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October 28, 2025 Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola (40th District) delivered a speech during the General Assembly's Special Session highlighting harmful policies by the Trump administration which impact the health and livelihood of our neighbors across the Commonwealth. Trump is asking Republican states to redraw lines to ensure that his hurtful and unpopular decisions are not overturned. Virginia's redistricting resolution starts a process for Virginia voters to decide if congressional maps should be redrawn to ensure their voices are heard.  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C8w2mepz5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

This November, Virginians will make a choice about what kind of future we want for our Commonwealth. We can either allow Donald Trump and Jason Miyares to keep steering Virginia backward, or we can elect leaders who will stand up for working families, protect our rights, and defend our democracy. Jason Miyares is ineffective and dangerous. He has refused to challenge Trump’s cuts to SNAP that would strip food assistance from hundreds of thousands of Virginians. He stood silent as veterans and federal workers lost pay during Trump’s shutdown. He’s used his office to issue partisan opinions aimed at blocking fair redistricting and keeping political power in the hands of Trump’s allies. Virginians deserve an Attorney General who represents us, not a rubber stamp for Trump.  Jay Jones offers a different path. He’s the only candidate in the AG race who will stand up for all Virginians. He’ll defend reproductive rights, protect our farmers, protect consumers, and work alongside Governor Abigail Spanberger to make life more affordable for working families.  Arlington Democrats are proud to stand alongside and support Jay Jones for Attorney General and urge each and every Virginia voter to do the same.

The right to live under a fair and unbiased legal system, one that is governed by law and fact, is a core constitutional right. The Trump-infected Justice Department has now obtained indictments of two people Trump considers his enemies. These prosecutions, far from being legitimate law enforcement efforts, are part of the President’s personal vendetta against anyone who has ever tried to hold him accountable for his actions. More such indictments are expected, as the list of people Trump wants prosecuted is long and growing. These prosecutions constitute a frontal assault on one of our most important freedoms.   The two people indicted thus far, James Comey and Letitia James, are often described as enemies of the President. But that is inaccurate: both were law enforcement officials who simply did their jobs. Comey, as head of the FBI, investigated Trump to determine the truth behind significant evidence that the Trump campaign worked with Russia to defeat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. James, as the Attorney General of New York, successfully  convicted Trump of 34 felonies  related to the falsification of business records that inflated his net worth and enabled him to get lower interest rates on loans over a period of years. James is sometimes criticized for intemperate remarks she made about Trump, but her actions as a prosecutor were appropriate. Both Comey and James, because of their positions, had responsibility for pursuing evidence of illegal conduct, and both undertook that work with professionalism. While the extent of the evidence against Comey will not be known until trial, the case appears to be based on what one commentator called “ compound untruths .” The  indictment  is unusually terse, less than a page and a half in length, and vague. Comey is accused of testifying falsely to a Senate committee when he denied authorizing the leak of information about an investigation to the press.  The indictment does not make clear  to whom Comey is supposed to have given approval to leak or even which investigation the alleged leak concerned. The Comey indictment was presented to the grand jury by a single government attorney, Lindsey Halligan, who had been appointed by Trump just a few days earlier to be the lead federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia, which includes Arlington. Halligan presented the case to the grand jury by herself apparently because no career attorney in the Eastern District office was willing to support it. In a highly unusual development, the grand jury declined to bring one of the three counts she sought; Comey’s  indictment  as brought contains only two counts. Another flaw in the case is a  serious question  about the validity of the process by which Halligan was appointed. Because hers is the only government signature on the indictment, if she lacked authority to sign it, the indictment likely will be thrown out. It probably cannot be superseded by another prosecutor or after a corrected appointment process for Halligan because the  statute of limitations has now expired  on the testimony involved. The case against James appears to be even weaker than the one against Comey, although again the extent of the government’s evidence will not be known until trial. James is accused of  lying on mortgage application forms  about her intent to live in the house being mortgaged rather than rent it out, with the purpose of securing a lower interest rate on her loan. The forms she completed, however, prohibited her from entering into certain kinds of timesharing or other agreements governing the property,  not from all forms of short-term rentals . Documents publicly available seem to show that she did, in fact, at one point enter into a short-term rental worth  a total of $1,000-$5,000 in income ,   income she declared  on her tax filings. The indictment does not allege that she entered into any type of prohibited agreement.   As with the Comey indictment, Halligan’s signature is the only government signature on the indictment. Presumably this is because, as with the Comey indictment, career prosecutors in her office were unwilling to publicly support the case by signing their names. Trump had demanded  that these cases be brought. Indeed, he sent a message to the Attorney General in the form of a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying “ We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!! ”. Trump may have  intended to send the message privately , as a DM, but posted it publicly by mistake. Comey’s attorney has told the trial court that he will file pretrial motions to dismiss the indictment as an abuse of prosecutorial power because the case is “ vindictive, . . . selective [and] retaliatory. ” He will also move to dismiss the indictment on the grounds that Halligan’s  appointment was invalid . Some commentators, including the newly MAGA-adjacent Washington Post , contend that these indictments, while improper in some ways, are  simply payback for improper actions , especially by James, targeting Trump. But the charges James brought resulted in 34 felony convictions. A jury found that they were founded on actual criminal behavior, and an appellate court upheld that finding. To claim that the respective sets of charges are equivalent is absurd. Even if Comey and James ultimately prevail in their cases, they will have been forced to expend thousands of dollars and thousands of hours in their defense. The mere fact of bringing the indictments is a severe abuse of power. Like the ICE raids and military troops on the streets of our cities, these indictments are a direct assault on our fundamental constitutional liberties. What can you do? Stay informed and raise your voice at every opportunity.

