- 2030 Project
- Posts
- Trump, Extremism, and What We’re Doing About It
Trump, Extremism, and What We’re Doing About It
Fighting Extremism at Every Front: Ballots, Climate, Education
🍑 This Week in Georgia:
The 2030 Project Joins The DPG Rural Council
The 2030 Project was honored to present our game plan for the 2026 cycle to the Georgia Democratic Rural Council — one of the most active, well-organized, and inspiring Democratic groups anywhere in the state.
Our executive director, Andrew Ferguson, shared our plan to flip 11 seats in the Georgia State House by the end of 2030 — the path to a Democratic majority. Andrew highlighted how Republicans have locked in power through gerrymandering while Democrats have averaged only one flipped seat per cycle for the two last decades. To change that math, we’re building campaign infrastructure earlier and smarter — and focusing on digital organizing that tracks volunteer impact, boost grassroots energy, and helps Democrats harness turnout efforts where it matters most – battleground State House districts.
Co-Founder Eric Gisler walked through our analysis of the most flippable State House districts — with three key targets in metro Atlanta and two in Southwest Georgia. Eric highlighted Republican turnout averaged a steady 94% across State House districts – while Democratic turnout varied wildly, with some districts turning out in the 50s, while others reached 90 plus percent. The opportunity to flip seats is there – but only if we match Republican energy and turnout efforts. This means more trained local staff, stronger back-office systems, and breaking silos that keep rural campaigns isolated.
While we shared our vision for flipping key State House districts and building grassroots power across rural Georgia, the contrast with Republican extremism is clear:
Voting Rights: Trump wants to outlaw mail-in ballots, threatening students and rural voters.
Education: Prager University pushes extreme narratives into classrooms.
Environment: Republican policies ignore the urgent climate crisis, from Overshoot Day to local policy inaction.
Ballot Box Is Not Safe — Unless We Protect It
Despite voting’s reputation as a fundamental stakeholder in American democracy, an array of aggravated attacks against various means of casting one’s ballot have emerged since November of 2024. As the Trump Administration — and various members of the GOP — seek to suppress a litany of constituents. The status of several citizens’ ability to contribute to both local and federal elections hangs delicately in the balance; Unfortunately in Georgia, we have swung back to the Conservative side of the political playground, many Peach State voters could face unique means of disenfranchisement at an accelerated rate. With upcoming gubernatorial and Senate races on the horizon, protecting the practice of voting holds vast importance for Georgia citizens.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, nearly 478,000 Georgia residents are at risk for losing their voter registration due to moving out of the state or not participating in recent elections. This mass termination is a result of various factors, such as Georgia’s involvement in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), as well as the state’s “use it or lose it law.” While the voter purge is concerning on its own, the Trump Administration has recently launched their campaign against mail-in ballots; after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 18th, Trump re-lit the fire of his vitriol against mail-in ballots, vowing to sign an Executive Order to — as per his Truth Social account — “help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections.” Although no order has been approved yet, the threat of losing the right to mail-in ballots can disenfranchise thousands of Georgians. From college students to the elderly, focusing on collective methods for safeguarding civic engagement is essential.
Amidst the current chaos surrounding voting rights in Georgia, citizens of all ages must stay vigilant regarding any updates to their voter status. For Georgians who recently moved to a new state for news or college, double-checking one’s eligibility and taking the necessary steps toward protecting their status also remains important. Additionally, by following organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) or The Brennan Center, citizens can feel encouraged knowing that there are people with power fighting against those who want to strip away their rights. At 2030 Project, we understand that voting is a sacred, personal privilege endowed to every citizen of the United States — a privilege that, especially now, must be protected.
Replacing Public Broadcasting with Propaganda
After defunding PBS, NPR, and public broadcasting, the White House is now pushing its preferred alternative– PragerU. This unaccredited institution that seeks to solely promote right-wing values is known to have been severely criticized for climate change denial, being Islamphobic, and dismissing America's racist history. Dennis Prager, the founder of this network, created this “educational” platform simply because he believed the current education system was too liberal and heavily dominated by liberal ideas. Over half a dozen states have partnerships with PragerU, including Louisiana, New Hampshire, Montana, Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma, Idaho, and South Carolina.
To have such an inaccurate and misleading network be the main– or even dominant– basis of education for younger generations will have disastrous consequences. Not only does the organization lack credible research, but its ideological bias and misinformation distort history, promote a skewed version of education, and risk reshaping children’s minds in ways that dismiss and dehumanize the struggles of the very marginalized groups PragerU targets. The network often discourages critical questioning and spreads a very monocultural worldview that alienates people from diverse backgrounds or differing viewpoints.
Education is meant to be something that includes and addresses the history and struggles of everyone, that uplifts while cultivating a future generation that is adequately informed and appreciative of the diversity within America. PragerU cannot be the education we instill within our students.
Running Out of Time: Republicans vs. Reality on Climate Change
Republican policies have consistently downplayed or outright ignored the urgency of the climate crisis, even as the evidence grows impossible to overlook. Every year, Earth Overshoot Day arrives earlier—the point at which humanity uses more natural resources than the planet can regenerate in a year. In 2025, it will once again serve as a stark reminder that the world is living on ecological credit. Instead of recognizing this warning sign, Republican leaders often double down on policies that expand fossil fuel production, roll back environmental regulations, and dismiss the scientific consensus on climate change.
This inaction isn’t just happening at the national level—it’s visible in state and local policy as well. In Republican-led states, investments in renewable energy and public transit frequently stall, while industries with heavy carbon footprints continue to be shielded from accountability. Georgia Republicans have consistently looked the other way, ignoring the fact that our state ranks among the top ten most vulnerable to climate change and among the least prepared to deal with it. Ultimately, local communities bear the cost: more extreme weather, worsening air quality, and higher bills as outdated infrastructure struggles to keep up with rising temperatures.
The gap between scientific urgency and political will is widening. While Democrats and climate advocates push for clean energy transitions and sustainability planning, Republicans continue to obstruct progress, treating climate change as a political wedge rather than a life-or-death challenge. The result is a dangerous status quo that delays necessary action and puts future generations at risk.
Global Footprint Network 2025, www.overshootday.org & www.footprintnetwork.org.
The Takeaway:
Republican extremism threatens our democracy, our classrooms, and our environment. Georgia Republicans remain silent while the Trump administration accelerates the damage. But through the 2030 Project, students and organizers are stepping up to flip the State House, build grassroots power, and fight for a Georgia that works for all of us.
If you believe in this mission, help us grow: forward this newsletter to a friend who cares about Georgia’s future — and if you’re able, chip in today to fuel the fight. Together, we can win the future Georgia deserves.
Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.
Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.
Until next time,
Fund year-round organizing. Flip the GA State Legislature.