100 Days of Trump: The Rise of the Resistance
Published Apr 30, 2025
The first months of the Trump administration have shown the power of people coming together in defense of our food, water, health, and environment.
The first 100 days of the Trump administration have been full of chaos, abuses of power, and corporate giveaways — but also powerful displays of resistance against it. Millions of people have shown up to defend our food, water, health, environment, and democracy.
Together, we’ve stood in solidarity with federal workers who serve our country every day. We’ve refused to let the administration scapegoat our most vulnerable neighbors, including immigrants and trans folks. And we’ve pressured our leaders to stand up against this administration and protect our shared resources and shared future.
Donald Trump, with Elon Musk and his allies, have made their plans crystal clear: move fast and “flood the zone” to hide the extent of their actions. They’re trying to destroy core government functions as a prelude to looting the Treasury and privatizing services. But we aren’t letting them get away with it. We’re exposing the truth behind their plans and bringing the harrowing impacts of their actions to light.
With dedicated people like you, Food & Water Watch is building a strident resistance movement whose power will go beyond this administration. Our supporters, volunteers, and allies are stepping up for their communities.
With our combination of smart strategy and broad-based power, we’re countering Musk and Trump by targeting specific elected officials who can have an outsized impact standing up to the administration. We’ve flooded our targets with calls, emails, letters, and rallies.
From opposing plans to keep toxic lead pipes in the ground to working against cruel cuts to vital food and health programs, here’s how we’ve spent the last 100 days relentlessly fighting to protect all we hold dear.
Acting Fast to Get the Lead Out of Our Water
While Democratic leadership and many in the press reacted to Elon Musk’s unprecedented role and the administration’s actions, Food & Water Watch hit the ground running. We didn’t wait, but organized actions in Congressional districts across the country.
Among the first actions targeting Trump’s regressive agenda were rallies we organized to protect the water of millions of people from toxic lead. Homes and schools across the country get their water through lead pipes. The 2024 Lead Out of Water Rule mandates the replacement of nearly every lead service line in the country, yet some lawmakers are rushing to block it permanently. We sprang into action to protect it.
Across the country, we’ve held dozens of rallies and letter deliveries and met with lawmakers to demand they stand up for the life-saving Lead Out of Water Rule. More than 42,000 Food & Water Watch supporters have sent messages demanding that their representatives do the same.
This fight isn’t over yet, but we have successfully moved at least two Republican members of Congress to publicly oppose reversing the Lead Out of Water Rule.
Our Cross-Country Action Against the Trump Administration
We’ve pivoted from these successes to taking on the Republicans’ outrageous budget plan. This plan would slash water, food, and health funding while preserving the first Trump administration’s massive handouts to corporations and billionaires. Since Inauguration Day, Food & Water Watch supporters have sent almost 23,000 messages to representatives demanding they vote against this plan.
Help us stop this budget plan. Tell your representative to defend food and water from dangerous cuts!
We’re also holding Trump’s cronies accountable as they endanger our health and environment. They’re slashing protections for our communities, while defunding and hollowing out vital agencies that keep us safe. Lee Zeldin, for example, has helped clear the way for corporations to wreak havoc on our communities for profit as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. We’ve directly confronted him in his home district in Long Island.
Besides opposing Trump and Musk’s agenda, we’re also pushing for better, stronger leadership against them. To that end, we’ve rallied to call on Democratic Leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to do everything in their power to block the Musk-Trump agenda. We need more meaningful action from these leaders to rein in the administration’s chaos.
Defending Food, Water, and Health For Our Communities
While we’ve rallied opposition to Trump’s regressive agenda, we’re also advocating for change right in our communities. Right now, families face a cost-of-living crisis — and despite running on lowering costs, Trump’s policies are only making things worse.
We’re seizing opportunities to alleviate that crisis. Our hard-hitting research on egg prices has exposed the real villain behind the $6-dozen: corporate greed. And in New York and Florida, we’re fighting to make electricity cleaner and more affordable.
In several states, including California and New Jersey, we’re fighting for the Climate Superfund Act to force Big Oil and Gas to pay damages for their role in the climate crisis, lifting much of the costs of disaster recovery from taxpayers. And as disasters like drought and wildfire pose even greater threats to our water, communities, and health, Climate Superfund legislation is more important than ever.
Finally, we’re fighting against Big Ag giants that sacrifice our health and environment for profit. In Iowa, where pesticide use has grown alongside cancer rates, we’ve successfully shielded people’s right to sue pesticide companies for health harms linked to their products.
In defeating the state’s Cancer Gag Act, we’ve defended farmers and families’ ability to win justice and accountability against the world’s most powerful agriculture corporations. We’re continuing the fight in Iowa and beyond against Big Ag’s harms to our water, environment, health, and communities.
We’re Ready for the Long-Haul, Beyond Trump
In the first 100 days of this administration, the case for action has never been clearer. But not just because of the gravity of the harms, as heavy as they weigh on us all.
These past weeks have emphasized the impact of coming together and collective action. We are building new connections, strengthening our communities, and exercising our political power against the corporations and politicians that would prefer us silent.
This is how we stop the worst of Trump’s cruel, dangerous agenda and win tangible changes in our communities. It’s how we prevent corporate abuses, lower the cost of living, clean up our air and water, adapt to climate change, and ensure everyone can eat healthy, affordable food. It’s how we create a good life and bright future for everyone, not just the wealthiest.
What lies ahead are not just the next 1360 days of this administration, but the rest of our lives and those of the generations that will follow us. The last 100 days are a testament to the dedication, energy, joy, and vision we need in order to ensure clean water, sustainable food, and a healthy planet now and for years to come. With you, Food & Water Watch will build on this momentum and continue the fight for a livable future for all.
Join our fight. Tell your representative to defend food and water from dangerous budget cuts!
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