One of the most cherished of American freedoms is the right to live under a criminal justice system in which cases are brought and decided based on evidence and law, not on political interest. The Eastern District of Virginia, where Arlington is located, has historically been one of the leading practitioners within the Justice Department of this type of American justice. It has enjoyed a sterling reputation, successfully handling important cases involving military and national security issues. Over the past two months, Trump has installed his puppets at its helm and turned it into a shadow of its former self. The office as newly configured has initiated weak, clearly vindictive prosecutions of people he considers enemies. Indications are that similar prosecutions will follow as Trump installs personnel who are loyal to him personally rather than to the rule of law in prosecutors’ offices around the country.   The Eastern District is led by a U.S. Attorney, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. This official serves as the federal government’s  chief law enforcement officer in the District . At the beginning of September, the Eastern District was headed by a well-regarded, experienced career prosecutor,  Erik Siebert , who  enjoyed bipartisan support . He was serving in an acting capacity but had been  endorsed by both of Virginia’s Democratic Senators  and   formally nominated  for the permanent position by President Trump. His confirmation was  moving smoothly  through the Senate. In mid-September, the press reported that members of the Trump administration were  pressuring  Siebert to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud. The reports said that career investigators and prosecutors in the district had concluded there was  insufficient evidence   to indict  her. But Trump wanted James indicted nevertheless. Among other things, she had brought a civil fraud suit against him that resulted in a $355 million judgment –  since overturned  – and findings by the trial judge –  since upheld  – that Trump’s credibility was “ severely compromised ” and that his actions “ shock[ed] the conscience .” Attorney General Pam Bondi  reportedly defended  Siebert, but Trump told reporters that  [i]t looks to me like [James is] really guilty of something, but I really don't know ” and that “ I want [Siebert] out. ” Siebert is now gone. Trump says  he fired Siebert  and Siebert says  he resigned . The new, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia is  Lindsey Halligan . She previously served as one of Trump’s personal attorneys in the  classified documents case  and had recently been working at the White House to “ remove improper ideology ” from Smithsonian museums, a project  she reportedly initiated . Her other reported previous legal work was  defending insurance companies from property-damage claims  by their policyholders.  U.S. Attorney Siebert also reportedly  resisted pressure from Trump to indict  former F.B.I. Director James Comey. Trump allies have alleged Comey committed perjury in testimony before Congress about whether he had advance knowledge of or authorized a leak to the press of information about an ongoing FBI investigation. One of Halligan’s first actions as U.S. Attorney was to obtain Comey's indictment  on two charges , making false statements  and obstruction of Congress . Comey denies  any misconduct.  Under Halligan’s leadership, James has now been indicted  as well. The charges  are relatively minor and of a type rarely brought. Only a small amount of money was allegedly involved. One commentator wrote , “ the question raised by the indictment of James is: would any other federal prosecutor have brought this case against any other defendant? The indictment is, like the Comey charges, notably lacking in detail—but the answer seems to be a resounding no.” As with the Comey indictment, the evidentiary support for James’ indictment appears vanishingly weak. James denies  any wrongdoing.  The New York Times reports that a senior Justice Department official has instructed “ more than half a dozen ” U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country to  begin investigations of a group funded  by  George Soros , a wealthy donor to the Democratic Party and progressive causes generally. In other contexts, the President has  demanded that Soros be put in jail . Trump has also demanded  that Sen. Adam Schiff be indicted. It is unclear just how long the list is of Trump’s potential targets.  The Justice Department, although not without weaknesses, had long been one of the most respected and capable agencies in the federal government. Clearly, however, it is no longer an instrument of law and order. Like much of the rest of the federal government, Trump has reduced and distorted into a political weapon that he can use indiscriminately against his perceived enemies. In the first eight months of his second term, Trump has done immeasurable and perhaps irreversible damage to many important government institutions. His assault on the Justice Department is one of his most dangerous moves.

