A network of radical Marxist bureaucrats conspired in secret meetings to use their positions in the US Government to enact their political agenda. The participants included far-left protest organizers, federal bureaucrats, and even a trans porn star turned protest activist. They discussed tactics such as leaking information, wearing symbols, and creating parallel structures. They also expressed concerns over Schedule F and planned to reject Trump's appointees if he contested the election. Internal documents distributed during the meeting provided resources for federal worker activism and evidence of their involvement in leaks. They also discussed grassroots election protection strategies, including voter registration, printing ballots, and counting/recounting ballots.
Thread Text
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
Thread:
1.
Far-Left US Government Employees Conspired To Subvert President Trump, Gum Up Bureaucratic Processes, Strike, and Leak To The Media
A network of radical marxist bureaucrats conspired in secret meetings, plotting how to use their official positions inside the US Government to enact their political agenda.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
Days before the 2020 election, a secret Zoom meeting titled "Feds For Democracy" took place between a group of subversive Marxists inside the US federal government w/ far-left protest organizations.
Hosted by "Democracy Kitchen" and "Feds For Democracy" and in participation w/ leftist affinity groups, like ShutDownDC.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
3. At its peak, about 150 participants were on the call.
The Hosts & Speakers: https://t.co/jI5paE1DUy
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
4. Participants backgrounds ranged from being far-left protest organizers, green energy corporate employees to federal bureaucrats, Air Force Lt. Col., National Security advisors, and those who worked in White House during the Obama Administration.
And even a trans porn star turned protest activist.
Participants Identified:
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
5. Secrecy
"What's learned in the room can leave with you, but what is said in the room stays in the room."
Participants are advised to "take those discussions offline" if they what to talk about high risk actions they want to take. https://t.co/t594FjgJFC
Video Transcript AI Summary
Please only share information about yourself that you're comfortable with. You can keep your camera muted and introduce yourself in a way that makes you feel at ease. When discussing potential actions, it's best to speak hypothetically to avoid any misunderstandings. If you want to discuss specific actions or higher-risk topics, exchange contact information and use the secure messaging app Signal to communicate privately. This will ensure that sensitive information remains confidential.
Speaker 0: In a couple of notes on your own safety and the safety of others that you are working with, tonight, Please disclose only as much information about yourself as you're comfortable with. As I mentioned earlier, feel free to keep your camera muted. Feel free to change your your name when you're introducing yourself in breakout. Use your name if you want, your agency or department if you want, or Talk about what your favorite meal is. Find a way to introduce yourself that you're comfortable with.
If you're talking about, actions that you might take yourself. I encourage folks to speak hypothetically. If someone were considering doing x, What what might the problems be? That way, there's no implication that that's actually something that you've said you're going to do. Just keep things hypothetical.
And then if there's a discussion emerges, especially in the breakout group, of some very specific actions that you wanna take or something that might be higher risk for people in your group, definitely, get each other's contact information and form a signal group to talk about that. Signal's an app that's very secure end to end encryption. It's a good way to communicate about anything that you wouldn't want to get out, that might get you in trouble with your boss. So take take those discussions offline, there'll be a chance at the end of the breakouts to exchange contact information with each.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
6. Icebreaker "Chat Storm "
"A lot of folks looking for solidarity, camaraderie, hope, protection, like-minded people." -Laura Adams
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
7. The Election Is At Risk
"..there will likely be disagreements about which ballots should be thrown away and for what reason" https://t.co/3qrdxsHCYf
Video Transcript AI Summary
The speaker discusses the risks surrounding the upcoming election. They highlight Donald Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power and his fear mongering about mail-in ballots. The speaker mentions that the election results may not be finalized on November 3rd, leading to potential disagreements and court cases. They emphasize the importance of taking Trump's statements seriously, particularly his comments about getting rid of ballots and questioning their manipulation. The speaker concludes by mentioning the significance of believing authoritarian figures when they make statements.
