There is no denying the imminent threats to our democracy, rights, and freedoms as we face a second Trump administration. The peril is especially acute for those targeted by Trump’s rhetoric on the campaign trail and the unconstitutional actions pursued during his first administration.
But we’ve been here before. And while the challenges may seem daunting, the ACLU is ready, resilient, and well-positioned to face whatever lies ahead alongside its many partners, volunteers, and the activists and advocates who are committed to protecting the civil liberties and civil rights of every person in our richly diverse state.
We fought the Trump administration in 2016, and while the landscape in which he will govern is not the same, since 2016, the ACLU has been honing its formidable tools and strengthening its organization. As a multi-issue organization with litigation, political advocacy, strategic communications, and people power in our arsenal, we are uniquely positioned to confront Trump at every turn as he tries to undermine our fundamental constitutional rights. We will meet him in the courts, the legislature, and the streets.
During Trump’s first term, we filed 434 legal actions against his administration for constitutional violations. When he tried to implement a Muslim ban, we sued and organized, shutting down airports across the country. When he rounded up thousands of Iraqi people and tried to kick them out of this country, we went to court and succeeded in getting hundreds of people out of detention and back with their families.
In preparing for this potential election outcome, the ACLU analyzed Trump’s plans for this term in seven Trump memos detailing our plans to fight efforts at mass deportation, protect abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights, and ensure that people can freely exercise their First Amendment rights to dissent, protest, and criticize the government. It is time to turn those plans into action.
As President-elect Trump attempts to implement draconian policies, we will hold him accountable for policies that undermine our fundamental freedoms. We will work to make Michigan a firewall for freedom, guarding the liberties and rights of all people who live in Michigan.
We will urge state government leaders to deny the federal government access to their law enforcement agencies and other state-held resources for purposes of immigrant detention and deportation. Governors can act through executive orders, state attorneys general can issue guidance to law enforcement agencies, and legislatures can enact new measures or update existing laws.
We will fight alongside communities most at risk and resist the further fracturing of efforts to foster a truly multicultural democracy. In the moments that are the heaviest and hardest, we must commit to lifting our heads to look around at the diverse advocates, activists, and partners with whom we share the fight for our democracy. It is our collective action that will see us through this dark moment. We will continue to fight, build power, and organize – together.
We will ensure that Trump’s efforts to silence dissenters — and the journalists who report on that dissent — will not go unanswered. And we will urge our state and local elected leaders to forcefully and frequently speak out in defense of freedom of speech, the right to organize and protest, and the validity of political opposition.
We are already in our state legislature, advocating for state lawmakers to use the final days of session to fortify our reproductive rights and rights for LGBTQ+ people, ensure that Michigan’s diverse immigrant communities are protected, and guard against efforts and censorship.
We know this fight won’t be easy. Trump, during his first term, showed what he’s capable of, and the extent of his disregard for the Constitution. However, it is important to remember that Michigan has shown what it is possible to achieve in the face of national challenges. In the face of rollbacks of reproductive rights, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ rights at a national level, Michigan passed two ballot initiatives expanding voting rights. When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the people of Michigan passed a ballot initiative enshrining reproductive freedom for all into the state constitution. Seeing the contraction of rights for LGBTQ people around the country, Michigan passed laws expanding our state civil rights act to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination.
These successes are a testament to the resilience of Michiganders, who understand that civil liberties are not just abstract concepts – they are the bedrock of an inclusive, multicultural democracy in which everyone lives with dignity. There are serious battles ahead, but our successes in the face of challenges are a stark reminder that we have great power to wield in the fight.
The ACLU will confront a second Trump presidency with every ounce of its formidable skills, strategic prowess, and people power. As well as our hundreds of legal and policy experts, field organizers, and public education strategists, the ACLU will activate our 6.5 million supporters in every state and territory.
Whether it’s fighting efforts at mass deportation that target our family members, neighbors, and co-workers, defending reproductive freedom for all, protecting our First Amendment right to speak out against government action, or guarding the rights of our LGBTQ+ Michiganders, the ACLU will be unwavering. Most importantly, we cannot do this without you. Our mission is deeply connected to your involvement, your passion, and your commitment to ensuring that every person has the right to live in dignity and freedom.
We’ve been at this for more than 100 years — thank you for sticking with us in this fight.