Whereas in the 35 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was adopted, significant progress has been made in enabling people with disabilities to live full and unrestricted lives; and Whereas the law promotes full participation in American life by people with disabilities, including those with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health disabilities, by banning unnecessary segregation and requiring state and local governments to provide services in homes and communities; and Whereas the ADA also advances accessibility for individuals who may have difficulty navigating physical, social, or work environments without reasonable accommodations; and Whereas the statute has transformed access to public spaces and transportation; and Whereas accommodations such as curbside ramps and accessible parking spaces have made public environments significantly more usable for people with mobility disabilities, allowing for greater independence and activity; and Whereas the statute has also transformed opportunities for people with sensory disabilities to engage fully in public life; and Whereas services such as sign-language interpreters, closed captioning on television, screen readers, and speech-to-text technology have enabled people with disabilities to interact with the world around them in real time—empowering participation in civic, professional, and social spheres; and Whereas the statute has also improved the availability and quality of education for students with disabilities, with the U.S. Department of Education providing guidance, oversight, and over 10% of the funding for these programs nationwide; and Whereas despite this progress, significant challenges remain and the gains of the past three decades are at risk due to severe cuts to essential programs such as Medicaid and housing assistance, as well as the rollback of civil rights enforcement, public education protections, and DEIA initiatives that safeguard disabled members of our Arlington community; now, therefore, be it Resolved , that the Arlington County Democratic Committee celebrates the progress achieved under the Americans with Disabilities Act in improving the lives of people with disabilities; and Resolved further , that the Arlington County Democratic Committee urges decision makers in all sectors, and at all levels, to preserve the gains that have been made for people with disabilities and to work diligently to address the difficulties that remain. Adopted this 6th day of August, 2025.

The following letter to the editor was submitted to InsideNOVA.com by Steve Baker, Chair of the Arlington Democrats. This Saturday, a military parade will roll through Arlington and Washington, D.C.—6,600 troops, 150 armored vehicles, and a projected $45 million price tag. Though we honor all of our men and women in uniform and our flag’s rich history, President Trump has turned the parade into a self-indulged, over-the-top, taxpayer-funded spectacle. That’s not patriotism—it’s political theater. At a time when many families are feeling the squeeze—from grocery prices to everyday expenses—the president is spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to flatter his own ego. His tariffs are taxes on consumers, and federal layoffs have hit our community hard. Virginia is projected to lose 32,000 jobs this year, with especially deep impacts in counties like Arlington that rely on federal employment and government contracts.  Instead of offering relief, the administration’s extravagant birthday display will shut down flights at Reagan National and damage our city streets. Combined with a budget proposal that adds record debt and deepens inequality, this president is building a legacy as one of the most reckless and self-serving leaders in modern American history. We believe in a different show of strength—one rooted in service, community, and the essential work of democracy. While tanks roll through D.C., some of us will be knocking on doors, others will be raising our voices in protest. So this Flag Day, as we honor our service members, we invite our neighbors across the region to reject the president’s narcissism and excess—and work to elect leaders like Abigail Spanberger, who reflect our community values: service, compassion, and progress. Real power isn’t bought—it’s earned. It’s earned in how we show up for one another, how we vote, and how we stay engaged even when the cameras are gone. In Arlington, we’ll keep showing up and doing the fundamental work of democracy, together.

