This Week in the World: Momentum is Growing Against Trump's Militarism - At Home and Abroad

On Thursday, President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy the military to Minnesota amid the ongoing protests over ICE’s murder of Renee Good.

Enacted in 1807, the Insurrection Act provides a rare exception to the prohibition against the use of the military in civilian law enforcement – intended only as a last resort in extreme circumstances like an armed rebellion.

Using military force to suppress the protests against ICE would be another grave abuse of presidential power.

President Trump has sought to paint the protesters as violent “agitators” and “insurrectionists.” The truth is that ordinary people across the state – and the country – are coming together in solidarity to demand an end to ICE’s terrorizing of our communities.

As Dave Zirin wrote in The Nation, “The oppression is all over the news, but the stories of ordinary people fighting back need to be told, too.”

In the same neighborhood where Renee Good was killed, Rev. Ashley Horan continues to patrol as an ICE observer, continuing the courageous work Good did in defense of her neighbors. “Every human life has inherent worthiness and dignity,” Rev. Horan said. “Each and every life matters, and it is my responsibility to care for my neighbors in this way.”

As we sound the alarm over the Trump administration’s militarism and authoritarianism, we continue to draw hope and inspiration from the countless stories of people taking persistent, courageous action to push back.

As FCNL’s Bridget Moix wrote in RNS this week, “At home and abroad, the Trump administration has moved quickly to create its own world — one ruled by military force and shaped by lies.”

But another kind of world remains ours to build – one rooted in love, peace, truth, and justice – the kind of world Renee Good believed in and died while trying to protect.

“Renee was a Christian who knew that all religions teach the same essential truth,” her wife Becca said. “We are here to love each other, care for each other, and keep each other safe and whole.”

Elsewhere

Venezuela War Powers Resolution Halted, But Momentum for Peace Continues

After advancing in a procedural vote last week, a War Powers Resolution to prohibit further military action against Venezuela was blocked this week in a 50-50 vote, with Vice President Vance breaking the tie. We are deeply disappointed in this result, which came after intense pressure from the White House.

Though this resolution failed, the strong opposition from Congress and the public to more war has made a big impact for peace, reportedly influencing President Trump to cancel a second round of strikes and assure senators he would not launch a ground invasion. The vote also confirmed that there aren’t the 60 Senate votes needed to authorize war on Venezuela.

We need to keep building on this momentum to ensure Congress continues to apply pressure against President Trump’s reckless militarism.

War is Not the Answer in Iran

Protestors in Iran are courageously demanding their human rights and freedom in the face of massive repression. We honor them in solidarity and hold their struggle in the Light.

We condemn the Iranian government’s horrific mass violence against the protesters, which has killed and wounded thousands of people.

The Iranian people, like people everywhere, deserve to live with dignity and peace. The United States should respond with restraint and moral clarity. Military intervention is not the answer and would only compound the violence and hardship Iranians are facing.

Accountability for Gaza Aid Restrictions

FCNL endorsed new legislation from Sen. Ron Wyden (OR) seeking to hold Israeli officials accountable for restricting aid into Gaza. As FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab said, “no official should be allowed to obstruct food, medicine, and humanitarian relief with impunity,” adding that the bill provides “a concrete tool to change behavior and save lives.”