The Navigator, Saturday, April 19, 2025
Four generations under one roof, visualizing global migration, Trump undermining his goals, Zuckerberg on trial, what comes after DEI—and more
Many of you have reached out to us over the past few weeks and months with a simple question: Why isn’t Congress doing more to push back against the Trump administration and its consolidation of power, and, dare we say, usurpation of its authority?
First, take some solace in the fact that we’re only three months into Donald Trump’s second term. While the culture of Congress and Washington, even in the best (and worst) of times, moves at a snail’s pace, it does move. And while Trump is bulldozing his way through norms at lightning speed with his shock-and-awe strategy, the system is still working, albeit strained.
Second, like it or not, it’s important to remember that the Republican Party controls both houses of Congress. It was elected—fairly—by a majority of voters to do so. It is not a historic norm for Party members to buck their president, the de facto leader of their party. However, Trump is not a normal president, and there are signs that fissures are starting to form in the Republican coalition, including with lawmakers like Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
Lastly, it’s imperative to grasp that true, albeit cynical, view that Congressional members’ primary goal is reelection; they serve at the pleasure of their constituents. Without the support of the general electorate, they are doomed. The full House of Representatives and a third of the Senate will kick off their 2026 campaigns in earnest in the coming months, and dozens of new candidates are expected to jump into the ring on both sides of the aisle.
So, as millions of Americans continue to speak out, organize, volunteer, take to the streets, attend town halls, make calls, and write letters, members of Congress will (eventually) get the message. Many have already gotten an earful.
It might not feel like it at times, but historically, these tactics have worked very well, and they still can today. We, the people, decide the trajectory of this country and whether democracy lives or dies.
As always, thank you for including us in your week. Let us know your thoughts on this week’s events and your input on the new rules emerging for tomorrow.
4 generations, 1 roof: How 1 extended family is part of a growing movement (ABC News)
An estimated 18% of Americans live in a multigenerational home.
To Understand Global Migration, You Have to See It First (The New York Times)
New estimates based on location data from Meta reveal a picture of humanity in motion.
The Monastery Where Founders Meditate on Code and Profit (Bloomberg-Businessweek)
HF0, a live-in program for startup founders in San Francisco, mixes New Agey spirituality with Silicon Valley-esque hypercapitalism.
Zuckerberg on trial: why Meta deserves to win (The Economist)
Social media has plenty of problems. Lack of competition isn’t one of them.
More women view climate change as their number one political issue (The 19th)
A new report shows a growing gender gap among people who vote with environmental issues in mind.
Trump’s Tade Policies Keep Undercutting His Own Goals (Foreign Policy magazine)
Trump’s tariffs are set to make reshoring harder and trade deficits bigger.
How Elissa Slotkin, a Moderate Michigan Democrat, Is Fighting Trump Tooth and Nail (Vanity Fair)
Vanity Fair shadows the ex-CIA analyst during her first tumultuous months in the U.S. Senate.
Former presidents of Columbia, Harvard urge their successors to fight the Trump administration (POLITICO)
The nascent pushback, showcased by Harvard’s decision to reject several proposals from Trump this week, is a notable turnaround from a year ago.
What Comes After D.E.I.? (The New Yorker)
Colleges around the country, in the face of legal and political backlash to their diversity programs, are pivoting to an alternative framework known as pluralism.