Speaker 0: So a high level issue. The election is at risk. This is due to a number of factors. Donald Trump has not committed to a peaceful transfer of power. Instead, there's been significant fear mongering about risks associated mail in ballots, which has been rampant.
The election results are unlikely to be finalized on November 3rd, which is perhaps different than what we're used to in previous years. There will likely be disagreements about which ballots should be thrown away and for what reason. We've seen lots of, court cases happening in this in many swing states around the country, and there's a chance that certain decisions around the election will take place in the courts. So there's a lot going on right now, and As we're all aware, the election is now less than a week away. So next slide.
So, I wanted to pull out a few quotes, of what Donald Trump has said on the election. I think It's important to, listen to what these leaders are actually saying and to take them seriously. One of The biggest risks I think we have is to assume people are joking or or speaking in a way that is not serious for them, but We saw in September, Donald Trump saying that, he's complaining about the ballots. The ballots are a disaster. Get rid of the ballots, and you'll have a very peaceful there won't be a transfer, frankly.
There will be a continuation. And if it's a fair election, he's on board. But, if He sees that ballots are being manipulated. I can't go along with that, and that means you have a fraudulent election. And this is really just setting up the ideas around, well, who who is saying ballots are manipulated and in web ways.
And there's a quote that maybe one of the next speakers will talk about where, when an authoritarian says something, you should believe them, and I think that's important here.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
8. Thwarting A Coup Isn't A Coup
"It is not a coup to act against a government or officials who are trying to prevent a legitimate transfer of power. We believe that every vote must count, we must count every vote" https://t.co/41XtkKQlpz
Video Transcript AI Summary
Refusing to honor the results of a fair election is a coup, but acting against a government that hinders a legitimate transfer of power is not. Every vote should be counted, and we must protect democracy. It's crucial to focus on what we know is right amidst different narratives.
Speaker 0: Speaking of coups, I also wanna, be upfront that, it is a coup to refuse to honor the results of a free and fair election. It is not a coup to act against a government or officials who are trying to prevent a legitimate transfer of power. We believe that every vote must count, we must count every vote, and we must take action to protect democracy. Forwarding a coup is not the same thing as a coup. It's protecting democracy.
There's going to be a lot of narratives around what is happening, what should be happening, what do things mean and I think it's really important to be centered in what any of us know is right. Next slide. So I know that's a lot upfront, but really important to, make sure we're on the same page on. So I wanna also
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
9. We Have Power & Responsibility
"We have power and responsibility as federal workers... rules have meaning because we decide they do, we decide to enforce them." - Maddy Salzman https://t.co/UV90qzim8j
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
10. Tactics Depend On Your Role
"One important aspect is to think about what are the tactics you should take depending on your role. There's different types of roles in the federal government, and that means that there's different roles that could be appropriate for you to take" https://t.co/BDx7l9zLp1
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
11. Ideas For Fed Organizing
"We should continue conversations on direct action and how we can stand in solidarity with others, especially protestors in other communities."
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
12. Maria Stephan
"It is really great to be with you all in solidarity during this critical junction for our country." -Maria Stephan
"I have worked in the US government. I worked in the State Department for over five years." -Maria Stephan
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
13. Quoting Gene Sharp
"I want to start with this quote by Gene Sharp, who's one of the pioneers in the field of nonviolent action, just to get a little bit on what power you all have as individuals and as federal workers." - Maria Stephan
Video Transcript AI Summary
Gene Sharp, a pioneer in nonviolent action, highlights the power individuals and federal workers possess. Rulers rely on people to collect taxes, enforce laws, manage transportation, allocate funds, and perform various tasks. If people refuse to provide these services, rulers would lose their ability to govern. President Harry S. Truman acknowledged the influence of bureaucrats, stating that he couldn't accomplish anything without them. This emphasizes that both ordinary people and federal workers hold significant power.
