Union Field Report :: New Jersey
Neither rain nor...Rain would keep the Garden Staters away!
Last Thursday night, the organization I’m proud to lead, The Union held a Community Conversation with former Congressman Tom Malinowski. In addition to his time in Congress, Tom was a senior State Department official under two presidents, has extensive experience overseas, and was born in Poland when it was still behind the Iron Curtain, giving he and his family a unique perspective on authoritarianism.
Tom related his experience as a 10 year old boy taking the Oath of Citizenship as he was naturalized to become an American citizen. At a No Kings rally the previous weekend, he’d led the crowd in taking taking that same oath, and making that same promise, not just to a place on a map, but to an idea and to one another.
You can watch our entire conversation here.
About 60 intrepid souls braved a torrential downpour to come out and see us. Most were politically active, attuned, and concerned. Several newcomers also showed up, as well. These folks are gold. They’re the ones who’ve voted in the past but watching the news have decided they must get involved. This should be YOU, too!
A Bigger Tent Requires A Wider Door
During the Q+A, a gentleman asked why he should get involved with The Union. A lifelong Democrat, he asked why he should get involved with a non-partisan organization that may not agree with his values across a range of issues.
First, the accusation (sigh) of being wolves in sheep’s clothing. As soon as Trump is gone, we’ll run back to the GOP. Wrong. Wrong. I’m never going back. However, as I said during our conversation, the demands that I comport with everything someone else believes, in the way they believe it, is antithetical to coalition building.
My response:
“You’re not giving me a very big door to walk through…You’re telling me, ‘agree with me, or I don’t want you.’ And that has gotten Democrats into a lot of trouble.”
Another guest, this time a former Republican, echoed my concerns. She didn’t believe her values had changed all that much, nor her beliefs. But she could no longer support a party that thinks, speaks, and acts like Donald Trump. She’s ‘politically homeless’ as the smart kids like to say.
This, too, is where The Union has a role to play. Call us the Airbnb for Politics*. We’re not saying you have to buy the house, nor even take out a long-term lease. But for now, while your old neighborhood is in flames and the town down the way hasn’t opened its gate, you can hang out with us.
*Copyright 2025 Reed Galen (!)
The conversation was serious, there were disagreements, but at no time did anyone deny someone’s right to believe as they would, or denigrate their philosophical position. No one got ugly or arrogant. Tough conversations are possible (and desperately necessary) but the ground must be safe for all involved to have them. Otherwise it just devolves into screaming, carrying on, and everyone pushed further into their corners.
Using Your Voice
Each of our Community Conversations has that moment. That one thing that makes all the organizing, set up, travel, and work for an event (all credit to the incredible team at The Union.) I met Megan, an environmental scientist who’d most recently worked for the US Department of Agriculture.
After the Trump Administration took office, they rapidly went after she and her co-workers. The intimidation is real. Instead of allowing Megan to pursue her research on the effects of climate change on farming (this would seem to be imporant) they effectively put her in a professional closet. Nothing to do, no where to go. Be unseen and unheard.
Megan wouldn’t and couldn’t countenance that. Instead, she resigned her post, accepting all the personal, professional, and financial hardship that comes with it, to ensure her voice, and those of dedicated civil servants are heard by the American people.
As we come through this period, this second decade of the Trumposcene, it is Americans like Megan that are blazing the trail. She and many others like her are sacrificing personally and professionally to do their part in the fight for who and what we are as a nation. We must not allow her brave acts to be for naught.
It’s Our Time
It took us a long time to find our way here. It will not be easy, not fast, to find our way out. I hope you’ll get involved.
Do you live in a place that needs community, that can help build the army of the future, or has an absentee representative? Reach out to us at The Union and we’ll come see you!
Get involved in your community. It doesn’t have to be political. Support a food bank, volunteer at your library, coach a team. Get to know your neighbors. We must get off the couch and off our phones.
News and Notes:
Two GREAT podcasts for you this week featuring two of my favorite (and smartest) people.
First, take a trip around American life with me and Dartmouth Professor
. Jeff always provides us thoughtful and profound observations.Next, watch my talk with CNBC’s Ron Insana. Ron is one of the kindest and wisest souls I’ve met along this journey. Our talk ranges from the economy, to nostalgia, to a desperate need for the rebirth of our national memory.
I hope you’ll like and subscribe to my YouTube channel while you’re there!
 | A guest post by
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Thanks for sharing the Union conversation with the Garden Staters. Did you feel that the "door opened a bit wider" as the evening continued? I just attended an event I sort of help organize. This was a major Dem. fund raiser. At the end of speakers and dinner, one gentleman approached me, and told me all politicians are the same.,etc. I followed with "what does democracy mean to you? And how can we build a democracy that works for you and me and all." He came to the event. Must be interested in some way. My area voted 30% for Trump, but our votes helped swing our Congressional district. Flipped the seat--and sent the Republican guy packing so to speak. Some say we are in safe district--not sure. So, I and we keep working.
I appreciate your approach so much. While I am a lifelong Democrat, I’ve found myself skewing Independent since the last election. In some ways, I am disappointed that we haven’t heard a stronger, more cohesive message from the Democrats. But my overarching concern is that I would like to be part of a large movement to defend democracy; one that transcends party lines and ideological differences. Just because Trump dogwhistles his base to do violence against anyone who disagrees with him does not mean the rest of us should ever engage in that level of divisiveness and hatred. I also find I listen most closely to former Republicans. You are able to see the follies of both parties, perhaps with a clearer eye than those of us who have partisan leanings.