There are five things you can do — right now — to stand with Minnesota.

You don't need to travel to the Midwestern state in order to stare down DHS, ICE, and Donald Trump. You can do it from wherever you are.

I’ve spent my career in the U.S. national security community, worrying about threats from abroad. Not until Trump did I think the biggest danger to our democracy would come from within. But here we are. Our fellow Americans — and the people of Minnesota — are under a vast, continuing assault from the federal government. In particular, they’re being stalked, harassed, violated, and executed by agents of a Department I used to represent: DHS. But the situation is not hopeless. Today, there are FIVE THINGS you can do to stand with Minnesota.

First, let me just say that what’s happening in Minnesota hits home in a few ways. I’m a fellow Midwesterner. I’m someone who once believed DHS was one of our great hopes to prevent another 9/11. And I’ve experienced the lawlessness of Donald Trump’s revenge campaign firsthand.

After Trump accused me of treason last year and placed me under federal investigation (for the crime of speaking out against him), I decided I wouldn’t lay low — and wait for the threat to pass — as so many people in my life urged me to do. Nope. I’m not built for capitulating to a tyrant. So I joined my friend Xander Schultz to launch DEFIANCE.org, a social impact club solely dedicated to fighting back against attacks on democracy, especially Trump’s abuses of power.

In just the past few weeks, we watched in fury as Minnesota came under siege. But our club didn’t just sit around and doom scroll. We spun up efforts to provide legal support on the ground in Minnesota, to send ICE whistles there (and across the country) to help people stay safe, to document DHS crimes on the ground, and more. We call it a “club for courageous Americans” for a reason.

Here’s how you can join the fight, too:

1. Donate ICE whistles.

I was skeptical when these were first announced. Now, in almost every video of ICE abuses, we hear people literally blowing the whistle in the background — warning others that ICE is in the area and giving them a heads up so they can stay safe or be ready to document the situation. Our Members have given tens of thousands of ICE whistles to communities on the frontlines, via partners. 👉 You can donate here.

2. Sponsor “Know Your Rights” trainings.

Thousands and thousands of Minnesotans are packing churches and schools to learn how to keep themselves safe, document ICE’s lawlessness, and protect their communities. Monarca is one of the top organizations doing this. DEFIANCE.org just hosted them the other week on our program, and we gave them a $10,000 grant to train more Minnesotans. 👉Help them by going here.

3. Say something! On all social media platforms.

Most of you have already spoken out. Some of you are still nervous, because the Trump administration is telling people they’ll be added to the terrorist watchlist for exercising their constitutional right. We cannot tolerate this full-frontal assault on the First Amendment. You keep hearing, “Courage is contagious!” And you know what? It’s true. 👉Go post “I stand with Minnesota” (or something similar) on every social media platform you have.

4. Give to the Immigrant Law Center of MN to help those detained by ICE.

When ICE disappears people, families are losing access to lawyers, due process, and basic human protection. So the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) is swooping in to take action. They provide direct legal defense for people detained by ICE, challenging unlawful detention and protecting immigrant families. If you want your support to translate into freedom for real human beings, then you should lend them a hand. 👉 Give to ILCM here.

5. Mark your calendars (Wednesday at 5pm ET) for a major announcement.

Are you fed up watching federal agents break the law? We sure as hell are. So this weekend, we started working with state and local leaders — including prosecutors and law enforcement officials — on a bold way to fight back against federal overreach. On Wednesday at 5pm ET, we’ll announce it. 👉 Be there. This one matters. Watch LIVE on our DEFIANCE.News page, on our YouTube channel, or on my X account.

Your friend, in defiance,