Speaker 0: I wanna start with this, quote by, Gene Sharp, who's one of the pioneers in the field of nonviolent action. Just to get a little bit at what power you all have, as individuals and as federal workers. So Gene Sharp said, in the politics of non violent action by themselves. Rulers cannot collect taxes, enforce repressive laws and regulations, keep trains running on time, prepare national budgets, direct traffic, manage ports, print money, repair roads, keep markets supplied with food, make steal, build rockets, train the police and the army, issue postage stamps, or even milk a cow. People provide these services to the ruler through a variety of organizations and institutions.
If people would stop providing these skills the ruler could not rule. And just as an added insight on this specifically focused on bureaucrats. President Harry s Truman famously said, I thought I was the president, but when it comes to these bureaucrats, I can't do a damn thing. So the bottom line with this is that We all as ordinary people, and as federal workers have power. Next slide, Laura.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
14. Gene Sharp - How To Start a Revolution
"This is a technique of combat, it is a substitute for war and other violence. https://t.co/NhcnEosnVb
Video Transcript AI Summary
This combat technique is a non-violent alternative to war. It has been translated into over 30 languages and is practiced on all continents except Antarctica.
Speaker 0: This is a technique of combat. It is a substitute for war and other violence. We don't know quite how it's read, but it certainly did into Thirty some languages in different parts of the world on all continents except Antarctica.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
15. Subverting the "Pillars Of Support"
"If people in these pillars of support withhold or deny their consent and cooperation...no ruler can stay in power.." https://t.co/LldEvI15hf
Video Transcript AI Summary
Power is dispersed in society and concentrated in pillars of support, which are organizations and institutions that provide the necessary resources for those in power to stay in power. These pillars consist of ordinary people who contribute expertise, labor, and buying power. If people in these pillars withhold their cooperation and engage in nonviolent tactics like protests and strikes, rulers cannot maintain power, as seen in cases like the Philippines, Serbia, Ukraine, and Sudan. The loyalty of individuals within these pillars varies, with those closer to the center being more obedient. The goal of effective people power is to shift loyalties and bring people from the center to the outside. Bureaucracy is a powerful pillar, with federal workers having knowledge and influence over policies.
Speaker 0: So power is actually dispersed across society and concentrated in what we refer to as pillars of support. So these are organizations and institutions that provide a government or other power holder with the power, with the skills, the knowledge, the labor, the know how that they need, to stay in power. And these pillars of support are made up of ordinary people like you and me who provide Expertise who provide specific forms of labor, who provide buying power. So if people in these pillars of support Withhold or deny their consent in cooperation. Meaning, they stop obeying, they stop cooperating, And they engage in protests, boycotts, strikes, a whole host of other nonviolent tactics That if masses of people engage in noncooperation, no ruler can stay in power, even if they really want to, and even if they use a lot of repression.
And, ultimately, this is how civil resistance has removed even dictators from Power in places like the Philippines, Serbia, Ukraine, Sudan, other places around the world. And the other idea is that within these pillars of support, You can think of it as kind of a series of concentric rings. And, you know, at the center is kind of the power holder And people who are, you know, in the rings around the power holder have varying degrees of loyalty to the center. So, you know, those who are maybe closer to the center and this uses the example of, you know, the the military kind of starting with generals and going out colonels, foot soldiers, but you think can think about this in terms of the bureaucracy as well, kind of going through the different hierarchy, That the people who are maybe closest to the center are more likely to obey, less likely to challenge authority. But as you go out, to those outer rings, people are going to have less loyalty, to to the center, to the power holder.
And these people are really key allies. And ultimately, you know, the goal, in, you know, in effective People power is to bring people over to your side, to get them to shift loyalties, to get them to move from the center to the outside. And as we know and as Maddie, you know, laid out so nicely, bureaucracy is a really powerful pillar. And, you know, federal workers have unparalleled familiarity with the bureaucratic process. They know how to speed things up.