In light of the upcoming June 14th military parade—an event that directly impacts our community—we’ve created this guide to offer Arlingtonians a range of ways to engage, resist, and show up. We recognize that not everyone has the comfort, capacity, or privilege to participate in direct protest—and that resistance can take many powerful forms. Whether you choose to raise your voice in the streets, register voters at a farmers market, or write a letter to the editor, your engagement matters. This resource guide is meant to support our community in standing up to authoritarianism and promoting democratic values, safely and effectively. 🛡️ Protesting Safely If you plan to participate in demonstrations at the parade, please keep in mind the following safety and advisory tips: ACLU, Protestors’ Rights : Practical advice on your First Amendment rights, interacting with law enforcement, and what to do if you’re detained or witness police misconduct. National Lawyers Guild (NLG) Know Your Rights Guide : A comprehensive guide covering police encounters, legal observers, what to bring (and not bring), and what to expect if arrested. A   Spanish-language version   is also available. Additional Tips: Go with a buddy and set a check-in plan.  When creating a check-in plan, be mindful that you may lose cell service in large crowds, as often happens in DC during a protest or other large events. Bring ID, water, snacks, medication, a mask, and a portable charger. Write important phone numbers (like legal support) on your skin where it won’t rub off. Avoid wearing anything that could be seen as confrontational or that identifies your home, workplace, or name.  Turn off Face ID on your phone so law enforcement can’t use it to search your device. Know your personal limits and risks so you can make quick decisions should a protest or situation escalate beyond your control Please be aware of the surveillance and dangers that could be present at any protest action. Try to be aware of which law enforcement agency(ies) have jurisdiction over any areas where are physically present.   Many law enforcement agencies have jurisdiction in DC, and they have varying ranges of power and authority over protests, permitting, and authorized use of force. Even if you are protesting peacefully, there is always the risk of being targeted by law enforcement if you choose to protest. It is increasingly easy to be identified by surveillance technology, and it is not a given that due process will take place in good faith. There is also the risk of provocation meant to escalate the stakes of a protest, which could draw in violence from outside parties or bring law enforcement attention to an otherwise peaceful protest. It could look like vigilantes trying to start physical fights in a peaceful protest or counterprotestors screaming at and personally insulting you so they can catch your reaction on video. It is a good idea to be aware of your surroundings, triggers, and actions at all times. ✊ Alternative Events & Peaceful Actions If direct protest isn’t your thing, there are several alternative events on the 14th where you can still make a statement:  We of Action – Hands Across Arlington County :  Join a peaceful, symbolic "human chain of conscience" from Arlington to Falls Church. Knock Doors for Gubernatorial Candidate Abigail Spanberger :  Support the Democratic ticket by canvassing locally in Arlington. Voter Registration at Met Park Farmers Market :  Help register new voters in Pentagon City. No Kings! WofA Visibility Brigade :  Join the visibility brigade holding signs and banners on Arlington overpasses. ✍️ Other Ways to Engage Don’t underestimate the power of civic engagement and local involvement: Write a Letter to the Editor Use your voice to reach a broader audience and make your concerns heard. Tips and advice on writing a letter Email ArlNow - news@arlnow.com   Washington Post LTE Submission Form Volunteer Locally Support your community and promote shared values through direct service. Volunteer Arlington Arlington County Parks & Rec Animal Welfare League of Arlington Arlington Public Schools Arlington Free Clinic Arlington Food Assistance Center Doorways

Currently moving through Congress is the Republican budget bill for next year, what Trump calls his “ big, beautiful bill .” The legislation is truly monstrous and covers many things, including a provision making it nearly impossible  for courts to enforce contempt penalties against parties who violate their orders. But its most direct effect on millions of Americans will be the severe cuts it makes in Medicaid over the coming years.  Republicans have gone to great lengths to conceal the harm their bill would inflict. They have scheduled some procedural votes for late in the night , when fewer reporters are around. They call their cuts by any word other than what they actually are – preferring to talk about “ protections ” that would “ strengthen ” Medicaid, and eliminating “ waste, fraud, and abuse .” Speaker Johnson has even claimed there is a “ moral component ” to the bill, because it creates a work requirement. Trump has  emphasized his opposition  to even deeper cuts to Medicaid, while glossing over the draconian nature of the cuts he supports. He has also said he opposes any cuts to Medicare , but the current version of his bill would trigger cuts to that program of $500 billion .   