Trump Month Four. There is every reason for these sentiments, as the fourth month of the Trump presidency brings still more confusion, chaos and outright danger to our country and world. Some believe this is necessary change, justifying any means. But there is a difference between improving and destroying, and the stated goal of changing the country doesn’t justify undermining it. I agree and can work with some administration initiatives, but overall, this is the wrong direction for our country. Here are my broadest concerns:

1. Attacks on the rule of law. This administration continues to push the boundaries of our democracy into breaching our foundations. Nowhere is this clearer and more dangerous than in its failure to comply fully with dozens of orders of federal courts, while further attacking the integrity of our courts. This is the most basic of our checks and balances on abuses of power by any President and any Congress, and we cannot lose it.

2. Attacks on due process. This administration continues to breach its obligation to provide each of us with notice of what it is doing and why, an opportunity to be heard, and recourse to courts to protect our rights. This is another of our most basic foundations to prevent abuses of power by any government, and we cannot lose it.

3. Attacks on free speech. This administration continues to stifle dissent, threaten dissenters and rewrite history. Not only is this another of our most basic foundations; it will make us weaker, not stronger.

4. Attacks on economy/cost of living. This administration is completely mismanaging what was a solid economy with inflation largely under control. DOGE and other efforts harmed consumer confidence, savings and investments, and, with unreasonable tariffs (taxes on goods and services coming into our country which are passed along to consumers), we saw our economy actually decline last quarter for the first time since early in COVID. Inflation and the cost of living will rise as a result.

5. Attacks on federal government. This administration continues to destroy whole parts of our federal government that deliver critical services. Its actions through DOGE and otherwise have been without any clear plan and have been disrespectful and cruel to millions of federal workers who serve competently. We should have a reasoned debate on the size and cost of the federal government, because we do need to make tough decisions on our federal budget. But there is a way to do that fairly and fully and legally, and this is not that.

6. Withdrawal from the world. This administration continues to pursue actions that reverse three generations of American engagement with and leadership of the world which have been good for both the world and our country. This is not making our country stronger or safer but weaker, all right when we must continue to join our allies, partners and friends in meeting the most serious geopolitical challenges in generations from the People’s Republic of China and its allies like Russia.

7. Failure of an effective Congressional check and balance. In a healthy and functioning democracy, Congress would be acting as a separate, independent, co-equal branch of government, checking the President especially on actions that erode our foundations. The current Congressional majority has thus far failed in this responsibility, leaving our country dangerously exposed to abuse of power. 

I have focused my opposition where I believe it will be most constructive: on supporting our federal courts and the rule of law, and my votes, my proposed legislation, my speeches in the full House and other public statements, and my joint initiatives with like-minded House colleagues. Please click here for a full summary of my actions. I especially welcome your comments. 

Problem Solving In Divided Government. I have continued to work with my colleagues in both parties and the administration wherever and however I can to create and seize opportunities to solve our problems. Some believe I should oppose every initiative and do nothing at all with the administration and my Republican colleagues. I reject that view, because (a) sustainable solutions to our most pressing problems come mostly from bipartisan work, (b) there are many colleagues in both parties who want to solve problems, and (c) we cannot allow polarization and division to destroy our government.

My most active effort is through our House Problems Solvers Caucus https://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/, consisting of almost 50 House members, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, and committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation. I am again Vice Chair of our Caucus, and Co-Chair of our Working Group on Budget, Tax, Appropriations, Debt and Deficit. I also continue as Co-Chair of our Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus https://pacificislandscaucus-case.house.gov/, 36 bipartisan House members focused on our broad Pacific ‘ohana. I will continue to pursue these and other efforts however I can.

For more information on my various activities, please go to case.house.gov.

Where Do You Get Your Information? Anonymous Online Survey. My job depends on staying in touch with you wherever and however I can. In today’s world, where we all get our information from so many different sources, that means I need to be communicating with you where and how you’re getting yours. Can you please help me do that by taking this quick survey here?

Please note that this is an anonymous survey, so I won’t be able to respond there to your questions and comments. If you would like a response, please email me directly at case.house.gov/contact.

Hearing from You. It is more critical than ever that I stay in touch with and hear from you as we work through this very difficult time and find the best way forward. The best way to keep up with what I’m doing, provide your concerns, get your questions answered and ask for assistance is by visiting my website at https://case.house.gov/. Please also feel free to call my Honolulu office at (808) 650-6688 or email me at ed.case@mail.house.gov.