New Profiles in Courage: The MAGA Battle (Week 12)

From mass protests to legal challenges, individuals and groups stand firm in defense of democracy, civil rights, and justice.

New York, N.Y. — The week of April 7–13, 2025, showcased powerful resistance to President Donald Trump’s policies. From mass protests to legal challenges, individuals and groups stood firm in defense of democracy, civil rights, and justice.

This column highlights three notable examples of courage during this period, followed by The Stewardship Report Index of Opposition Heroes.

Profile 1: The Headliner – Judge Beryl Howell

On April 7, Judge Beryl Howell issued a landmark ruling blocking a Trump administration executive order that sought to revoke security clearances from law firms previously involved in investigations against him.

Citing First Amendment violations, Howell’s decision was hailed as a defense of judicial independence amid political intimidation.

Her history of standing up to Trump—including overseeing grand jury matters during the Mueller investigation—underscores her commitment to fairness despite personal attacks from MAGA-aligned groups.

Profile 2: The Under-the-Radar – Beth Nakamura

Photojournalist Beth Nakamura captured the essence of the April 5 “Hands Off!” protests, where over 600,000 people rallied nationwide against Trump’s immigration policies and proposed social program cuts.

Her viral images and subsequent column exposing local officials’ complicity sparked public scrutiny and investigations.

Despite losing freelance opportunities due to MAGA backlash, Nakamura’s work exemplifies the power of independent journalism to hold leaders accountable.

Profile 3: The Group Effort – The Indivisible Movement

The “Hands Off!” protests on April 5 were organized by indivisible in collaboration with advocacy groups like MoveOn.

hese demonstrations targeted Trump’s policies on Medicaid cuts, immigrant expulsions, and authoritarian governance.

With events spanning all 50 states and beyond, the coalition mobilized grassroots resistance against systemic injustice, proving the strength of collective action.

Judge Beryl Howell, Beth Nakamura, and the Indivisible movement demonstrate that courage takes many forms—legal rulings, journalistic integrity, and mass mobilization. Their actions remind us that democracy thrives when individuals and communities resist oppression.

Who will step forward next? Send us your stories for next week’s column.

#ProfilesInCourage #MAGAResistance #HumanRights #CivilRights
#DemocracyDefenders #JusticeForAll #GrassrootsActivism
#IndependentJournalism #JudicialIndependence #ProtestPower

Tags: MAGA Resistance, Human Rights, Democracy, Civil Rights, Donald Trump,
Judge Beryl Howell, Beth Nakamura, Indivisible Movement, Hands Off Protests,
Grassroots Activism, Judicial Independence, Independent Journalism