Medicaid provides affordable health coverage to the poor , including children and the elderly, and to some people with disabilities. It also covers eligible higher-income people needing long-term care whose assets have been depleted  by medical costs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the legislation could result in the loss of Medicaid coverage for some 7.6 million Americans . This is almost   one in ten  of those currently covered. Other Americans, while remaining on the rolls, could see the extent of their coverage shrink. The cuts would slash prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. Currently, Medicaid covers 40% of births  in the United States, fostering the health of millions of babies and their mothers.  The cuts would also be harsh for those receiving long-term care. In recent years, over 70% of Americans receiving such care  were covered by Medicaid, which covers about 60% of the costs of nursing home care  in the United States.  Medicaid, like Medicare , Obamacare , and Social Security , is a program designed by Democrats, enacted by Democratic majorities in Congress, and signed into law by a Democratic President. It was established in 1965 as part of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society program  and expanded in 2010 as part of Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act , or Obamacare. Over the years, it has provided millions of Americans with a longer, healthier life. Republicans have repeatedly sought to reduce its scope, while Democrats have consistently sought to broaden its coverage . The current legislation is by far the Republicans’ most destructive assault on the program.  The budget bill’s requirement that Medicaid recipients of working age get a job in order to qualify for coverage has failed to achieve its ostensible goal when adopted by states in the past. In these cases, thousands of Medicaid recipients who were in fact working were kicked off  their benefits because of problems in getting the necessary paperwork produced and filed with the authorities. Employment rates did not increase, moreover, because over 90%  of Medicaid recipients who are of working age are already working, are disabled or attending school, or are full time caregivers.  The purpose of these Medicaid cuts is clear from the other provisions in the budget bill: to fund huge tax cuts for wealthy individuals and large corporations. One commentator has called it the “ largest upward transfer of wealth in American history .” Thus the budget does indeed have a moral component, but one that cuts sharply against rather than for its passage.  What can you do? Don’t be quiet. Contact any Republican official whose constituent you are and express your opposition to these cruel Medicaid cuts. Send letters or comments to the editor of any media you regularly read, listen to, or watch. Spread the word among your friends. Plan to spend time this fall helping elect Democrats to office in Virginia and spend time next year electing Democrats to Congress.

Arlington Democrats are deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly, a tireless public servant for over 30 years whose influence extended far beyond the boundaries of Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. His leadership elevated Northern Virginia’s voice on the national stage and helped build vital partnerships across the region. His powerful voice on behalf of our federal employees, foreign aid, and democratic values will be deeply missed—especially at a time when our institutions remain under threat. As a key member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, and most recently as its Ranking Member, Congressman Connolly was a powerful defender of democratic institutions, transparency, and accountability. He played a critical role in challenging abuses of power during both the previous and current Trump administrations, standing firm in his commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. Arlington Democrats had the privilege of working closely with Congressman Connolly and the 11th District in the shared mission of electing Democrats and delivering for Northern Virginia. His leadership on Metro, regional road infrastructure, environmental protection, and economic opportunity deeply benefitted our communities and exemplified the kind of cross-district collaboration that strengthened our entire region. Congressman Connolly’s legacy is one of principled leadership, deep integrity, and unwavering commitment to the people of Virginia. He will be profoundly missed.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Saturday, May 10, 2024 CONTACT: communications@arlingtondemocrats.org Arlington Democrats Endorse Monique Bryant for Arlington County School Board Monique Bryant Wins Arlington Democrats’ School Board Endorsement Vote, Moves on to November General Election Ballot ARLINGTON, VA  – Today, the Arlington Democrats announced that they are officially endorsing Monique Bryant  for the Arlington County School Board. From April 19 through May 10, Arlington Democrats held online voting and two in-person voting opportunities to endorse a candidate to fill the upcoming vacancy on the School Board. Any registered Arlington voter was able to participate in the committee’s endorsement vote after signing a pledge form. Monique Bryant won the Democratic School Board Endorsement vote with 68.88% of the overall vote. She received 1288 votes. June Prakash received 582 votes.  “Thank you to the Arlingtonians who voted for me and supported our campaign in the Arlington Democrats’ School Board endorsement race. I appreciate hearing your perspectives on our school system and I pledge to carry those concerns forward as we approach the November election,” said Moe Bryant . “I’m excited to share our progressive values on education and vision to make APS an excellent system that incorporates empathy and values engagement in its decision making.”                       “Arlington Democrats are thrilled to announce our endorsement of Moe Bryant for the School Board,” said Arlington Democrats Chair Steve Baker.  “We’ll be working hard through November 4th to organize, mobilize, and turn out voters to elect all of our Democratic candidates up and down the ballot. Democrats will continue to stand up against Winsome Earle-Sears’s divisive rhetoric and Donald Trump’s continued attacks on our public schools. As a party, we will always fight to ensure our students have a quality public education free from political interference—that starts at the local level.” To learn more about the platforms of each of the endorsed candidates, please visit Monique “Moe” Bryant’s website at https://www.moeforschoolboard.com / . ###

