WSDCC – June 13, 2025

Posted on June 13, 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!

As the Trump regime sends troops to California and appears to be gearing up for similar attacks on other blue states, we must be more vigilant than ever as we stand in solidarity with our allies and protest and resist these attacks. We have tips for safely protesting this weekend below.

Protesting Effectively and Safely

The MAGA regime has unleashed National Guard troops and the military on families in California to propel their agenda of abducting and intimidating immigrants—including, as we’ve repeatedly seen, people who have every right to be here. Washington is likely next. This weekend, we need everyone to make their voices heard at rallies across the state to stop the Trump regime from turning our government into a weapon against our people. They are spreading lies about immigrants to justify their power grab and unleash the military against us.

These provocations are meant to “justify” federalizing the Washington National Guard and stripping our state of its sovereignty. Trump wants violence so he can send in troops. Please use the following resources to be safe, cautious, and mindful as you exercise your First Amendment rights.

ACLU Protest Rights and Safety Center

Human Rights Campaign Tips for Preparedness, Peaceful Protesting, and Safety

WIRED: How to Protest Safely: What to Bring, What to Do, and What to Avoid

Working for Washington
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the wildfires outside Cle Elum this week. I want to express our deepest gratitude for the first responders at Kittitas County Fire District and the Washington Department of Natural Resources who have been battling the blaze since it was first sparked. 

This week started with a rally outside Seattle City Hall to demand the immediate release of California SEIU President David Huerta and all illegal ICE detainees. Hundreds of people came out to demonstrate their solidarity with our labor siblings and to defend our constitutional rights. Several Democratic elected officials were on hand and I thank everyone who came out to resist the illegal crackdown and military deployment in California from the Trump administration. You can read my full statement here.

Democrats Fighting Back
Governor Bob Ferguson joined every other Democratic Governor in the nation to condemn Trump’s deployment of the National Guard over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. 

Protests against immigration raids spring up in cities across U.S., CBS News

Rep. Pramila Jayapal joined demonstrators in the other Washington to protest the raids and rally for the release of California SEIU President David Huerta as Washingtonians protested outside the federal building in Seattle. 

Ferguson prepares for possibility of Trump deploying troops in Washington, Washington State Standard

Our Governor isn’t leaving things to chance. He is already coordinating with our state’s top military official to coordinate a response should Trump decide to deploy military troops to Washington state. As Trump escalates violence for political gain, Washington’s leaders are working to deliver a response that follows the law and protects our communities. 

Gov. Ferguson, WA leaders slam Trump’s new travel bans, call them ‘hate repackaged,’ The Olympian 

In Trump’s first term, then-Attorney General Bob Ferguson was the first to sue the Trump administration over the “Muslim Travel Ban.”. Now, as our Governor, he is working with Attorney General Nick Brown and other Washington Democrats to challenge Trump’s new travel ban. 

PNW leaders warn that federal cuts could hurt salmon recover, The Columbian

Governor Ferguson also joined Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and four Native nations to call for continued funding of a crucial effort at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to recover Columbia River salmon. Cuts proposed by the Trump administration would be devastating for local wildlife and the many people who rely on them as a cultural resource and for jobs in the fishing and culinary industries. 

As Washington Democratic lawmakers slam ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ NW Republicans back it while acknowledging imperfections, The Spokesman-Review

Republicans like Representatives Dan Newhouse and Michael Baumgartner know the bill they voted for will kick families off Medicaid and deny them food assistance, they just don’t care. Washington’s Democratic Congressional Delegation is doing everything possible to stop this legislation in its tracks before it can close hospitals and hollow out low- and middle-income communities across the country. 

Rep. Adam Smith, House Armed Services Committee member, discusses LA troop deployment, NPR

Representative Adam Smith was on NPR to explain why Trump’s authoritarian crackdown in Los Angeles is unconstitutional, hypocritical given his actions on January 6, and how it threatens the rule of law in our nation.

Call to Action

  • Rally, Protest, and Gather
    • TOMORROW – NO KINGS Mass Protest, multiple locations statewide. Find them all here. 
    • June 13 – 18 – Phonebanking Alaska constituents on reconciliation with Planned Parenthood, 4:30PM-6:30PM. Sign up here.
    • Wednesday, June 24 – Northwest Immigrants Rights Project Update Webinar and Know Your Rights Presentation / Webinar sobre Actualizaciones Migratorias por parte de NWIRP a las 5 PM el 24 de junio. Webinar will be in English from 5PM-5:45PM and Español 5:45PM-6:30PM. Click here to register/Haz click aqui para registrarte en nuestro webinar.
    • Every Friday – Refuse Fascism Fridays in Everett at the Social Security Administration Office from 5PM-6:30PM. Sign up here.
    • Every Monday – Mikey Mondays in Spokane outside the office of U.S. Representative Michael Baumgartner. Sign up here.
    • Every Tuesday – Tesla Tuesday in Liberty Lake from 4:30PM-5:30PM. Sign up here.
    • Every Wednesday – Musk or Us Protest in Redmond from 4PM-5PM. Sign up here.
  • Donate
    • If you would like to see less Washington D.C. and more Washington state in your community, please DONATE to The Real Washington Fund – our rapid response account to counter MAGA’s chaos with real organizing, real solutions, and real results. We can’t do the work of holding Republicans accountable without your support.

