The People’s Watchdog Newsletter - Feb. 8th

 

👋Happy Saturday. We made it to the end of the week. We are so happy to bring you the first edition of The People’s Watchdog Newsletter. We’ll bring you the news you need to know to hold power accountable from the nonpartisan source you can trust. This week’s Common Cause Newsletter is just a 3 minute read at 698 words. 🗣 Fire Elon Musk This week, we launched our Fire Elon Musk campaign. Why? Because nobody elected him to anything. But Donald Trump has handed him the keys to our government. Elon is getting rid of the people who keep our country running: those who keep the lights on in our homes and offices, who make sure our food and water is safe to eat and drink, and who make sure the air we breathe is clean and safe. President & CEO Virginia Kase Solomón asked, “who’s running this country: Donald Trump or Elon Musk?” The answer is: an unaccountable billionaire who does not represent the people or our values. Common Cause’s Annastacia Belladonna-Carrera at an anti-Project 2025 rally in Minnesota. Photo by Estelle Timar-Wilcox | MPR News We won’t let any CEO inflict more harm on our country or our democracy. Here’s what we’re doing to fight this constitutional crisis: On Monday, Common Cause, End Citizens United, and other advocacy organizations sent a letter to Donald Trump demanding he fire Elon Musk. And 54,247 everyday Americans signed our petition – add your name here. 📢 We bought a website (FireMusk.org), a moving billboard in D.C., and even a full-page ad in the Washington Post to spotlight Elon Musk’s failures and let the people – and policymakers – know the problems he’s causing. Stay tuned. 👀 We’ll highlight how Elon got rich from what he might refer to as “government handouts,” or millions of dollars in federal contracts for his businesses. If he really wants us to believe he’s working for the people -- and not to further enrich himself -- he needs to put his money where his mouth is and give up his contracts. 💰 This is only the beginning. For more on this campaign, visit FireMusk.org. ✏️ The End of a Free Press Late last week, the Department of Defense announced that it would remove four major news organizations from their offices inside of the Pentagon to implement a new “annual rotation program.” It means established and independent media outlets like The New York Times, NBC News, NPR, and Politico will be replaced with biased, right-wing media outlets like Breitbart. That's exactly what taking away freedom of the press looks like, folks. 👀 ICYMI We're working so hard to protect our democracy, we could write you a novel instead of a newsletter. Instead, here are the top headlines you don't want to miss: National 🦅: Common Cause President & CEO Virginia Kase Solomón speaks on the current state of democracy and how Americans can remain hopeful and join the fight to defend it. Click here to read the story in Salon. California 🐻: California Common Cause’s Executive Director speaks on the devastation of the recent Los Angeles fires, how online disinformation hurts everyone in times of crisis, and what Common Cause is doing to combat it. Read the story in Yahoo News. New Mexico 👽: A new proposal from Common Cause New Mexico is moving through the state legislature to create opportunities for more people to become state lawmakers by paying them salaries. This would help make way for a more equitable, representative state government. Read in the story in Yahoo News. Maryland 🦀: This week, Common Cause Youth Engagement Organizers advocated for lowering the voting age to 16 for citywide elections in College Park, which would enable more young people to be civically engaged. Read the story in The Diamondback. Minnesota 🛶: Common Cause Minnesota’s Executive Director spoke at a rally protesting Project 2025 at the state Capitol, encouraging Minnesotans to lean into their collective power to defend democracy. Read the story in PineandLakes Echo Journal. 📱 Our Favorite Tweet 🗞️ Kicker Quote Crossword Thanks for reading. Keep your friends, family, and colleagues in the know and invite them to sign up.

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