Standing With Montanans on No Kings Day

Who ever thought we’d see masked men taking people off the streets in Montana? A U.S. Senator shackled for speaking out? A military parade wasting millions of our tax dollars?

This isn’t about our political parties anymore. This is about whether we stand up to authoritarianism.

I’m standing up. I’m not afraid. I’m knocking doors and organizing in every corner of Montana. I know what’s at stake.

On No Kings Day, I’ll be standing shoulder to shoulder with Montanans across this state for one reason: to defend the principle that no president, billionaire, or political party stands above the people.

Authoritarianism has come to America step by step. It came when leaders demanded loyalty to themselves instead of to the Constitution. It came when they attacked public servants, courts, journalists, and elections. It came when basic rights became bargaining chips for political gain.

Authoritarianism will be here to stay if good people stay silent.

Montanans are not silent. The people standing up and speaking out in their communities today are not silent.

We have concerns, valid concerns. We’re standing up for public education because strong schools are the foundation of self-governance. We’re fighting for an equitable society where every Montanan, no matter where they live or who they are, has the chance to build a good life with one good job that pays enough to afford rent or a mortgage.

We’re defending our public health system, making sure that our hospitals, clinics, and providers remain open and fully staffed in every corner of this state. No one should have to drive three hours for blood work, especially our Veterans.

We’re standing up for our Veterans by fighting to protect the services they earned through their sacrifice.

All of these issues are important and deserve our full attention but now, every day as we live our daily lives, we must face that we are descending into an authoritarian state where we are coming face to face with tyranny.

We don't do kings in Montana. We don’t do kings in America. We have a system to keep the executive branch in check. We need to be flexing it.

Today and for the next year and a half, we’re fighting to take back both the House and the Senate and hold the administration in D.C. accountable to the people. Our democracy depends on leaders who only answer to the people, not to their own ambition or party bosses like our current delegation in D.C.

We need to vote for representatives who will hold this reckless, out-of-control executive branch accountable.

We have to be clear: this is not about parties anymore. I’m running for U.S. Senate as a a Democrat because I’m a woman but I don’t care if there’s a D or an R next to a name. If any president, if any elected official tries to dismantle the Constitution, I’ll call them out. And I’d celebrate anyone in D.C. holding the president accountable.

This is about whether we believe in self-rule or not because right now, our self-rule is on the line.

I respect elections. Steve Daines was elected. But he does nothing. He hides behind a Constitution he’s never read. He does nothing while our democracy slips away. Sheehy stole taxpayer money and calls himself a patriot. Zinke is an embarrassment.

Nobody is making these elected officials do anything for Montana. That’s where we come in. We can stand up, organize, and keep the pressure on, even if they don’t respond.

A few days ago in Libby, we sat in 95-degree heat under a shelter in Fireman’s Park. Folks showed up, talked, listened, and stood up for their communities. The Montanans in that dusty picnic shelter came to local solutions, they recruited candidates on the spot and built strategy for engaging residents across the district.

This is how we build this movement to depose self-appointed kings, by flexing our democracy muscles again.

Montana is not red or blue. Montana is Montana. Our people are good. They know right from wrong. They know that masked men taking people off the streets is not who we are. They know that if we don’t hold this line now, we may not get another chance.

I believe in our state. We're going to put fires out even if the feds gut the funding and staff needed to fight fires here. We’re going to make sure our neighbors are taken care of. I believe in Montana. It's a special place.

No Kings Day is a statement that self-governance requires vigilance, courage, and action. First, we come together. Then, we take this energy to the polls and change the course of history.

No kings. No masters. We the People govern in Montana.