Key Quotes from Heather Cox Richardson
On local action and civic responsibility
“The place you start to change politics is at the local level.”
“Acting locally—standing up for your neighbors, recording things, making a record—matters for the future because it changes how people think about governance.”
“You may not feel like holding up your camera and pushing a button is heroic, but we wouldn’t know the truth without people who had the courage to do exactly that.”
On democracy vs. authoritarianism
“This is not Republicans versus Democrats. It’s about recovering American democracy.”
“This is literally what we formed this country to stop—the idea that the state can use its power against American citizens.”
“Where we are in this moment is those of us who care about democracy versus those who want to establish an authoritarian or fascist government.”
On accountability and pressure
"Call your Republican lawmakers and say this is not the country I want and really hammer that home. Write to them. Make it really clear that they can't get away with this... Keep the pressure on."
“We need a healthy Republican Party, and now is the time to reject extremism and support people within the mainstream of American society.”
On moral urgency
“This is our moment to do what we have to do.”
“What we have to deliver right now is solidarity and determination—and that we can do.”
What We Do Now
Historian Heather Cox Richardson recently spoke about what ordinary people should do in this moment, and her answer is clear: act locally and pressure lawmakers.
Local action is where politics changes. Show up to school board meetings. Run for office. Stand up for your neighbors. Document what you see—remember, we only know about George Floyd because someone had the courage to hold up a camera while police screamed at her. That's not small. That's how we create a record and change how people think about governance.
But right now, there's something more urgent: lawmakers—especially Republicans—need to hear from you. They need to know you do not stand behind Trump's authoritarian governance. This isn't Republicans versus Democrats—it's those of us who care about democracy versus those trying to establish authoritarian rule. Some people are openly celebrating the state using its power against American citizens. That is unAmerican. It's literally what we formed this country to stop.
If you're a Republican or Independent, this is your moment to reclaim your party from Trump and his enablers. Get rid of the extremists and Nazi sympathizers. Vote against them. Support people within the mainstream of American society. We need a healthy Republican party—one that rejects authoritarianism.
The crucial period is now through May. Trump is extraordinarily unpopular. Only 4% of Americans wanted Project 2025. He's underwater on every policy. What we need to deliver is solidarity and determination—and we can do that.
So call your Republican lawmakers. Write to them. Make it clear they can't get away with this. Keep the pressure on.
This is easier than what those soldiers faced in the Ardennes Forest during the Battle of the Bulge. This is our moment to do what we have to do.
Now is the time.