Today is my last full day at @protectdemocracy.org. Thank you, PD, for everything! And thank you to all of the amazing patriotic people across the country who have partnered with us during my time here. I've learned so much from you. New adventures ahead! More soon!

I asked Chat GPT to provide a fact check and analysis of two separate pieces of writing today, and twice it confirmed that it has no idea that Pope Leo exists.

We are horrified, angry, and heartbroken over the murders of two Israeli Embassy staff members in DC last night. Antisemitic hate inevitably leads to antisemitic violence and everyone has an obligation to speak out.

In the early days of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has shown a strong emphasis on unity, and his framework for unity is so rich. "Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges." www.osvnews.com/pope-leos-ad...

"Not a Homily", 5th Sunday of Easter: As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. medium.com/@chriscrawfo...

We just released two new #FaithfulFight toolkits providing inspirational stories and concrete ways that faith communities can take action to counter authoritarianism. 1️⃣ Practicing noncooperation and civil disobedience - protdem.org/noncoop 2️⃣ Protecting government of the people - protdem.org/people

Today @protectdemocracy.org is releasing TWO #FaithfulFight toolkits! 🟢 Maggie Siddiqi of @interfaithalliance.org on how to protect government of the people. 🟢 @mariajstephan.bsky.social and Rev. Stephen Green on noncooperation and civil disobedience. protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

Due to ICE enforcement in Nashville, "no Catholic is obligated to attend Mass on Sunday if doing so puts their safety at risk." www.nashvillecatholic.org/news/posts/s...

NEW TODAY: Two toolkits out as part of our #FaithfulFight series. 1️⃣ Providing and advocating for mutual aid by @shaillybarnes.bsky.social of @kairoscenter.org protdem.org/mutual 2️⃣ Welcoming the Stranger, protecting immigrants & refugees by Tamara Upfal of @the-rac.bsky.social protdem.org/welcome

In ANOTHER (!) Faithful Fight toolkit from @protectdemocracy.org and Horizons Project @mariajstephan.bsky.social , @shaillybarnes.bsky.social of @kairoscenter.org writes how to provide for unmet needs and build power. protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

NEW TOOLKIT from @protectdemocracy.org and Horizons Project: Welcoming the Stranger! Faith leaders can respond by advocating, speaking out, working with local leaders, & providing moral leadership. @the-rac.bsky.social provides a toolkit on how to take action. protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

Love this. "And I enjoy the city, above and below, the streets, piazzas, taverns, and a pizza eaten on an outside table, which has quite a different flavor from the one that's delivered to you: I'm a citizen at heart."

In this week’s Faithful Fight toolkit from, Rev. Deth Im of @Faithinaction.bsky.social writes how to organize faith communities for collective action. protectdemocracy.org/work/organiz...

I wrote a piece about how we organize and train for collective action in this moment @protectdemocracy.org @chriscrawford.bsky.social @mariajstephan.bsky.social @fianational.bsky.social The Faithful Fight Toolkit: Organizing and training for collective action protectdemocracy.org/work/organiz...

In today's #FaithfulFight toolkit, @protectdemocracy.org features Rev. Deth Im of Faith in Action. He outlines the ways that faith-based organizing and training can help communities respond to authoritarian tactics. protectdemocracy.org/work/organiz...

I am begging you.

Pope Francis's hospital stay and death had me feeling similarly to when my own grandparents were near the end of their lives. I wrote a reflection on this feeling - and the legacy of Pope Francis - for @sojo.net. sojo.net/articles/opi...

I am grateful to @sojo.net for allowing me to reflect on Pope Francis as part of their memorial coverage. "In opposing “throwaway” culture, he not only warned us against throwing people aside; he argued that none of us deserve to be discarded." sojo.net/articles/opi...

"Todos. Todos. Todos." Everyone. That is Pope Francis's legacy. He inspired us. He challenged us. He loved us. Let us pray for him on his journey home. Give him eternal rest, O Lord. May light unending shine on him. Receive his soul, O Holy Ones. Present him now to God, Most High.

@hcrichardson.bsky.social's remarks at the Old North Church last night: "And once in a great while, someone will light a lantern—or even two—that will shine forth for democratic principles that are under siege, and set the world ablaze." heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/april-18-2...

Read @ianbassin.bsky.social: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/trumps-nex...

This toolkit series was developed in partnership with the @horizonsprjt.bsky.social. Get a new #FaithfulFight toolkit in your inbox each week by signing up for updates here: protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

Religious liberty is our First Freedom. In this week’s #FaithfulFight toolkit, @AmandaTylerBJC.bsky.social writes how to protect religious liberty for all Americans, including those whose beliefs differ from our own. protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

How can we defend our religious liberty? @amandatylerbjc.bsky.social teamed up with @protectdemocracy.org to answer that very question through the Faithful Fight toolkit. You can find the toolkit in full at protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

In this week's #FaithfulFight toolkit from @protectdemocracy.org, @amandatylerbjc.bsky.social @bjconthehill.bsky.social outlines the ways that we can defend religious liberty at this moment. protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

NEW RESOURCE: Houses of worship and religious nonprofits face a multitude of security threats. Our new #FaithfulFight toolkit provides an overview of how to keep communities safe, including cyber, physical, and legal protection. Read and share: protectdemocracy.org/work/protect...

