Labor lawyer and author of Which Side Are You On? Thomas Geoghegan gives an impassioned case for the coalition of blue states to unite. He implores them to issue a declaration of emergency for the 25-year devastation done to the sanctity and applicability of the U.S. Constitution and its bedrock principles during those Trump years. This call for concerted action resounds with the American colonists’ struggle against British tyranny from 1768-1776. That era was not only characterized by fiery political theatre but bold, unapologetic assertions of rights.
For Geoghegan, it’s about dealing with the grievances. Like the Founding Fathers—like Thomas Jefferson—in the Declaration of Independence, today’s leaders need to recoil at the abuse of power and unconstitutional acts now before us. He envisions a radically different American polity in an eventual post-Trump future. This new vision protects what’s best about our existing institutions while accepting the need for vital reforms.
This historical context is extremely important to understanding this problematic proposal. The American colonists operated outside established laws, utilizing creative tactics to express their dissent. Non-importation committees promoted active civilian resistance to British policies. Coincidentally, on this date the First Continental Congress met, without any obvious legitimacy or precedent. Each of these actions highlights a conscious effort to disrupt the status quo in service of achieving renditions of justice and recentralized self-governance.
Geoghegan’s proposal calls for the adoption of an interstate compact. Creation of this compact is further authorized under Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which recognizes and provides for compacts between states. This compact would then be petitioned to Congress, where its adoption as federal law would be requested. The project aims to bring together these blue states in a coordinated, muscular effort to address complaints and advance liberal priorities. It further urges states that have yet to sign on, including Texas, Florida, Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio to get on board.
Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico are invited to join as full states. They will compete on a level playing field with their peers. This addition makes a big difference. It acknowledges the stories of the territories, who for decades have fought for their deserved statehood and representation in the federal government.
The purpose of the proposed compact is to provide an actual structure for meaningful cooperation between the states that sign on. It would serve as a platform for implementing progressive legislation, addressing pressing social issues, and countering regressive policies from other states. And by forging a united front, blue states can increase their influence on the national stage and at the federal government level.
Geoghegan’s vision is all too reminiscent of the understanding one has come to develop that the current political reality has required audacious moves. Yet the Trump administration’s challenges have shown just how fragile our democratic structure can be. This has created a tremendous hunger for new ideas. The interstate compact represents an opportunity for states to assert their rights while fostering cooperation and solidarity among like-minded jurisdictions.
To be sure, critics will question the practicality of such a compact. They cite the historical example of the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous consent for any amendments. Yet, Geoghegan makes the point that the need for timely action to meet modern day challenges warrants a break from standard procedures. Constitution took effect even without the participation of some of the states. This highlights how, at least sometimes, the collective will of the people has the ability to transcend legal boundaries.