They know how to slow them down. They have access to critical information about policies that are being considered and implemented. They can participate in an internal decision making. They can provide or deny knowledge and expertise that those, At the top of the bureaucratic, totem pole meet
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
16. Acts of Commission and Omission
"And another act of commission, albeit highly risky, and there are a number of great downsides, is leaking"
Video Transcript AI Summary
Acts of commission in opposing threats to democracy include asking specific questions, wearing symbols of unity, creating a paper trail, leaking information selectively, and forming self-organizing units. Acts of omission involve refusing loyalty oaths, promoting internal debate, and slowing down work. A labor strike or walkout is a higher-risk option. These actions aim to challenge unethical or unconstitutional orders and protect the integrity of elections. It is important to exercise caution and consider potential legal consequences when engaging in these acts.
Speaker 0: We talk about acts of commission and acts of omission. So acts of commission are things that you do that you either are not expected to do or that are contrary to, you know, what the opponent, in this case, the enemies of democracy, want you to do. So in this case, you know, an act of commission would be, you know, as federal workers asking very specific questions, exerting your voice in the workplace, joining with colleagues to make the case for why something may be illegal or unethical. Another act of commission is the wearing of symbols which seems like, you know, a small or a minor thing but it's actually really powerful When lots of people are showing unity and solidarity by wearing symbols, symbols can be nonpartisan. They can be pro democracy And part of me thinks that symbols may be an important way for feds to show support and solidarity around democracy and the integrity of our election after, November 3rd.
Another act of commission is creating a paper trail. So producing a very clearly written account of the problem in question and the actions, that are taken to address it. And this is really, I think in this moment where there may be uncertainty conflicting messaging potentially illegal orders for civil servants federal workers to engage meticulous documentation, to challenge the policies or the directives that they deem unethical or unconstitutional particularly when the orders are given verbally rather than in written form. And another act of commission albeit highly, you know risky and there are a number of great downsides is leaking. So leaking information about pending or actual policies with journalists, with activists, influential people on the outside.
But this, you know, really should be used very judiciously only on truly significant matters because most disclosures outside of formal internal whistleblower are at minimum a violation of contractual duty, and they may put leakers, at significant legal risk. And, of course, if information is classified, employees can be fired or criminally prosecuted as Sarah may talk a little bit about. So another act of, of commission is creating parallel structures or self organizing units. So organizing in the office place, in the workplace. This is particularly important, in the event of abuses of power unethical activity to be able to self organize, make decisions without obeying or legitimizing certain decisions that are made.
So in terms of acts of omission, meaning things that you excited that you don't do, that you're expected to do, or that you're being asked to do. First is, you know, rejecting loyalty oaths, you know, being called upon to swear a loyalty oath, you know, around a candidate and individual, particularly when the outcome of the election is still, in doubt, very important thing. And to foster frank internal debate and transparency with outside stakeholders whenever possible. Another act of omission is going slow or slow down. So, basically, people, bureaucrats, federal workers performing their duties, at a foot dragging pace, which is less likely to attract attention than an overt strike, and has been used in a number of different cases.
And then, you know, another higher risk, effort would be a labor strike or a walkout, would likely be illegal, but it's kind of, a high risk, high impact, a nonviolent action that federal workers can take, if they deem it necessary.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
17. Acts of Commission - Tactics for Federal Workers
-Ask Questions
-Wearing Symbols
-Create a paper trail
-Leaking (high risk)
-Create Parallel Structures/Self-Organizing Units
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
18. Feds For BLM (Wearing Symbols)
"I'm wearing a shirt that I think is acceptable under the Hatch Act. Vote like Black Lives Matter. I would wear something like this and I think you'd be okay wearing that on the job." -Sarah Starrett https://t.co/hfbR5vtR7a
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
19. Leak Everything You Can
"..everyone who works in the federal government, if you read the mainstream press, like who is covering your agency, who is working for @propublica , who is working for @politico . They all have signal accounts. Text them, leak everything you can." https://t.co/90yVbpWZnl
Video Transcript AI Summary
The speaker advises federal government employees to leak information to journalists from mainstream press outlets like ProPublica and Politico. They suggest using Signal to communicate and recommend saving emails and recording meetings. The speaker also suggests writing poorly to make the administration look bad. Whistleblower protections are discussed, and the speaker acknowledges the risk involved in their actions. They mention the possibility of finding another job and suggest passing on information to a colleague with a higher risk threshold. The importance of finding ethical journalists who will protect sources is emphasized.
