Senator Brian Schatz didn’t mince words when assessing Trump’s first week back in office: “It was exactly as expected,” meaning cruel, chaotic, and filled with executive orders that do nothing to help working Americans. In a new exclusive interview with MeidasTouch co-founder Ben Meiselas, Schatz called out Trump’s moves, from freezing FEMA hiring and cancer research to launching mass deportation raids and pushing legally dubious policies like ending birthright citizenship. “There’s nothing in these executive orders that lowers prices for anyone,” he said, making it clear that Trump’s focus is on power, not prosperity.
One of the biggest dangers Schatz highlighted is RFK Jr.'s nomination to lead Health and Human Services, calling him a threat to public health given his history of promoting vaccine conspiracies. “This guy has raw power to tank vaccines,” Schatz warned, citing new reports on RFK Jr.'s role in a measles outbreak that killed dozens in Samoa. Meanwhile, Trump is floating distractions like annexing Canada and getting rid of FEMA—ideas that are legally impossible but serve to keep the public from focusing on his failures. “He’s not king,” Schatz said. “But where he has raw authority, like on tariffs and immigration, we should be very worried.”
Schatz emphasized that while the fight will be tough, Democrats and the public aren’t powerless. “We have to pick our battles and make Trump’s losses political losses,” he said. “This is going to be rough, but we’re not rolling over.”
Watch the full interview with Senator Schatz ad-free exclusively here on the Meidas+ Substack! To support content like this and more, consider joining as a paid subscriber today.
My senator
Need to enforce EMOLUMENT CLAUSES OF THE CONSTITUTION which say congress and President must live on SALARY ALONE during their term and not take any OUTSIDE MONEY . This is an anticorruption clause in the main body of CONSTITUTION and has been ignored as MAGA can't look up what emolument means
True and still needs to be sent to their offices DAILY if you have time to do this! I’m going to start today . Thanks for the suggestion.
And who will enforce the law? the executive office is to enforce the law and we see who is head of that branch of government. And the judges are already empowered him, the army is at his bacon call and the congress will go along. Anyone who opposes gets arrested, dismissed, and will be engaged in a bankrupting legal battle just to survive (which I predict will fail) and then they will be penniless, homeless, and or imprison or execuited.
"We're not rolling over"? I'm not from Michigan, but I had high hopes for newly elected Senator Elissa Slotkin. She just voted "yes" for Kristi Noem. Am I missing something?
I donated to her, to Fetterman (numerous times), to Kaine and to Andy Kim, four of them who voted yes on Noem. Those will be the last donations I'll be making to any of them.
Write each a note /email / WRITE and COMPLAIN & tell each that you are not offering your financial support any longer!
I'm great at writing emails. I've already written Fetterman - not about his vote yet, but his Manchin-like actions that I find appalling. TY.
Fetterman is the only Democratic Senator that did not sign onto a letter condemning the pardon of January 6 insurrectionists.
I am so disappointed in him. I thought he was some special.
Actually, that's been updated. He did sign on when Senator Murphy read the resolution on the floor today. So all Democratic Senators signed. but as for Fetterman? Yep... done with him. I don't trust him not turning into a Manchin.
I’m glad he signed.
Processing issues from his stroke? He does seem different than when he was running for office.
Fetterman has been a let down
Telephone each of their offices & leave message clearly stating your name & location & you’re ending your financial support!
Maybe we should stop donating to all these CROOKED politicians. Most of them wind up being turncoats anyway.
Yup they have billionaires — more than one! Notice photos of line up on Inauguration Day last week… they’re all In bed together… and we supported Kamala in the multi millions and still she could not win 🙃 .
Things that make you go Hmmmm 🤔
Yup . We can pester with withdrawal of our financial support ( we’re many many Votes..
the billionaires EACH are only ONE .. VOTE …
and they bought a few more
To squash Kamala’s run for the Presidency… at the last moment…. from folks who didn’t read up . . . . So … we’ve got work cut out for us ALL.
We can’t watch & wait to see T put an ANTI VAXER in charge of our National HEALTH.
Which would take ALL VACCINES .. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), POLIO, and many other ongoing vaccinations would disappear!
INCLUDING S H I N G L E S
These ‘old’ vaccines have protected our families, ourselves, our neighbors, our visiting relations..
We Have Work To Do ! !
Join a group in your neighborhood or singing or dancing or ride-share world ..
WRITE emails daily … send Post Cards to your State & Local Representatives…
Then hit the Washington representative and senators from your state !
STAY CONNECTED TO EACH
OTHER !
Write them each a note, email, text their office. They have staff counting all incoming ‘mail’
Vote all six out when they’re up for reelection.
I voted an sent reoccurring donations to Andy Kim. I’ve got to call there now…
Be sure to let them know you'll never donate to them again! I'm calling their offices and sending emails too.
Already done this morning!
Seven Dems voted yes to confirm the puppy murderer.
😡
Call and find out why she did it. hold them accountable. make some noise.
We’ve got to make NOISE
B E F O R E the Votes are called!!
Ask her why she voted for Noem. Send her an inquiry through her website.
Reminder: behind all this ‘drama’ is PROJECT 25. Created by The Heritage Foundation.
Google this and learn more about who, what, how & why this group of ultra wealthy Americans are overwhelming our government. They’ve been working on their plan for over 30 years.
Aiming to turn our young country into a Christian sanctuary of the earliest 19th Century.
Do your homework! Invite friends for coffee or an evening read. Compare your interpretations of what they are intending to create in Our United States.
Opus Dei....the secretive ultra-conservative Catholic sect has been a part of pushing this radical agenda for decades....
Together with the Christo-fasist Christian Nationalist cult........Pruject 2025......
It ia a deadly mix now........they will be relentless and keep going unless resistance stiffens.........people need to wake up very fast
I have a real concern that this huge swamp of BILLIONAIRES has so much to give away that they are in fact BUYING our WHOLE govt.
Vote Slotkin out when she runs for reelection. No democrat should vote for any of his picks they’re all not qualified.
Peters voted for her too. I have written them and will not be voting/donating again for them, even when it's years away. I have a list going. Watch Dingell voting record too.
Let her know you'll never support her again! I also donated to her campaign and won't ever give her another penny!
She’s ‘missing’ your Opinion & Expectation of whom you want representing your beliefs & opinions.
We need to make sure that the MAGA's know that ICE sent deportation flights every single week while Biden was in office. The felon Trump thinks by making a lot of NOISE over this he's doing something new and different! He's NOT! Check the ICE Website and see what they did deportation wise over the last 4 years! It's astounding! 240 flights last year to Columbia alone, plus many other flights to other countries! This is NOTHING new. The felon Trump thinks he's the hero here and he's NOT. This is the JOB of ICE! What did they think there were doing every year? Sitting around doing nothing!
I did not know this.
There was a difference though from the Biden and Obama Administrations, although they deported millions they used private charters if they were flown out, rather than the much more costly air force planes and personnel that Trump is exploiting for his Maga Morons that need to be entertained.
Well he gets to look like "a boss" and a strong leader when he sends the military planes out. the military planes are costing US the TAXPAYERS, ~$875,000/per trip whereas the private chartered planes cost around $8,500 per trip. If there's a way to soak the taxpayers while making himself look like the BMOC, he'll take it every time.
I guess with that type of aircraft is why countries aren't accepting the flights? Maybe it raised eyebrows of those that were concerned about their countries SECURITY!
That's because the Biden administration didn't use that as a talking point during his four years. For the last two years, when all of those smooth brains went down to the border to show the alleged influx of migrants, they saw nothing. Biden and Harris tightened up the border security. Now the Shidiot has ICE picking up anyone that has brown skin. If someone tells me that he isn't a racist one more time, I might go to jail.
Agreed! People with brown skin are being targeted! This was talked about in New Jersey. When ICE was there, they only asked for brown skin people's papers. Evidently, there were many white people there and they did NOT ask them anything! The owner stated there was a white girl there that is from Russia. They asked her nothing. However, the owner did say she is a legal immigrant. But how did ICE know that? A bad LOOK for our racists MAGA government!
Mitch McConnell should be front and center talking about polio, loud and clear.
He was elected, and is not a king. He's following the Project-25 steps and is acting as a authoritarian. This is our country and we will not back down. Fascist want to instill fear. Do not be fearful, stand strong and resist!
One quick ask. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI, D) has indicated he may be a YES vote for RFK, Jr's confirmation to lead HHS in the Felon's cabinet because of their years of friendship which began in law school. He was elected to represent the Democratic voters in RI, not to vote out of friendship. RFK, Jr's confirmation hearing is set for the 29th. Please, before the hearing, send an email to Whitehouse to vote NO on his confirmation. I am willing to die for my country. I am not willing to die because an anti-vaxer wants us all to welcome polio, measles, mumps, chickenpox, COVID, smallpox back into the lives of our children and grandchildren. You can go to his page using this link https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/ and it does allow comments from other state voters, not just RI. Hundred of medical professionals oppose this cabinet nomination. Let's inundate his office. He was elected to serve the voters. To see Democratic Senators voting to confirm dangerous cabinet appointees is a bridge too far!
Whitehouse needs to sit down and have a one-to-one conversation with Mitch McConnell. True, he's one of the fortunate ones to have lived a long life after polio, but so many were not.
I just emailed him and then took the opportunity to email the 7 Senators who voted to confirm Noem. No excuse for a yes vote from any Democratic Senator for these appalling Cabinet picks.
TY Sally. Agree!
Did Whitehouse know Jr was an addict in law school? Or was he one of the blind?
I wondered the same but gosh - there are significant signs of addiction that if Whitehouse missed those, not sure how close of a friend he is/was or he's a damn idiot and everything I admired about him is gone.
oh, did NOT know this. I knew he was a heroin addict for a number of years, but I didn't know it started when he was college age.
He's on record saying it helped him reach the top of his class. https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-rfk-jr-says-heroin-helped-him-reach-top-his-class-1991956 He wants heroin, etc. legalized, yet he's against vaccines because they "kill" people. I suspect the drugs he took and advocates have killed far more people than those vaccines he wants to ban.
😱
Done
TY Claire!
Thanks for the link. Just sent him a quick email asking him to vote NO. Sadly, I thought he was one of the better Senators.
TY Peg. Same. I also thought he was one of the better ones. I'm not losing hope however as no vote has occurred and gosh, the confirmation hearing isn't until the 29th. Lots of time for people to reach out and try to change what is being reported (by him).
Great comments but we are being]g swamped by insane resolutions....
Yes, because it's part of their strategy. Their overall goal is to shock us into submission so we stay quiet and to distract us from their goal of looting the treasury and the American people. They want the corps to make more money so the executives make more money. It's a play for a bigger money grab.
Great interview 👍 Thx 😊
Pick ONE a Day to respond
TAX DAY
This was excellent! I was worried about FEMA, now I am not.
Who can tell us about the cancelling of all the medical research?
That seems catastrophic to me because I know that type of research cannot just be "paused". It can ruin the results for the researchers/scientists who have spent years on it.
Ben... could you please draw attention to the Trump edict ending US support for mine clearing operations around the world. This is despicably cruel...so many children at risk especially in places like vietnam where mines left by the US are still killing/maiming children. Thank you.
I get tired of hearing how Democrats “blew it”. While they worked, trump and his billionaire buddies worked 24/7/365 for minimum 4 years to con, lie , cheat and steal another election. And you know they can sit back while someone does all that for them.
Now while he does his hate work, shutting down anyone and anything to destroy history and this country, we stay busy. While we are busy he will make “arrangements” to “gut” Gaza. This caring man who has plans?? I would say this president conman will dream of what he and his wealthy ass creeps will build on the Gaza Strip which most know is on the Mediterranean. He has already expected other countries to take the Palestinians in, leaving this amazing piece of real estate…..for his trump tower?? 🤔😡
We need to see them on social media everyday!!! They are being so calm about everything. I dealt with that during the election. I worked at the polls and then didn’t want me to interact with the trumpers even if they tried to with me . I think that was the wrong approach!
The egg and coffee prices remind me of when Covid first hit. Grocery shelves were bare except for the vegan options. Eggs? For baking I substitute flax and water. Coffee substitutes also abound. I just won't buy certain items or make my own.
As Senator Schatz pointed out, their focus can't be everywhere and they have to choose their battles. I would like to see more focus on keeping these unqualified loyalists from being nominated into their respective positions, that's where the real danger lies.
NEW SONG ALERT: Hope They Enjoy Cheaper Eggs......
https://www.meidasplus.com/p/new-song-alert-hope-they-enjoy-cheaper?utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&utm_medium=email
The Dems have been rolling over and playing dead! Where is the outrage? We voted for you and you all have done very little to curtail his rise to power. ffs
For shame. For shame.
Wow. Senator Schatz, your dad was an American hero. Thanks for sharing.
This interview made me feel better. However, the harm and the millions of dollars spent on deportations is going to hurt us all. Agriculture, construction, restaurants, hotels, etc, etc, etc. Thank you for conducting these interviews. We don’t hear from the democrats unless you interview them. 💙
Read the past years’ numbers during Biden’s four years.
Regarding Senator Schatz’s point about messaging the fact that we are being ripped off :
As Eric Swallwell characterizes the Republican stance: “There’s the rich and then there’s the rest of us.” It’s somewhat alliterative and it’s easy to message.
Ben - one thing that needs to be added to the constant reminder list is to explain to everybody over and over again that tariffs are not gonna cost the countries that are supplying products to the US. It’s gonna cost the US consumers or businesses and we can’t let Trump get away with that lie
#FOTUS should be impeached.. this is really out of hand! 😡
Time to sue F RUMP for inhumane treatment and abuse of the American people. Nothing he has done has been for the welfare of American citizens. Time to consider an impeachment!
RFK Jr. wouldn't be saying that if he or a family member needed life saving medicine. Though I hear, his family doesn't back him. He's nuts! Ever had polio or smallpox. Me either, I was vaccinated. Never got Covid either. His father and uncle are rolling over in their graves.
Best interview yet. Thanks to Ben and Senator Schatz, whose clarity is refreshing. I like the message that they’re “ripping you off.” Wash, rinse, repeat.
I'm wondering when we're going to hear about all these hundreds of lawsuits that were prepared to be filed against Trump's craziness. All I've heard about is the one about citizenship for those who are born here. Not that that isn't important but what about all the other lawsuits that we were promised by the Democrats?
Agree. Why does it appear no one is fighting back?
He's absolutely correct in saying that the battles need to be picked. And we need to look at the areas where DJT already has a lot of power (eg. immigration) and opposed to areas where he hasn't got a lot of power (eg. trying to change the Constitution by issuing an Executive Order on birthright citizenship). It's impossible to put out all the fires constantly lit by DJT. As Ben rightly points out, DJT is a Weapon of Mass Distraction, confusing and fatiguing the masses with his outrageous, erratic, and often illegal ideas and decisions, many of which are a smokescreen for what he isn't doing what he promised he would do - bring down the price of eggs and groceries, provide affordable housing, end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours etc etc.
💙These short interviews with legislators. Can you cycle through all the liberals in Congress? Maybe give a space to some R friendlies. There are a few.
I sure as hell hope that the Dems aren't just going to roll over! I do understand the approach of picking their battles and making sure that failures are Trump's political failures, not the Dems. I hope the Democratic governors and the Republicans that aren't fully MAGA are getting together to protect their individual states in a similar manner. Anything that can be done now better be underway!
Watch HR7 and the "Womens Medical Centers" Dig deep to see what is actually being said.
I need to update my 5Cs label administration…after this Sen.Schatz interview… this Trump administration is a 6Cs administration…CHAOS….CONFUSION…CRISES…CORRUPTION…COLLATERAL (CONSEQUENCES)…. & now CRUEL…!!
Such a great podcast, ya know it makes sense when I listened closely to this, “IT” the WMD and his Republican Advisors, inundated the people with so much folks are spinning not able to comprehend , THAT WAS THEIR PLAn😳 So when I see posts like my senator voted for Kristi Noem I’ll never support them again😳 wow folks really? They aren’t going to win every singe battle, they are not going to stop the multitude of wrongs being perpetrated every single day. These folks are on your side picking the battles that they feel are the most important and most concerning to their constituents, thinking they can just blanket solve it all fast and easily and turning on them without understanding all the facts and reasoning behind their decisions is wrong. These folks in Congress you voted in need support especially now. Believe what you want, but while they’re there now, please support them👍👍
Writing stuff will not stop him. Or them!
Impeach now!
Republicans have the Majority in both House and Senate Republicans would never vote for impeaching their President😳
I believe impeachment will only be effective if Trump does something harsh enough so that a portion of his supporters consider it over the top. If his supporters aren't all in, then neither will the Republicans in the Senate be, and like the legal cases against him did, it will embolden them all. Then ya got JD Vance is just another billionaire puppet. Probably even worse...
💯%👍👍
So we just curl up and capitulate?
Absolutely not, never ever give up the good fight, there are many groups, networks, folks that share your concerns, reach out to like minded folks if you can, more heads more ideas, more resistance, I’m your Northern neighbour, I’m 💯% on your side, 👍🙂
I know! They didn’t last time. And he lost last time!! It’s the open investigation and getting it in the face of the public that will hurt him.
In order for the open investigation to even be initiated or begin they have to vote to proceed to start the process, my point is the Republicans in majority won’t pass the initial mandatory vote needed to start the Impeachment process. The only reason he was Impeached in his last term was Democrats were the majority and they had the votes to proceed with the investigation, he was found not guilty by the Republican majority Senate.
TRUMP WILL OVERPLAY HIS HAND. BE READY FOR WHEN HE DOES:
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/trump-will-overplay-his-hand-be-ready?utm_source=post-banner&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&triedRedirect=true
Don't say that there are things that can't be done, It can, and that would be possible when his MAGA judges, and members of Congress push it forward. Trump has the Army and all the state legislatures. It is naive to think he CAN'T, because he can and he will do it if things all fall into place as he has set things up.
I wanna believe.
To hear how these people don't care about medical services is scary. But you can bet they are all vaccinated.
I expected Fetterman to be a traitor, but these other 5 are total disappointments........WTF??
To everyone that commented on my post about Elissa Slotkin voting "yes" on both the Lakin Riley Act and Noem's nomination thank you. I just sent a message to her asking her why she did do. She's not my Senator, but my sister did attend one of her fundraisers. I'll let you know if she responds.
I appreciate senator Schatz’s remarks that all is not lost and the resistance has to pick its battles. I was feeling pretty confident Trump has the brown shirts ordered for his “patriot” army. Hopefully the other two co-equal branches can slow the delivery.
Schatz emphasized that while the fight will be tough, Democrats and the public aren’t powerless. “We have to pick our battles and make Trump’s losses political losses,” he said. “This is going to be rough, but we’re not rolling over.” Political losses???? How's that going to help in the immediate future???? Picking our battles???? Dems need to fight all battles. This is really discouraging. I'm surprised you thought this was a good interview!
Wasn’t the point to fight the battles you can win? As in any war there will be tough times. The executive branch does have autonomy for those things the legislative has enacted.
All I've seen from the Democrats is capitulation. Except for a handful who are carrying the weight without support. They are voting for completely unqualified people. They know it, and do it anyway. I sometimes wonder what their grandparents would think of their behavior. Perhaps they should take a quiet moment to think about it. I'm ashamed for my Country.
This ass...RFK...is a HUGE mistake waiting to happen
Sen Schatz is right -- the overall schtick is taking money from the have-nots and shuffling it to the filthy rich, all while keeping us in the dark. Can we manage to resist? "It's a little soon to say" is so true, Sen Schatz! There are things we can do ... looks like it's on all of us now. Thanks for keeping us informed!!
Excellent interview. We need to be lifting up these sort of under the radar folks and encourage them to do their job. On a sort of unrelated train of thought, seems Columbia caved to trump and I hope that will not be the start of a trend Trump has to be floating on cloud 9 with all his power now.
Awesome interview with my senator from Hawaii! Articulate, thoughtful and to the point. We need to pick our battles and keep driving home the same relevant message with one voice. Be strong. We got this!
I am a supporter of the Meidas brothers and this substack. I also am a physician supporting rfk. I have followed him for several years and listened to his speeches. He is not anti vaccine as the msm has labeled him. He is for vaccines that have been properly tested and proven safe. Hello Covid “vaccines “. I refer everyone to a substack by VinayPrasad about the Samoa measles debacle. That was not because of rfk . He wants transparency and ending the rubber stamping of the fda and cdc for pharma. He is for open debate of medical treatments without censorship of those who may have a different perspective and viewpoint. I think most of us would agree that the present healthcare system desperately needs reform as it continues to swallow enormous funds with little to show for it. He may not last four years, but someone needs to initiate some reforms and improve the health of our citizens
Impeach him already! Every day. The courts move too slowly and are ridiculous.
No he won’t get removed but it will affect his regime and will help in 2026.
Stop capitulation and do something
Thank you for this interview
could you please let us know somehow the date and time of the interviews you're sharing with us??
There are many diseases who effect just a few hundred people. They need and deserve research to be done so they can live as fully as possible.
Pick our battles? It is all a battle. And capitulation on certain things will buy Congressional Democrats exactly nothing. No cooperation. It is stupid and embarrassing.
Shove the Presidency Down Trump’s Throat......
https://newrepublic.substack.com/p/shove-the-presidency-down-trumps?utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&triedRedirect=true
Imagine his “buddies” building a Trump Tower in exchange for a lot of stuff, only to stab him in the back later on by destroying said tower to mock Trump to his face. Got to think Trump will throw a tantrum, but our enemies will have their nasty ways to deal with his tantrums. Lots of money won't be able to get him out of their traps as they will drain him dry.
Please stop. We are NOT allowing Felon Traitor Trump a third term. That is NOT happening.
Sorry this is so weak. A straight white man is not about to tell us that “we need to pick a few.” WHO THE HELL US WE?!
Good interview. Wise comments.
Hawaii has 2 great Senators! Schatz and Hirono. Younger than many others, very smart, plain speaking politicians.
Congrats Hawaii!
Agreed! No surprises in first week. trump/GOP were aligned to implement
Project 2025 and fulfill all his promises. Cruelty, chaos, dismantling any protections from oligarchs, powerful monied entities, deregulate, punish and get vengence on trump/GOP/MAGA opponents-it is expected and here to battle for real. No more GOP claims that "trump was just kidding."
Love this guy!
Please call your Senators -- demand they protect us. The time for niceness is over! At 81, I've seen what polio does --
Senator Schatz is a voice of reason, and gives me hope that things will not be as bad as I originally had feared!
How are they fighting this craziness? Who can turn to to bring lawsuits or cases against these unconstitutional acts. I don’t see anyone who can bring these lawsuits doing anything. Are the Democrats just going roll over and take it? I am a senior who is afraid of his my
Last years are going to be lived. In a democracy or a dictatorship. How can we fight back with the exception of voting. I fear voting may not even be available in 2026 of 2028.
Did you see the article written by Paul Krugman regarding Trumps immigration plans and what he wants to create in the U.S. as a result?
Yes, my senator!
Senator Schatz has integrity and he is smart. Thanks for the interview.
Excellent interview!!
Great to have someone shed light on the real dangers of Trump’s first week of craziness
I'd like to know the stats on Bluesky shares. Curious I guess.
I so appreciate the work of MeidasTouch. I have decided that one thing I can do is reach out through email to the people that you interview or mention in your newsletters. I’m hoping a thank you and encouragement to speak out more often will make some small difference.
I also loved your interview with Senators Schatz when he spoke about speaking in a way that voters can relate to. He’s terrific!
OT but I was so pleased to discover our Charlie Angus is authoring now on Substack:
Charlie Angus/The Resistance
I don't know for a fact but I think the Meidas Mighty really inspired him. Thank you.
"You gotta kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight."
Well said!
I need guidance on using your TV network. I can never find the segments you promote on your emails when I turn to your YouTube station. I can find dozens of others, but not the ones you specifically suggest in emails. Please advise. I am becoming very annoyed. Thanks.
Thanks Ben, for having Senator Schatz on the MeidasTouch to explain in clear language what's important and what is a distraction. I really appreciate his approach and hope he will be back sometime soon.
Super informative and encouraging information.
Didn’t leave a dent in the ag community
Thanks so much. Needed Monday morning encouragement to continue reacting/responding
to all the white wash coming from DC….
My wife and I donated to Obama/Biden, HRC, Biden/Harris, Harris/Walz, and George Clooney's PSYChO/PAC. I enjoyed this interview. Thank you.
Thank you MTN for bringing us the truth about Chump , his slimy ways, and everything in between.
Yes, and what he's doing this time is 💯 % worse.