To: Democratic National Committee Members
From: Our Revolution
Subject: This Is a 911 Moment for the DNC
____________________________________________________________________________
As President Biden warned us in his farewell address, the danger to our democracy has never been more urgent. “Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, … powerful forces want to wield their unchecked influence to eliminate the steps we’ve taken to tackle the climate crisis … the potential rise of a tech-industrial complex could pose real dangers for our country as well.”
January 20th provided a chilling illustration of Biden’s words when President Trump took the Oath of Office, flanked by Big Oil and Tech Oligarchs.
Immediately, the Trump Administration began executing a clear plan to turn our government into a tool of oligarchic dominance. Trump is purging career servants and replacing them with political and industry loyalists; he’s rewarding his benefactors by rolling back President Biden’s progress on climate, infrastructure, and tech regulation, while announcing plans to accelerate the expansion of fossil fuels, unregulated AI, and the crypto industry.
With Project 2025 as their blueprint, Trump’s is preparing to go even further and dismantle democracy itself. By pledging to pardon January 6th insurrectionists, Trump is legitimizing political violence as a tool for his movement. Meanwhile, right-wing media networks, social media platforms, and dark money groups are fueling a coordinated disinformation campaign designed to erode public trust and secure minority rule for a corporate elite. At the same time, figures like Kash Patel are laying the groundwork for an expanded surveillance state, weaponizing government institutions to target opponents.
As Democrats, we must recognize this moment for what it is: a fight for the survival of democratic institutions and for an economy that works for our planet and the people, not just the wealthiest few. The trajectory we are on leads to authoritarian capitalism, climate catastrophe, and a culture of fear and repression. To stop this, we must embrace a bold vision that energizes our base, expands our coalition, and meets the urgency of the moment with action.
Our survey of over 20,000 Our Revolution members reveals deep concern among grassroots voters about the current moment”
- 98% believe Trump’s return and the rise of the MAGA movement represent a dangerous moment for the country. 43% report feeling angry and 40% feel worried, scared, or sad.
- 76% lack confidence in the Democratic Party’s ability to fight back against Trump’s radical agenda and the corporate takeover of government.
Their message is simple: Democrats must fight back, or we will all lose. This is not just a plea from Our Revolution—it comes from our grassroots members we represent: Democratic Party volunteers, precinct captains, door-knockers, and donors. In short, this is what rank-and-file Democrats who don’t have a seat or a vote in the DNC, but want their voices to be heard.
Significantly, Our Revolution members identified 4 top priorities for the candidates running for DNC leadership:
- Become a True Opposition Party – By rejecting corporate influence, dark money, and stand firmly against Trump’s policies. We need to aggressively communicate how Trump’s policies directly harm working families, gut democracy, and serve only the interests of the ultra-rich.
- Invest in State Parties and Grassroots Organizing – Recognizing that state parties are the direct link between the Democratic Party and the people.
- Demand Budget Transparency & Consultant Accountability – Ensuring grassroots donors know where their money is going and holding consultants accountable for results.
- Unite the Democratic Party Behind a Pro-Worker, Pro-Climate and Pro-Democracy Agenda: To mobilize the broadest possible coalition, we must make clear that our party stands unequivocally for the concerns of working people and the planet.
That’s why Our Revolution is urging every DNC leadership candidate to adopt these priorities. In addition, we are proud to support our members running for Vice Chair positions: Jim Zogby, Michelle Deatrick, Shasti Conrad, and Jane Kleeb (ASDC). Their leadership and commitment to grassroots democracy make them strong advocates for the future of the party.
As DNC members, the decisions made now will shape the course of history. Listen to what grassroots progressive voters have to say so we can fight for the future together.