📅 This event is happening TOMORROW! We hope to see you there!!

Earlier this year, we spoke to @aliciakopp.bsky.social of @akoppmusic.com about why she stepped up to protect her community. Now, Alicia hopes other small business owners can learn from her experience. 📅 Hear from Alicia & other MN business owners on 5/5 @2pm ET: tinyurl.com/4sde3rxk

A win for independent institutions!

🚨 LIVE NOW: Navigating the tariff refund process requires a playbook. Bloomberg journalists answer your questions on how to get a tariff refund as Trump pressures businesses. 🎙️ Ask your questions: bloom.bg/41VeaId

Small business owners! On 5/7 at 2pm ET, join Integrity Matters and Secure Democracy USA for an election protection training tailored just for you! We’ll share practical, nonpartisan opportunities for you to help ensure our midterm elections are free, fair, and secure.

Beth Benike of Busy Baby LLC paid $50,000 in tariffs. The online refund portal is already giving her trouble. Small business owners shouldn't have to choose between jumping through costly and time-consuming hoops or eating the costs of unlawful tariffs. We deserve better. @marketplace.org

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: On May 5, 2026 @2pm ET, come chat with Minnesota small business owners about how they protected their business, their staff, and their community when ICE comes to town. ➡️ Register here: tinyurl.com/4sde3rxk

ACTION - Attn. Business leaders: You play a critical role in protecting your community and local economy. Visit our action page for strategies your business can take to make a difference. Bonus points for connecting w/other biz leaders via @integrity-mttrs.bsky.social Get your tailored action ⬇️

The #SmallBusiness is a powerful partner in the movement for freedom and democracy. Small business owners are everywhere, and they are deeply invested in the rule of law.. @integrity-mttrs.bsky.social

Thank you @mawaldman.bsky.social and @kendallverhovek.bsky.social for highlighting the pivotal role the business community can play in protecting our elections! We are mobilizing small business owners from across the country as trusted local voices to do just that.

A federal judge denied the Justice Department’s request to reconsider his decision to quash a pair of subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve, clearing the way for an appeal that would threaten to delay the confirmation of President Trump’s pick to lead the central bank.

🎸 It’s been a rough year for Julie Robbins, CEO of EarthQuaker Devices. She’d hoped to hire more employees, invest in research & development for new products, and seek out new opportunities to grow the EarthQuaker brand. Instead, she’s had to navigate tariff-induced price hikes and declining sales.

Small business owners: When federal forces come to town, you're not powerless. You can protect your teams and your neighbors by: 🤝 Connecting with your community 🚨 Making an emergency plan 📣 Using your voice as a community leader to speak out against rights violations Learn more below 👇

Business leaders can help safeguard their communities. Our new toolkit w/@horizonsprjt.bsky.social & @integrity-mttrs.bsky.social “Defending Local Stability” helps owners prepare for fed deployments, protect their teams, & advocate for stability. Get it here: https://protdem.org/business-toolkit

Whether you’re doing business or conducting an election, trust matters. Our Executive Director @audreyroofeh.bsky.social breaks down how President Trump’s executive order on mail-in ballots erodes trust in our elections and why small business owners like us benefit from elections that work.

3/26: Our new toolkit is for business leaders concerned about the destructive impact ICE raids could have on your community. Attend our toolkit launch co-hosted with @integrity-mttrs.bsky.social, @horizonsprjt.bsky.social, & American Sustainable Business Networks. RSVP: https://protdem.org/3PGYwgx

Small business owners: When federal forces come to town, you’re not powerless. Join Integrity Matters, @protectdemocracy.org, @horizonsprjt.bsky.social, @asbnetwork.org, and Business Response to Authoritarian Threats on 3/26 @4pm ET to learn more about how you can protect your community.

“...the subpoenas’ dominant (if not sole) purpose is to harass and pressure Powell either to yield to the president or to resign and make way for a Fed Chair who will...the government has offered no evidence whatsoever that Powell committed any crime other than displeasing the president.”

Under IEEPA tariffs, small business owners like Orleatha Smith, @jillosur.bsky.social, Shakia Williams, and Lynne Fletcher O’Brien saw their bottom lines shredded and their business planning sent into chaos. It’s time they get their money back through a fair and transparent process.

"It's taken a physical toll, it's taken an emotional toll, it's been a huge drain on resources. It feels like we're being crippled. Our government is working against U.S. businesses." - Cassie Abel of Wild Rye, an outdoor clothing company in Idaho @reason.com

Small business owners: Has Trump's immigration crackdown impacted your business? If so, the New York Times wants to know. Share your story here 👇

@shaneball.bsky.social and @kclausing.bsky.social argue that Trump's replacement tariffs are even more likely to promote the pay to play system that disadvantages small businesses like ours. It's time for Congress to take its Constitutional authority back.

Anthropic refused to cave to Pentagon bullying. OpenAI backed it up. For businesses big and small, there’s more power in standing together — even with your competitors.

Four actions anyone can take to preserve democracy from @audreyroofeh.bsky.social: 💬 Talk to the people you disagree with in your life 🗳️ Defend free and fair elections this November 📱 Record ICE/CBP activity 🏘️ Know and protect your neighbors. @principlesfirst.bsky.social

This is happening TODAY! We hope you can make it.