Speaker 0: Yeah. I
Speaker 1: I just recommend everyone who works in the federal government, if you read the mainstream press, like, who is covering your agency? Who is working for ProPublica? Who is working for Politico? They all have signal accounts. Text them, leak everything you can, save your emails, record I record these meetings.
I send it over. Like and I can't believe I'm showing my face here, but I've been doing this for months. And if you do have to write something, write something with really crappy, you know, just unintelligible, ungrammatical language to just make them look Terrible. And it will look like something that comes from this administration anyway. But
Speaker 0: and to your first point, I know we talked a little bit about Whistleblower protections. Do you have any sense of, like, what is and isn't, covered when you're kind of, like, linking things to a place like ProPublica over Signal or anything like that?
Speaker 1: I I mean, again and I sort of prefaced it. Was like, I don't anticipate keeping the job for too long. So, I'm I'm just taking a risk, and I just believe in it, and I don't really care about the job anymore, which is terrible because I don't know what I'm gonna do without it. But I just figure I'll get another job.
Speaker 0: Yeah. And I think that's definitely an important thing to think about, like, your own risk level. And if you're in a place where you're like, So be it, and taking that level for us is
Speaker 1: The other thing is not everyone's in that position like me where I feel confident about, like, going back on the hunt for your job. You may have a colleague though who has a higher risk threshold than you do. So there's a way that you can pass on that information and that they're willing to be the front for it. Again, The journalists I've dealt with have been super ethical in ways to shield me
Speaker 0: Okay.
Speaker 1: Meaning to be the source of the leaks. So just get to find out who those and most most respectable journalists do that. They try and shield their sources because that's Their their bread and butter that they give them the stories, so they don't wanna throw you under the bus or screw you.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
20. Acts Of Omission - Tactics for Federal Workers
-Go Slow
-Strike or Walkout (Illegal)
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
21. A Combination of Tactics
"I understand that it's important to refuse to " let the trains run on time", for those who aren't able to strike. What would that look like in practical terms?" https://t.co/6LkaGz3oj1
Video Transcript AI Summary
To slow down operations and prevent strikes, the Department of Labor conducts multiple rounds of cost-benefit analysis for new regulations. If cheating on the numbers is suspected, leaked drafts are sent to the Office of Inspector General for investigation. This coordinated effort effectively stops the process. Strikes are considered a last resort, and alternative tactics include go-slow methods and showing solidarity with federal workers. The fear of being fired, as seen during the Reagan administration, discourages federal employees from taking action. However, partnerships with powerful unions in the private sector can provide support and help resolve issues. During the recent government shutdown, the air traffic controllers' issues influenced the unions in the airline industry, contributing to reopening the government.
Speaker 0: To refuse the, quote, let the trains run on time for those who aren't able to strike, what would that look like in practical terms? What does it look like in practical terms to put, you know, to slow the gears down in some ways or another?
Speaker 1: At at the Department of Labor, it it takes the form of, Several rounds of the cost benefit analysis for a new regulation. And when, when the numbers were when people were cheating on the numbers, a copy of that draft got leaked, to the data labor report and it got published and it got sent to a congressperson And the office of inspector general opened an investigation on who was cheating on the numbers. So again, that's sort of a combination of tactics. It's it's It's making really the paper trail. It's making sure that that document got out to someone who could make use of it and then congress getting the office of inspector general involved.
It's It was really a way to stop that thing just in its tracks, and it it worked really well. But it was a coordinated effort by a lot of people.
Speaker 0: Yeah. Absolutely. And, Maria, do you want to add to this?
Speaker 2: Yeah. No. And, you know, the thing about strikes, I I completely agree with where Sarah was coming from. That strike is, kind of the worst option. I laid it out as an option just because it's, you know, it's there.