Many faith leaders have asked me, "How can we keep ourselves and our communities safe?" How can they prepare for cyber threats, physical security risks, and politically motivated lawsuits? Today @protectdemocracy.org is publishing a security toolkit to help: protectdemocracy.org/work/protect...

NEW: @mariajstephan.bsky.social and @crawfordstuff.bsky.social discuss specific actions religious communities can take to counter authoritarianism – and launch a new toolkit that can help.

We are excited to announce "The Faithful Fight," a toolkit series in partnership with Horizons Project. Each week, we will publish toolkits on how religious leaders can push back on authoritarianism. Sign up for updates here: protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

This is, indeed, a moral moment. Today, @protectdemocracy.org and Horizons Project are launching "The Faithful Fight", a series of toolkits that provide uplifting stories and concrete actions that religious communities can take to counter authoritarianism. protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

I'm starting my Lenten fast early: Off of all social media. See you after Easter. Probably.

I was re-reading the long interview Pope Francis did with America Magazine near the start of his papacy. I had forgotten how much this shaped me - including after it was mailed to me when I discerned with the @jesuits.bsky.social. Worth revisiting. www.americamagazine.org/faith/2013/0...

Really important stuff here from @michaelrwear.bsky.social about what is happening at the intersection of Christianity and politics. Great analysis of what's happening with the president, and how Democrats need to respond: thedispatch.com/newsletter/d...

Following last week's Munich Security Conference, I have been thinking a lot about John McCain's final message to that group - a letter that @cindymccain.bsky.social delivered with tears in her eyes. Precious things are still entrusted to our care. Be brave. Be useful. Keep the faith.

Historians Politely Remind Nation To Check What's Happened In Past Before Making Any Big Decisions theonion.com/historians-p...

I am reflecting tonight on Pope Francis's very first appearance as Pope. Before he gave his blessing to the crowd in St. Peter's Square, he asked them to pray for him. Let's pray for him that same spirit tonight. For his health, for peace of mind, and for a closeness to the Lord.

Big picture: This is not just about one member of Congress. This is another path this administration wants to take to harass & shut down religious charitable organizations who serve migrants and other vulnerable people.

USCCB laid off 50 employees. Global Refuge can't make payroll. World Vision is "working to keep its programs alive". CRS is facing critical gaps. Between this, funding freezes, and new EOs, the Trump Administration is taking a sledge hammer to religious nonprofits. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/15/u...

It's my honor to work with the retired 4-star generals, admirals, and service secretaries who make up @counteveryhero.org, including those who authored this op-ed. I'm grateful for them standing up against the politicization of our military and calling out what a danger it is to national security.

this is a good example of the attitude that has led democrats down the road to disaster. it rests on the belief that public opinion cannot be shaped or mobilized or moved, only reacted to

Extremely valuable piece from @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social. www.persuasion.community/p/theres-no-...

What a remarkable group of organizations joining together on this lawsuit. Many more - including the policy arms of the National Association of Evangelicals, Southern Baptist Convention, and the Catholic Church - have condemned this Trump Administration policy. apnews.com/article/immi...

We should be clear about what is happening right now. It is not hardline policy; it is an attempt to demonize, defund, and destroy an entire sector of faith-based nonprofits - and a betrayal of the religious freedom consensus. www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

Excellent piece by @amandatylerbjc.bsky.social at BJC, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and Aaron Dorfman of A More Perfect Union - three leaders from three different denominations pushing back on the federal government's attacks on faith-based charities. religionnews.com/2025/02/06/d...

"Because Congress established USAID as an independent establishment... within the executive branch, the President does not have the authority to abolish it; congressional authorization would be required to abolish, move, or consolidate USAID." crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/...

I might make "Stop Playing Consultant" t-shirts.

"Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it." - Fr. Greg Boyle, Tattoos on the Heart

"Grace, not anger. Grace, not resentment. Grace, not organization for power. ...when [Christians] act by the values and attitudes that characterized Jesus Christ, it speaks across every boundary. It reaches people of every background… And I think we need to be cognizant of where true power lies."

With disruption (at the very least) of PEPFAR services, I am thinking back to closing remarks from Michael Gerson at an event we did at Georgetown years ago on Christianity and public life. Stirring words, still:

Though OMB rescinded its unlawful freeze of all federal grant funds, this is just the beginning for Russ Vought — Trump’s nominee for OMB director. Our team details his plan to steal Congress’ power to fund programs the American people rely on every day. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/russ-vough...