ICYMI: When the Court heard the President's tariff arguments, Ben Raderstorf spoke with Protect Democracy’s Ori Lev and Audrey Roofeh of @integrity-mttrs.bsky.social to break down the law and the real world impacts of the tariffs. Watch the discussion here: https://protdem.org/3ZQ862z

Wondering what happens now that the Supreme Court has ruled against tariffs? On 2/26 @12pm ET, bring your questions to International trade law expert Amadi Anene. We hope to see you there! ➡️ Register today: tinyurl.com/5n8yctvh

As we know from Minnesota and beyond, it's bad for business (not to mention our Constitutional rights) when masked, unaccountable federal agents rampage around town and abduct our immigrant neighbors. This is a massive win for Merrimack and surrounding communities.

Our Executive Director, @audreyroofeh.bsky.social, joined Love Rutledge of the FedUpward podcast to chat about how a new federal rule change may increase businesses’ compliance burdens by requiring businesses to register as lobbyists simply for routine communications with federal employees.

Last week, the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s tariffs. For Lisa Mullan of Uwila Warrior, tariffs led to curtailed hiring, interrupted production, unnecessary expenses, and unsustainable margins. Small business owners will need a remedy. They'll also need clear, stable policy.

seen on Fox Business

⚖️ Big win for small businesses & the rule of law! The Supreme Court ruled today that Trump’s tariffs are UNCONSTITUTIONAL. It’s great to see our system of checks & balances function as intended. Integrity Matters Executive Director @audreyroofeh.bsky.social was present when the decision came down.

@scottlincicome.bsky.social and Nathan Miller of @cato.org examined seven recent studies investigating who pays for Trump's tariffs. All seven find what we'd expect. We're paying.

"Criminals and government officials are barely hiding their schemes, and their brazenness is meant to make us feel helpless, to think that nothing can be done. That is false. We already have the legal tools to fight corruption. We just need to use them." - @brendanballou.bsky.social

South Carolina small businesses are reeling from immigration raids. When ICE secured office space at the heart of a thriving commercial district in Columbia, Frank Knapp of @scsbcc.bsky.social told reporters that an increased ICE presence will only make it more difficult to do business.

THIS WEEK: Join us on Thurs., 2/19 @12pm ET for a virtual small business owner get-together to discuss how we can combat the threats to democracy and fair competition that hurt you and your business! ➡️ RSVP: tinyurl.com/ydt2vxnn

“We want ICE to respect our small businesses and our law-abiding citizens,” [Frank] Knapp [chair of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce] said. “The public enforcement that creates chaos and hurts small businesses is not only unacceptable, but it’s not necessary."

Minneapolis businesses lost thousands of dollars per day during the ICE surge. The city estimates it's lost $10 million to $20 million in revenue each week. Recovery will take months. Small businesses operate on tight margins. We can't afford abusive immigration enforcement.

"As fiscal officers, we cannot ignore the economic damage that will flow directly from that fear. When people do not feel safe to work, to operate businesses, or to participate in daily economic life, our economies suffer."

If your business routinely communicates with federal officials on contracts, grants, regulatory issues, enforcement, or trade policy, you may need to register as a lobbyist as a result of this rule change. These new compliance costs will put small businesses at a disadvantage.

If you're a small business owner, you have a unique role to play in defending democracy. Our own Audrey Roofeh and @annalovesvoting.bsky.social of @protectdemocracy.org highlight how below 👇

Today, small business owners around the country are standing in solidarity with the Twin Cities. Small business owners are choosing how to participate based on their individual needs. Some businesses will close for the day. Others will be staying open and donating profits or hosting community events

🎶 Meet @aliciakopp.bsky.social, co-owner of @akoppmusic.com, a studio based in Golden Valley, Minnesota that offers lessons in piano, flute, clarinet, and more! She’s the child of a migrant and fed up with attacks on immigrant families. Thank you Alicia for sharing your story!

Twin Cities small business owners, we’re in awe of your courage and your commitment to standing up for your community. Your leadership sets an example for all of us.

As clergy pray, arrests begin

☕ NEXT WEEK: Small business owners are invited to join Integrity Matters and Jules Torti of @protectdemocracy.org on 1/30 @ 1PM ET for a conversation on how routine federal agency outreach could soon be treated as lobbying and what small businesses can do to prepare RSVP Here: tinyurl.com/bdfk2b6x

This event is happening TODAY! We look forward to seeing you there.

Our Executive Director @audreyroofeh.bsky.social writes in the @nytimes.com about the risks of investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. 📰 Read Audrey's letter here: tinyurl.com/5cxz8jzv

NEXT WEEK: On Tues. 1/20 @12PM ET, we're hosting a webinar with @principlesfirst.bsky.social, @horizonsprjt.bsky.social, and the Center for Political Accountability on the risks that crony capitalism poses to our democracy. Register to join us here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

📸 WATCH: Our Executive Director @audreyroofeh.bsky.social breaks down why the Justice Department’s investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is a disaster for the American economy and our democracy.