those bonds. Collective power is built through intersectional alliances, and we all need each other to survive and disrupt.
7. Use Your Platform—No Matter Its Size
Start Where You Are
Whether you have 16 followers or 16,000, your words and actions can spark change. Write letters to your local paper; send an email to your city council or county board. If you’re a social media creator or influencer, craft your content to inform, inspire, and mobilize. A share, a post, or a video can reach someone who was previously unengaged.Coordinate Action Days
Consider organizing synchronous moments of action, like phone-banking or fundraising nights. Use text banking and email lists to alert your network. Mobilizing consistently—on a schedule—helps build momentum and a sense of collective purpose.
8. Stay Hopeful and Resilient
It’s easy to feel fear and anger when imagining a return of an administration that caused so much harm and damage. But one thing we learned last time around is that collective power—built on empathy, intersectionality, and steadfast perseverance—can make a real difference. We saw communities supporting each other through crises, grassroots movements shifting national conversations, and a new wave of activists stepping into the fray.
We do have power, and that power grows with every act of kindness, every neighbor supported, and every community relationship built on trust and revolving around a politics of caretaking and love. Let’s center our communities, protect the most vulnerable, and never lose sight of our shared vision for a more just, compassionate, and equitable future.
With determination and solidarity,
ECM
I want to interview you! Are you game?
Here at the Gaia Leadership Project, we are preparing for 2025 by designing a whole new program for established leaders who want to make a positive impact, consistent with progressive values, in the coming era.
If you’re triggered by injustice, afraid of what’s coming, and want to use your voice for change but aren’t sure how, I’d greatly appreciate a half hour of your time to make sure that this important work meets the needs of all those who are driven to go from quiet and scared to becoming a reliable source of leadership and positive impact where you live.
This is purely for research purposes to help us design the most impactful program possible for all who need it.
Just fill out our interview form here, and if it’s a good fit, we’ll reach out to schedule a time.
Thanks and happy holidays!
And I'll add...stop the factional infighting. There must never be any time for that nonsense.
When we're out in the streets, non-violent action training helps, and so does music. Here are some observations from a tense day at Occupy from one of the song-leaders in Occupella, Betsy Rose:
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A group had reoccupied a street area they were evicted from the day before, pitching two tents in the middle of the street. A large crowd gathered, with media, a bullhorn, and speakers from labor, from the occupation, from the clergy, and from the Council of Elders, who had come to support and dialogue with the occupiers.
So there we all were—the elders and clergy, the assorted occupiers, folks who came to sing with Singing For Peace/Occupella, and the police. The police, who were in riot gear, formed a tight boundary line at one end of the circle of 100 or so people, with many other police further away, milling about.
Amongst the speeches, we peppered in songs that all could sing—"We Shall Not be Moved," "This Little Light," "Down By The Riverside," and more—all with new words for the focus of this movement.
No matter how many times I lead this kind of singing, I am still moved and astonished all over again by the effect it has on a crowd. It has a way of pulling people together, unifying, energizing, calming, and focusing—especially when the police are close by. As we circled closer around the tents to protect them, there was a familiar feeling of restless and perhaps nervous energy (What will the cops do? Do I want to get arrested tonight? Will I or anyone get hurt? Can I really be nonviolent under pressure?).
But as we sing, we feel the strength of ourselves and each other. We feel the power of the deep roots of these songs, sung through so many movements that changed our society over the last century or more, and there’s a palpable shift in the crowd. Plus, I feel that the police are subtly calmed and reassured by our singing. A crowd that is singing positive, hopeful songs isn’t likely to also be throwing bottles, yelling angry taunts, or breaking windows. Singing takes all that energy, anger, fear, hope, and determination, and gives it a focus with breath and heart behind it.