It's available. It's kind of your conscience is, you know, past The point of no return, if you will. But I you know, there are definitely a lot of different go slow tactics. And I think, you know, this is also an area They're, you know, folks on the outside, so private citizens, those, in groups on the outside being able to show, solidarity with federal workers and And, you know, civil servants is particularly important during this moment, just to tell them, like, you've got, We've got your back on the outside. Do the right thing.
Be ethical. Serve well. And I think we don't often think about that in the protest category, but, like, Incentivizing, folks doing the right thing, and having that be loud and clear is, you know, just, another another option.
Speaker 3: Yeah. I'll add on to that, some information that, frankly, I've learned from other people who are attending this call, that, You know, there's obviously a history of, air traffic controllers, striking in the past and getting fired for that Under the Reagan administration, and I think that has kind of held through as, not just an actual barrier to Striking, but also, do makes federal employees deeply fearful of, action they can take. But I also in the most recent government shutdown, I think there was a really strong relationship between the air traffic controllers, even though they did not Strike at any point, the issues that they pose to the unions in the airline industry that ended up playing a Usual in helping get the government back open. So I think having those partnerships with other, organizations, Powerful unions in the private sector that, can have our backs and vice versa will be really important.
Speaker 0: Great. Thank you So much for everyone. For our 3 speakers and for folks asking, really wonderful, questions to extrapolate on. Right, in the note somebody said, fed flu struck many TSA and air controllers threatening to shut down airports. That is a particular, thing that we can all catch this winter?
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
22. Inside Outside Strategy
"The importance of self organizing with colleagues from within the same bureau and across government agencies...connecting with civic groups and organizations on the outside" https://t.co/CkbWZy6AC7
Video Transcript AI Summary
Federal workers are encouraged to self-organize with colleagues within their bureau and across government agencies to build trust and navigate challenges together. They should also connect with civic groups and have open conversations with them. Legal support and advocacy from civil society organizations can be helpful if they need to take action. Contributing their knowledge and skills to civic groups can be beneficial. It is important to stay in communication with grassroots groups and be prepared in case of a stolen election.
Speaker 0: Being able to think about what you can do, as federal workers and seeing the relationship between those actions and what is happening outside the federal workplace. So really the importance of self organizing with colleagues from within the same bureau and across government agencies, which can help build trust and confidence as federal workers are having to navigate a really difficult terrain together, connecting with civic groups and organizations on the outside and having frank and honest conversations with them. And when you think about it, the legal support and advocacy work of civil society organizations could come in really in handy, you know, if and when you have to take certain actions on the inside. And then, you know, contributing as private citizens, knowledge, skills, expertise to civic groups, organizations that would benefit from them tremendously. And just remaining in communication with those groups that, you know, in a grassroots way or organizing preparing people, in the event that there is a stolen election.
Learn what
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
23. Trump's Schedule F Executive Order
The group of federal workers express their concerns over Schedule F possibly being enacted in Jan 2021.
Schedule F would've required loyalty to the President. https://t.co/noS9LrjKCb
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
24. What If Trump Wins?
"I'm putting my head in the sand on that one. I refuse to accept the possibility." -Sarah Starrett https://t.co/ngzMcuNuhd
Video Transcript AI Summary
The speakers discuss the importance of creating spaces for people to connect and have conversations. They encourage individuals to reach out to colleagues for information and support. They also address a question about mentioning the possibility of a change in administration as part of one's job, stating that it is not illegal but should be framed as a policy question. They emphasize the need to consider all aspects of a problem to avoid arbitrary and capricious decision-making. The topic of preparing for a scenario where Trump refuses to accept defeat is brought up, with one panelist admitting fear of him outright winning but refusing to accept the possibility.
Speaker 0: If you're not sure you have colleagues that you trust to talk to, that's one of the reasons of having this conversation. We wanna start having spaces for people to connect, and so maybe you'll meet somebody through this space that works at your agency that maybe has more information or talk to somebody at a different agency who maybe has awareness of what it's like where you are. So, we wanna help facilitate conversation even if you're not sure who to turn 2 at work.
Speaker 1: Yeah. That's great. So I'm gonna go back to another, question I saw. I have a job that includes offering informed judgment on different matters And mentioning that there's a possible change of administration, and we need to consider that possibility would be considered a normal part of my job. I can see some political appointees reacting badly to that, but it's not against the rules if it's framed in that context.
Does anybody wanna come there was also a comment about how, People might stay away from that, because political appointees would react badly, but, is there any is there anything illegal about it? Is there a problem with that? Any comments?
Speaker 2: I don't think it's illegal. You're just you're just raising a policy question. I mean, one one of the things that we deal with all the time is if we do this, will we get sued? You know, who will sue us and what will be the arguments that they make? So we we have to try to make sure what we do is not arbitrary and capricious.
And so if we fail to consider all the aspects of a problem, it's arbitrary and capricious. You know, so that's part of the job is just sort of calculate what's going on and react, you know, offer options anyway to react to it.
Speaker 1: Great. Excellent. So there's a bigger question, and, maybe we wanna talk about that in the in relation to the topic of the night of wild federal workers about I understand the emphasis on preparing for a scenario where Trump refuses to accept the defeat, but I'm honestly more afraid of him just outright winning. How do we prepare for that? Anybody, any one of our, panelists?
Maria, Maddie, Sarah, wanna take this?
Speaker 2: I'm putting my head in the sand on that one. I refuse to accept the possibility.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
25. Calling It A Coup.
While discussing scenarios, federal bureaucrats plan to name Trump contesting the election as a Coup. They plan to reject Trump's appointees and only assist Biden's Transition Team. https://t.co/cOE3mBHVxx
Video Transcript AI Summary
The speakers discuss the importance of using the term "coup" to describe the current situation. They question whether they should listen to political appointees if they are not legitimate. They mention the need for a transition team if Biden wins, as they did during the previous transition. They express concerns about conflicting narratives regarding the transition and discuss the responsibilities of issuing visitor badges and granting IT access. They mention the challenges of starting work without physical access to the building. They also mention the possibility of choosing the leader based on their understanding of who won the election.
Speaker 0: I think making sure that we're naming what is happening as a coup Mhmm. Language, and communications with coworkers will be really important.
Speaker 1: Yeah. Totally agreed. In the at the NBC conversations that I've been having that's not on the federal We, also are often saying, like, call it a coup. It's a coup. Don't let anyone tell you it's not.
Because the more you normalize that language, the more, it's like it becomes apparent. It's like most centrist folks in in the government might start actually accepting that.
Speaker 0: Yeah. And I think, you know, I work on a project where I'm interacting on a daily basis with our politicals, and starting to call into question if we're in the midst of a coup, should we even be listening to our politicals because they are not here legitimately anymore.
Speaker 2: That's a great question to be asking.
Speaker 3: That said, I know that, you know, we if there's a Biden win next week, there's gonna be a transition team coming in, and, I think I'm gonna be spending a lot of Time working with them because I know, and I was around during the last transition. Like, we spent a lot of time preparing those briefing books, and we are not doing that this time. That is not A priority. And so a lot of that work is gonna have to be done sometime. I mean, the last time we spent about 6 months preparing a big fat briefing book.
That's gonna all have to start all that work's gonna probably happen next week. Not that there was that much achieved policy wise these last 4 years. But I don't know if it's naive to say, but I'm gonna kind of, like, look like, I'm gonna have to shut out the current political appointees and go to the transition team and be like, this is you know, I'm looking ahead to the future. This is this is our work. So, you know, I hate to think that they are gonna be our saviors or something, but,
Speaker 2: Can I Ask another nitty gritty question related to that? So say you have 2 narratives happening simultaneously. There's the existing Trump appointees saying there is no transition team because there's no transition. It's a continuation. Then you have Trump's side or Biden's side saying, I won, and my team is coming to the doors.
Like, what are what are the responsibilities of the various people in your see to issue a visitor badge and physically let someone into the building and give them IT access and set up the meeting.
Speaker 0: Yeah, I mean, I was gonna say, like, yes. They do need computers and stuff, but, like, right now, there are no doors. Like, how do you get done the Zoom logins, or how do you start Mhmm. You know We
Speaker 3: can make those Terminations ourselves. We you know, they say you're gonna keep your account, and we're gonna start, and we're like I don't know. We're like the Lithuanian government in exile or something. We're gonna and then we're gonna start working with them.
Speaker 1: Yeah. And I think it's almost, like, Definitely a risk factor, but if if there's a contested election and it's fairly clear to us who won, We we get to choose who the leader is, and I don't know what risk that puts on you, and and I'm not a fed again, so I don't wanna, like, In a weird situation, but, like, I think that is a point where you and your team and your supervisors and those, non appointee, like, I'm sorry. What's the the term? Career career staff can actually decide, like, well, according to our understanding, Biden won, and therefore, we are listening to his appointees and his transition team.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
Break-Out Room Topics: 3 Scenarios
"All scenarios assume in the week after the election either there is no clear winner or that Trump is denying that he lost." https://t.co/6agTnGTUaj
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
Facilitators Guide For Federal Employee Activism Workshop
This guide was distributed inside the groups "Movement Resources", an internal document hub. https://t.co/CPlJU4HxPJ
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
28. Affinity Groups - Role of Facilitators
This internal document explains how affinity groups can operate together in clusters and the roles within. https://t.co/Gd4cRU2XXT
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
29. Activism Resources For Federal Workers Guide
This internal document was distributed as the meeting ended. It's a tactical guide for federal workers on subverting the government from within. https://t.co/BdddtzJoZx
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
30. Subverting Trump From The Jump
Doc. titled "Federal Service Articles" was linked inside the "Activism Resources for Federal Workers Guide".
It evidences that this network, of subversive bureaucrats, was behind the leaks that plagued the Trump admin and were plotting subversion before Trump was even inaugurated. @propublica leaks.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
31. Stolen Election Action and Campaign
A document titled "Grass Roots Emergency Election Protection Trifecta Action Guide" By Harvey Wasserman was inside their "Movement Resources" along with many other election related resources.
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
32. Grass Roots Emergency Election Protection Trifecta Action Guide
"The 2020 election is not likely to be cancelled or postponed. But it CAN be sabotaged or stolen. It will not be enough this year merely to register and vote. Nowhere near...join election boards, become poll workers and poll watchers, and more."
34. Voter Registration
"The first "leg" of the election trifecta is to register new voters, protect those now on the rolls, and restore those who've been purged." https://t.co/h9KuVI6gTs
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
35. Printing Ballots
"Paper ballots must first be designed, printed, and published. Simple typos and deliberate manipulations can destroy elections." https://t.co/c5FYwpJVRO
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
36. Vote-By-Mail
Mail-in ballots mass harvested and put in drop boxes. https://t.co/eIe3LGvNww
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
37. Chain of Custody
"Tens of millions of paper VBM ballots will arrive at election boards" https://t.co/bn6Kfhz6tc
39. The Ballot Acceptance Choke Point
"In 2020, grassroots election protectionists must be embedded at the critical juncture of this decision-making process. In a massive VBM deployment, literally millions of ballots will arrive with small glitches, errors.." https://t.co/VOypcJpWQK
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
40. Counting & Recounting Ballots
"In Ohio 2004, a federally mandated recount failed when official records from 56 of Ohios 88 counties "disappeared". https://t.co/LzlBk53Gjp
42. Elections Admin State Of Play (8.18.20)
Doc. shared in the groups "Movement Resources" outlining mail-in ballot margins in swing states, status on ballot drop boxes, mobile voting, vote-by-mail rejection rates, projected provisionals and election laws/litigation status. https://t.co/IQYETRvNzR
@Millie__Weaver - Millie Weaver πΊπΈ
44. Interactive Map of Swing States
Doc found inside "Movement Resources" and credited to Patrick Young, Shut Down DC leader. https://t.co/wywIAifiy7
