In response to the Trump administration’s blame game regarding the government shutdown, several blue states have begun directly informing residents about the potential impact on SNAP benefits. Massachusetts, California, and Illinois have implemented alerts on their social services websites, explicitly attributing the potential pause in SNAP benefits to actions by President Trump and Congressional Republicans. These states are mirroring the tactics used by the Trump administration during previous shutdowns, which saw federal websites placing blame on Democrats. This shift is occurring amidst ongoing disputes over healthcare funding, with Republicans and Democrats disagreeing on extending subsidies and falsely claiming the other side’s motives.
Read More
The current political climate resembles a circus, and resisting the Trump administration can inadvertently become part of it. To counter this, a new form of political theatre is proposed, drawing inspiration from historical resistance movements. This involves blue states creating an invitation-only, embryonic constitutional convention to draft an interstate compact outlining rights, obligations, and funding. The compact would address Trump-era abuses, including crucial social programs and acknowledging the dangers of AI and climate change. Ultimately, the author hopes this initiative would shift focus away from the Trump presidency, potentially inspiring other states to join, and encouraging ordinary citizens to become politically involved.
Read More
In response to the government shutdown, Republicans are threatening punitive measures against Democrats, including federal worker layoffs and freezing funding in blue states. House Speaker Mike Johnson warned of increased “pain,” while former President Trump explicitly endorsed partisan payback. The administration is implementing holds on infrastructure projects in New York and clean energy programs in several blue states. Some Republicans express concerns about these retaliatory actions potentially hindering a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government, as Democrats remain firm on extending health insurance subsidies.
Read More
Trump administration scraps $8 billion for climate-related projects, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of disbelief, mixed with frustration. The news is clear: $8 billion, specifically designated for climate-related projects, is being pulled. What’s particularly striking, and frankly, infuriating, is that this cancellation appears to be targeted squarely at projects in blue states – California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
Now, it’s tempting to think, “Well, maybe those states just got all the funding in the first place.” But the reality is more complex.… Continue reading
This recent action appears to be a retaliatory measure, targeting states that voted against President Trump in the 2024 election, particularly those with Democratic senators, and which also contribute significantly to the U.S. GDP. Simultaneously, the Trump administration has frozen $18 billion in infrastructure funding for New York City, citing the use of “unconstitutional DEI principles” as the reason. The Department of Energy has not provided any further comments on these decisions.
Read More
According to a KFF Health News analysis, the Trump administration’s cuts to CDC funding had significantly different impacts depending on the political alignment of the state. While Democratic-led states successfully challenged the cuts in court and largely restored their funding, many Republican-led states sustained substantial losses. This resulted in nearly 80% of the grant cuts being restored in blue states, compared to less than 5% in red states. These cuts directly affected public health infrastructure, including efforts to combat infectious diseases like measles, influenza, and RSV, leading to layoffs and canceled programs in numerous communities. The polarization over these issues exemplifies the politicization of healthcare, particularly regarding public health responses.
Read More
The political landscape in the United States has become increasingly polarized, with blue states pushing back against the policies of the federal government under Trump. The recent focus on “states’ rights” has become a double-edged sword, with blue states now seeking to leverage this concept to protect their residents from federal overreach.
Many blue states, particularly those in the Northeast and West Coast, are actively exploring ways to counter Trump’s agenda. One key strategy is to codify protections like those offered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at the state level. This move, initially spearheaded by Illinois and Colorado, has been met with support from other states like Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as Hawaii.… Continue reading
The recent election has fueled a wave of concern among some blue state leaders, prompting them to contemplate strategies for thwarting potential federal overreach under a Trump administration. These concerns stem from Trump’s past rhetoric and actions, which some perceive as threatening to their state’s autonomy and values.
A recurring theme among these anxieties is the potential for Trump to exploit his power to control federal funding, potentially withholding resources from states that oppose his policies. Blue states fear that Trump could use this leverage to pressure them into complying with his agenda, jeopardizing their ability to implement programs crucial to their residents’ well-being.… Continue reading
Harris winning New York is not a surprise to many, as the state has a history of voting Democratic. It’s considered a “blue” state and a big win for the Democrats. However, the victory is not as significant as many had hoped. The margin of victory was narrower than expected, and some commenters are concerned about the implications for the rest of the election.
Many people are relieved by the win, as they expected the state to go red. Others are disappointed by the narrow margin, attributing it to Democratic failings. They cite a number of issues, including the party’s handling of the economy, border policies, and their overall message.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood