The Pushback: Powerful Leaders Take a Stand Against Trump 

The Trump administration sparked an uproar igniting resistance from political leaders who are pushing back against policies they consider dangerous or harmful to Americans. From strong opposition in Congress to bold protests and social movements, these leaders use their platforms to advocate for the communities they serve. 

Who are these leaders? 

101 Magazine spotlights how some prominent figures don’t believe in capitulation when it comes to Trump. 

Former Vice President Kamala Harris 

(Courtesy/National Public Radio) 

Kamala Harris, former Vice President under Joe Biden, became one of Trump’s fiercest political opponents. After Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed her, Harris took the challenge of running against Trump in what was a highly contested election. 

She advocated for women’s reproductive rights and immigration reform and fervently opposed inflation. Harris ran a solid campaign with slogans like ‘We’re Not Going Back’ and ‘When we fight, we win.’ Her bold stance on women’s rights came into the spotlight after Trump supported the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. 

Many people doubted that she could run a presidential campaign in 107 days. However, with the help of her team, including her Vice President pick, Tim Walz, she got the job done. 

Harris took to the road rallying for votes in key swing states with strong support from celebrities such as Beyonce, Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Taraji P Henson. She also garnered support from political figures, even those who worked under Trump for his first term, like his former Vice President Mike Pence, former White House attorney Ty Cobb and former Press Secretary Sarah Matthews. 

She also received support from the Divine 9, especially from her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Her support also stemmed from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) community as she attended and graduated from Howard University.

“Kamala Harris’ campaign inspired a lot of HBCU students, especially at Howard,” Lauryn Hash, a junior legal communications major, said. “We were able to witness the first Black woman Vice President run for office, making students believe we could do the same thing since she walked in the very halls we are walking in right now.” 

Although she lost the election, she made history as a leading voice of resistance against Trump’s policies and a beacon for the future of women in politics.

Al Green

(Courtesy/BBC) 

Democratic House Representative Al Green (D-TX) made his mark as an outspoken critic of the Trump administration from the very beginning. He is no stranger to standing up for what he believes in. Green was one of the eight members of Congress arrested in October 2013 for protesting the reform of the United States immigration system. 

He was the first Democrat to call for President Trump’s impeachment during Trump’s first term, but his activism didn’t stop there. On March 4, 2025, Green was once again in the spotlight for his vocal opposition to Trump during the President’s address to Congress. Green’s passionate outburst during the address, where he yelled that Trump didn’t have a mandate, led to his removal from the chamber.

But Green is dedicated.

“It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up to Trump,” he said.

Al Green’s removal from the chamber during Trump’s address showed his resistance is deeply personal because he does not approve of Trump’s goal as President. His outburst symbolized the frustration of many Americans who felt that Trump’s presidency lacked legitimacy. 

“Green was being authentic to who he is, and he’s taking a more direct approach within the movement, which is powerful to me,” said Nkosi Brown, a junior public relations major.  “Even though there were consequences for his actions, he said he would do it again. This is a reflection of standing up for what you believe in and getting into good trouble.” 

By continuously calling for Trump’s impeachment, even when it was unpopular, Green positioned himself as a relentless advocate for accountability, showing that true resistance often comes at the cost of political convenience.

Jasmine Crockett

(Courtesy/USA Today) 

Democratic U.S. Jasmine Crockett is one of the most vocal critics of the Trump administration, advocating for transparency and security. On February 4, 2025, she joined a protest outside the U.S. Treasury Department, raising concerns about the Trump-backed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its access to sensitive financial records, including American citizens’ social security numbers. 

Crocket has no fear of standing up for what is right and speaking her mind, no matter the backlash. Crockett is on all mediums, from TV screens to social media, to spread awareness and analyze the Trump administration’s actions, educating individuals about the laws.

“I think bold actions help the cause of resistance because the truth is, it’s never gonna matter how you approach a situation because it will always be wrong,” said Boris Turner, a junior journalism major. “This is why I love people like Jasmine Crockett because she doesn’t care what people say.”

Whether she is protesting in the streets or defending patriotic service members, Crockett continues to fight back against Trump’s policies with unwavering determination.

Cory Booker 

(Courtesy/New York Times ) 

U.S. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J. continues to be a consistent critic of Trump’s policies. On February 6th, 2025, Booker took to the Senate floor to denounce Trump’s chaotic budget freeze and the nomination of Russ Vought.

He also strongly opposed the destruction of the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID), emphasizing the long-term harm cuts could do to America’s national security and global standing. Booker was also a part of a letter alongside 37 other U.S. Senators, calling out the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate critical agencies.

“I think it’s important for leaders like Cory Booker to fight for programs that help other countries,”  Turner said. “The US has abused our military presence to keep other countries on the back end, so these programs that work with the express purpose of helping other people should be held in high regard and fought for.”

As part of his broader resistance, Booker is an outspoken advocate against cuts to Medicaid, highlighting the harmful effects such policies would have on vulnerable communities.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)

(Courtesy/Los Angeles Times)

U.S. Rep. Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is at the forefront of resistance to the Trump administration, using her platform to fight for the marginalized. AOC has led online seminars like “Know Your Rights with ICE,” empowering immigrants with crucial information about their legal rights in the face of ICE enforcement. 

AOC received backlash due to her views on helping people, like when Border Czar Tom Homan wished to launch an investigation because of her seminars. Despite her “breaking the law,” she continued the seminars and spread awareness to many immigrants. 

“AOC holding spaces for people to educate themselves is a smart move,” said Shania McClendon, a junior political science major at Howard University. “Especially since the Republicans occupy the three branches of government, it is important that we have advocates like AOC.”

AOC also joined U.S.Bernie Sanders (IVt.)Sanders on his “Fighting Oligarchy Tour,” which kicked off on March 20th. The tour hit three states—Las Vegas, Colorado and Nevada—where she fueled the crowds and kept the momentum going to resist the Trump administration and MAGA. Along the way, AOC worked to bridge the divide within the Democratic Party, focusing on creating a unified and powerful resistance to bring about change for the American people.

AOC’s joining the tour helped connect and bring more attention to the Democratic Party’s need to have a united front for the greater good and educate the next generation. 

These government officials have shown that resistance can come in the form of protests, but it can also come in the form of pushing against harmful policies and using their platforms to advocate for change. While some fought directly in the halls of Congress, others took their fight to the streets and the campaign trail. Together, they represent a powerful force pushing back against the Trump administration’s controversial decisions.