Political Breakdown How Trump Uses Taxpayer Dollars as a Political Weapon
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Dec 12, 2025 Join Jill Habig, founder of the Public Rights Project and civil rights attorney, as she discusses how the Trump administration uses federal funds and National Guard deployments to pressure local governments. Habig reveals her organization's mission to support cities against these tactics. She shares insights on collaborating with groups like the ACLU, the challenges faced by local officials, and the legal strategies employed to protect communities. With a focus on nonpartisan efforts, she highlights the growing resilience among cities in the face of federal overreach.
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Form Coalitions To Litigate Effectively
- Organize cities into coalitions so they can litigate at scale and leverage shared resources.
- Habig recommends local governments pool expertise rather than litigate alone.
Rapid Legal Scaling To Meet Demand
- Public Rights Project rapidly expanded staffing to meet unprecedented demand, now about 20 attorneys.
- Funding comes from foundations, individuals, and some government partners for training work.
Train Local Attorneys Proactively
- Invest in training and technical assistance for local attorneys to prepare for federal legal fights.
- Habig says litigation is only the tip; behind-the-scenes capacity building matters.