Who’s reeling most, we who defend democracy and personal liberties or Donald J. Trump and his supporters? Within 48 hours of delivering his slash and burn, lie-ridden address to the nation, Trump walked back (at least temporarily) his 25% tariff on automobiles, and then most goods from Mexico and Canada.

Within the same period, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the Federal District Court for the District of Rhode Island extended his preliminary injunction declaring that the administration had attempted to put itself “above Congress” when Trump froze billions in congressionally approved funds to 22 states.

“It is difficult to perceive any rationality in this decision — let alone thoughtful consideration of practical consequences — when these funding pauses endanger the States’ ability to provide vital services, including but not limited to public safety, health care, education, childcare, and transportation infrastructure,” the judge wrote.

McConnell also required the administration to provide evidence that they had unfrozen Federal Emergency Management Agency funds by March 14 and to alert all agencies about the court’s order.

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown joined over 20 state attorney generals in the lawsuit. In a March 6 press release that celebrated the news, Brown declared, “This is an important victory. The judge made clear [the Trump administration’s] move was a ham-handed, arbitrary, capricious, and fact-free attempt to circumvent the U.S. Constitution.”

The same day, Brown and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha condemned US Attorney General Pam Bondi’s illegal threats to fire Department of Justice employees whose personal views do not align with Trump’s.

Attempting to strike back, Trump’s administration declared that Maine and its outspoken governor, Janet Mills, had violated Title IX, the civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in education programs (including school sports), “by denying female student athletes in the State of Maine an equal opportunity to participate in, and obtain the benefits of participation, ‘in any interscholastic, intercollegiate, club or intramural athletics’ offered by the state by allowing male athletes to compete against female athletes in current and future athletic events... Male athletes, by comparison, are not subject to heightened safety or competitive concerns, which only affect females.” In their declaration, Trump’s team not only conflated “sex” with “gender,” but also denied that trans females are women.

Washington’s Tumwater School District already faces a federal Title IX investigation because it allowed a female trans athlete to play on a Shelton High School girls team. In response to the Fed’s move, the Tumwater school board voted in favor of a resolution to ban trans girls from competing in girls’ sports. After the vote, community members interrupted the board meeting in protest, and a petition to recall three board members quickly drew over well over 500 signatures.

Quilcene

A similar showdown looms in Quilcene. On March 19, many expect Quilcene school board member Jim Hodgson to introduce a resolution at the school board meeting that declares, “Only biological males, as determined by their sex at birth, shall be permitted to compete in male sports categories...traditionally designated for males at the school district level.” After stating the equivalent for “biological females,” the resolution engages in double-speak by stating, “The Board will ensure that these policies are implemented effectively and in compliance with Title IX and all applicable state and federal regulations, with a commitment to promoting diversity inclusivity, fairness, and equal opportunities for all student-athletes.”

If Hodgson does not introduce that resolution, which he created on February 26, he may try to urge the school’s Athletic Director to vote in favor of one of the two anti-trans amendments up for vote at April’s meeting of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA.) Both amendments violate Washington State law, which Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has pledged to affirm and defend. State law correctly distinguishes between “sex” and “gender.”

To counter Hodgson and his supporters on the Board, many of us attended the Quilcene Board’s March 5 work-study meeting either in-person or online. Six spoke movingly from their person experience and hearts: Derek Firenze, myself, former Marine and transwoman Heather Johnson, and parents Julia Cochrane, Cortney Beck, and Darcy Reeder. Cochrane, the editor of Jefferson County’s weekly gudlife LGBTQ+ events/news bulletin (gudlifept@gmail.com), said, “I firmly believe that the day will come when discriminating against children due to their gender... will be looked on as an ugly period in our history. I suggest as people involved in educating future generations you choose to stand on the side of compassion and justice.” Beck, who’s president of the Quilcene Teacher’s Union, suggested the school board instead focus on what they’re supposed to do, including leaks in school roofs that disrupt classes.

Hodgson, whose big talking point at the meeting was that the Christian Bible is missing from the Quilcene school library—that discussion wasn’t noticed on the agenda, which is a violation of school policy—has only paused his other book banning / anti-trans initiatives after being warned of legal sanctions against the school. March 19’s 6 pm school board meeting—you can find the agenda and sign-up to speak on the Quilcene school board website [https://www.qsd48.org/District/1254-School-Board.html] 24 hours ahead of the meeting—will tell the tale. Hope to see you there.

It is always possible to transcend division. Our household, for example, is evenly split between two organic breads: Crusty Crumb’s White Sourdough and Chimacum Valley Grainery’s Whole Wheat. It’s hardly red vs. blue or RFK, Jr. vs. (choose one or more) reason/science/facts, but it is example of how two distinct opposites, both of whom pop vitamins like nobody’s business and consider RFK, Jr. a pretty loose cannon, can dwell in peace and love under the same roof.

Until next time...

Jason Victor Serinus is a critic of culture, music, and audio. A longtime advocate for rights, equality, and freedom, he is also a professional whistler. Column tips: jvsaisi24@gmail.com.