At our annual Blue Victory Dinner, Arlington Democrats announced its volunteer award winners for 2025! Congratulations to all our awardees! Newcomer of the Year - Jen Piatt Herselle Milliken Precinct Captain of the Year - Evan Lineberger Unsung Hero - Jesse Aronson Campaigner of the Year - Rossanna Mines Young Democrat of the Year - Austin Locke Jean Marshall Crawford Women's Leadership Award - Rachel Halpern Mary Marshall Outstanding Democrat of the Year - Jane Bergen Erik Gutshall Community Leader Award - Tannia Talento

During the campaign, Trump said he would bring grocery prices down on “ Day One .” Many voters, especially those whose finances were strained by a rise in food prices, took him at his word and elected him to a second term. However, after the election, Trump backtracked, admitting that bringing down grocery prices would be “ hard .” His Secretary of Agriculture later said that Americans who were worried about egg prices should raise chickens  in their backyards.  Since taking office, Trump has made little effort to bring prices down. Instead much of his energy has gone into to culture-war issues like the demonization  of trans people, taking over  the Kennedy Center, and renaming  things. He has even found time to prohibit  government entities from buying paper straws.  Trump has authorized Elon Musk to lead efforts to dismantle the federal government. This has included crippling or abolishing programs that are monitoring and control of infectious diseases here  and abroad , eliminating weather surveillance and analysis programs that forecast  dangerous weather events, and ending food safety  programs. Neither the culture wars nor an assault on life-saving services was high among the goals of the voters who elected Trump. None of this lowers the cost of food.  In fact, curtailing essential services like weather prediction has cascading consequences throughout the economy. Farmers rely on accurate forecasts to plan crop yields and make informed planting decisions; without that data, uncertainty grows and agricultural productivity suffers. Airlines depend on precise weather models to chart safe and efficient flight paths, and disruptions can increase fuel costs, delay operations, and compromise passenger safety. Emergency managers require early warnings to coordinate evacuations and disaster response—without them, lives and property are put at greater risk..  The dismantling of government food safety programs adds costs for producers. Without federally funded inspections and oversight, food companies must absorb the expense of private testing, compliance systems, and liability risk, all of which contribute to rising prices. Trump's proposed cuts will put upward pressure on grocery bills at a time when American families are already feeling the squeeze. Beyond the economic impact, scaling back food safety increases the risk of contamination outbreaks, undermining public health and consumer confidence. In short, Trump’s cuts will put upward pressure  on grocery prices and put American families at greater risk. Trump’s tariffs are also driving prices up across the board. Beef and pork prices rose significantly  in February. Tariffs now in place are projected to increase fresh produce prices  by about 3% and food prices overall  by 2% this year. And Trump’s recent “Liberation Day” tariffs promise to substantially hike prices even higher.  Trump says tariffs will force manufacturers to make their goods here at home, but his tariffs don’t only apply to manufactured goods. For example, bananas from many exporting nations would be covered by the higher tariffs Trump has proposed. The U.S. imports most of the bananas it consumes because bananas don’t grow well  in many parts of the continental U.S. No tariff can change that. Trump has admitted his tariffs may cause “ some pain .”  Trump’s erratic performance on tariffs – on, off, then on again, and in ever-changing amounts – along with higher-than-expected inflation  since the inauguration have undermined both business and consumer confidence. The stock market just suffered its worst quarter in several years , and created an enormous market selloff in the days following his announced tariff plan. Many businesses now expect a recession  in 2025. Consumer economic confidence has fallen 30% since November . It is now at a 12-year low .      Trump’s failure to address inflation contrasts sharply with President Biden’s record. Biden took decisive action to unsnarl  supply chains, pushed Congress to enact major stimulus and infrastructure legislation, and worked to stabilize  gas prices Under his leadership unemployment fell to 4% --the lowest in years–and real wages rose , reaching their  highest level  in two decades. The stock market posted gains for five quarters of his administration and while food prices never reverting to their pre-pandemic levels, their rate of increase slowed  significantly. Said a Moody’s analyst, “ the top-line performance of the economy arguably couldn’t be better coming into the year .”  Now inflation is rising again. It is widely expected to get worse. Trump is not even trying very hard to address it.