WA Dems 2025 Pride Celebration

Washington Democrats and Stonewall Democrats are co-hosting a 2025 Pride Celebration on our rooftop deck the Friday before Seattle Pride Weekend. Hear from members of the LGBTQIA+ caucus like Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen and Senators Claire Wilson and Marko Liias as well as Attorney General Nick Brown! More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. We hope to see you there! RSVP Here.

Spokane People’s Town Hall with Rep. Jayapal on June 30

Residents of the 5th Congressional District are invited to join us in Spokane on June 30 at Spokane Community College for a People’s Town Hall with Rep. Pramila Jayapal. We want to hear from you and listen to your stories about how Trump’s extreme agenda has impacted you and your communities. Please join us at The Spokane Community College Lair on Monday, June 30th from 5:30 – 7 PM. Please RSVP HERE to have a guaranteed seat in the auditorium!

Young Democrats of Washington Convention

Join Young Democrats from every corner of Washington as they come together on June 20-21 in Seattle for the Young Democrats of Washington Convention. The event is open to all Democrats 35 years and younger. If you can’t make it, but would still like to help, please consider sponsoring a young delegate’s tickets and travel.

Event Details:

Reception: Friday, June 20 at 6:00 PM
Location: Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA

Convention: Saturday, June 21 – All Day
Location: Seattle Public Library – Central Branch
Workshops, speakers, community-building, and our statewide general session

Tickets are just $25 and available here: Click Here!

Republicans Behaving Badly

RFK Jr. fires the entire CDC vaccine recommendation panel,
NOTUS
RFK Jr.’s sweeping changes at the CDC vaccine recommendation panel are going to make Americans more sick, limit access to lifesaving vaccines, and make medicine more expensive and less effective – all so he can install his hand-picked vaccine skeptics. Physicians routinely look to this panel for the most up-to-date science and best practices when it comes to vaccinations in America. Make no mistake, people will die from measles and other preventable illnesses because of this administration’s contempt for basic science and healthcare.

Requiring proof of citizenship to vote would disenfranchise Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh’s own voters,
The Cascadia Advocate
Washington is a leader in voter participation, yet WAGOP Chair Jim Walsh is launching yet another assault on our democracy with an initiative that would require Real ID to register to vote. He has also declared that this is just step one in WAGOP’s efforts to end vote by mail in our state. The Cascadia Advocate does a deep dive on this issue and also shows how this would impact more of Walsh’s own voters if enacted, making it a self-defeating measure. Millions of people would be disqualified from voting. Washington has the best elections systems in the country, we should protect it at all costs.

Democrats in the News

Ferguson names new WA top health official,
The Seattle Times

Glusenkamp Perez’s bipartisan bill to help moms access substance use disorder treatment passes House,
The Chronicle

Washington GOP proposes initiative to require proof of citizenship to vote,
The Olympian

WA joins lawsuit over Trump administration’s plan to redistribute ‘mass-shooting devices,’
The Olympian

Seattle’s democracy vouchers are working. Here’s the proof, 
Washington State Standard

WA Supreme Court issues rule to reduce public defense caseloads, 
CascadePBS

What I’m Reading

The Democrats’ Daily Blueprint, DNC
This week, the DNC launched a daily livestream that will air each weekday morning. These go live at 6:30AM our time, but they are also all saved to the DNC’s Youtube channel. If you’re looking for messaging for the day and the latest updates on how we are fighting against Trump’s tyranny, please tune in!

Thanks for all you do,

Chair Shasti Conrad
Washington State Democratic Party

In 2024, Washington Democrats led the nation with sweeping electoral victories. Now, we’re fighting to elect a supermajority in Olympia, protect our swing seats in the House, and stand up to MAGA extremism across the country.

WA Dems empowers grassroots organizing and elects Democrats up and down the ballot. Your support fuels our fight to stop Trump and defend our democracy.

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We sincerely thank you for your help and support.

Washington State Democrats
PO Box 4027
Seattle, WA 98194
United States