Stopping Trump and Musk
Why the Rules Alone Won’t Save Us
America is in crisis.
Make no mistake about that. Many believe that despite Trump’s ongoing rhetoric and the long leash he has provided to Elon Musk and his team of young software engineers, they will eventually yield to the rule of law. They will not. To think otherwise is to assume they are merely stress-testing democracy, much like ethical hackers probing a system for vulnerabilities but ultimately respecting its integrity. But that is not their intent.
Black Hat Hackers and Domestic Terrorists
Trump and Musk are not ethical hackers exposing weaknesses to strengthen democracy. They are black hat hackers—cybercriminals who exploit systems for personal gain, disruption, or control. The fact that Musk’s team operates with the approval of an elected U.S. president does not legalize their actions. Instead, it makes Trump complicit in domestic terrorism—the deliberate targeting of a nation’s citizens and institutions.
A hostile takeover of government facilities, software systems, and federal agencies—through mass firings, layoffs, and stop-work orders—is an act of domestic terrorism. Furthermore, Republican leaders in Washington who confirm unqualified and dangerous appointees and capitulate to every executive order that undermines the separation of powers are not simply bystanders; they are accomplices.
What Must Be Done to Stop Them?
“Harmful” action must sometimes be taken to prevent greater harm. This decision should not be made lightly, but it must be decisive. Any action taken must meet three essential criteria:
Right Understanding – Recognizing that the greater good is at risk and failing to act enables further harm.
Right Intent – Ensuring that the goal is not vengeance or hatred for a person or group but protecting democratic institutions and the common good.
Right Action – Taking intelligent, proportionate measures that swiftly and effectively end the harm and rally public support for efforts that restore unity and stability.
The rules alone will not stop them—because they do not respect them. We must act with both clarity and conviction.
A Real-World Example: Responding to Antisocial Behavior
We have faced these dynamics before, albeit on a smaller scale. The challenge of dealing with antisocial behavior—those who test boundaries, disregard consequences, and expect others to remain passive—is not new. Below is an example from my experience as an educator illustrating the same fundamental issue we now confront nationally but with stakes that demand an even more decisive response.
Students would inevitably push limits at an all-boys high school where I taught. Despite multiple warnings, some students kept testing my patience (unflappable) and disrupting the class. Our exchanges went something like this:
Me: You need to stop ____.
Him (smirking): Or what, Miss?
Me: Don’t worry about what. You just need to stop.
Him (giggling): But what are you going to do?
Me: I cannot tell you what I’ll do specifically. But I can tell you that I will do something.
Him (now serious): But what, Miss?
Me: The what doesn’t matter. You have to know that whatever you do next, I will take whatever action is necessary to stop you. Plus, I like to be spontaneous, so I can’t tell you exactly what I will do. All you need to know is that I will most definitely do something.
Him (flummoxed): But you can’t do anything! You’re a teacher. You could lose your job.
Me: Are you willing to bet that my fear of losing my job means more to me than keeping you from disrupting this classroom, interfering with learning, and acting a fool? That’s what you need to ask yourself. Then make your move and know, without any doubt, that I am prepared to make mine.
These conversations were always fun because they were teachable moments. I challenged students to think critically. I gave them a choice. And I reminded them that their actions harmed not just others but themselves. And they had seen me in action enough to know that I could and would do just about anything to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the students, school, and community.
Applying the Same Principles on a National Scale
When dealing with antisocial actors in positions of power, the same principles apply:
Right Understanding: Bad actors must be reminded of the greater good and their part in it. Many foolishly believe they can “win” at others’ expense. This is false, and the first step is stopping them from causing further harm.
Right Intent: Actions must be taken not out of hatred but out of responsibility to protect democratic institutions and social stability.
Right Action: These are unscripted times. If they refuse to play by the rules, the rules alone cannot stop them. Action must be proportionate, strategic, and decisive.
Congressional Democrats Are the Last Defense
Right now, the only barrier between tyranny and democracy is Congressional Democrats. However, legal maneuvers and defensive measures alone may not be enough. We, the people, must strengthen their efforts and ensure they understand that constitutional mechanisms alone will not stop those who seek to dismantle democracy for their own selfish ends.
Those who stand for Truth, Justice, and the Common Good must act not with fear but wisdom. And they must be prepared to do what is necessary to end the harm, preserving the possibility of a just and unified society against those who would destroy it for personal gain. The time for half-measures is over.
And as always…
Thank you for being here and striving with me to recognize and manifest the fact of the One Humanity.
Namasté