Nationwide rallies were organized to protest PROJECT 2025. Even though President Trump denied knowing anything about Project 2025 when on the campaign trail (he LIED! Shocker!) , it’s clear now that his Administration is going to try to implement much of what the Heritage Foundation’s 900-page playbook suggests. This will fundamentally change the United States , and likely the world, into something we haven’t recognized in our lifetimes. I’m beyond wary of this dystopian, technocratic, theoligarchy these despots aim to rain down on us. I’ll post an Op-Essaytorial soon with some particular thoughts about the head DOGe-in-charge.

I came up the back steps from Bicentennial Mall and met my buddy Caleb on the back deck. We caught up for a little bit and then went and joined the crowd on the front steps of the Capitol facing the “People’s Plaza.” It was a decent turnout of perhaps 100-125 people. I expect in months to come, the crowds at these rallies will grow as more and more Americans realize the nightmare unfolding before us. I saw a few other friends, including my buddy Lainie who came all the way from Crossville with two of her friends. There were plenty of clever signs being brandished and the chants were loud, if not predictable (the chants have always kinda bothered me, even though I understand the value in doing them). The was really no counter-protesters except for one character with tight black jeans in cowboy boots who was sporting a tan trench coat and feather adorned gaucho bolero hat. He mostly yelled unintelligible “anti-woke” gibberish that was drowned out by the crowd responses. After a short bit, I guess he got bored or felt defeated and wondered off, likely to resume some day-drinking on Broadway.

One of the most unexpected aspects to the rally that day was the almost complete lack of Tennessee State Troopers there. I’ve spent enough time up there over the years to come to expect an over-wrought presence of “Dudley Do-Wrongs” when protests happen. Not this time though. We’ll see if this trend continues. I think it’s unlikely. “This is what Democracy looks like”…if you can keep it.