Applying Saul Alinsky's strategies to the Anti-Trump Resistance

Tough Times Require Tough (Non-Violent) Tactics

Applying Saul Alinsky's strategies to the Anti-Trump-Administration Resistance

Neil Wollman

Saul Alinsky was a master strategist, starting in the 1940s and particularly in the turbulent time of protests of the 1960’s. His 1971 Rules for Radicals is considered a classic in organizing, It has been utilized by both those on the political Left and Right. Though likely not consciously, as seen below as examples, Trump uses many of the rules himself (some sentences or wording here are taken from How Donald Trump Exploits 12 Of Saul Alinsky's Radical Rules. They can be used in reverse against him in vigorously confronting the Administration. Additionally, some sentences or wording are taken from The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook.

Below is a presentation in practical bullet point form of those rules that can be best applied; with some rules combined. Examples are given for each to spur your thinking, but use your own imagination to apply as best fits your situation. Here is a description of the book And you can read it here, with more examples of the use of each tactic, in addition to many other insights and suggestions (Read Rules For Radicals A Practical Primer for Realistic Radicals By Saul D. Alinsky).

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“Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.”
“You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.”
• Trump says he is for free speech, but he is censoring or punishing those speaking out against him or his belief system.
• He talks about opposing antisemitism but shows prejudice against Jews and seems to like some things about Hitler.
• He knowingly hired undocumented/illegal immigrants for building construction but talks about such folks taking away US citizen’ jobs.
• Though he says he is concerned about everyday folks, Trump proudly stands with billionaires and corporations that take away consumer protections, and exploit workers and the American public for their own benefit.
• Though he says he is concerned about the environment, Trump proudly stands with companies that pollute the environment, and increase global warming that raises temperatures, and causes droughts and floods that endanger citizen’s lives.
• Though he says he is concerned about everyday people, Trump proudly stands with those who throw working people out of their job and take away their benefits.
• Though he says he hires only the best, Trump proudly stands with his loyal, incompetent appointees who hurt citizen’s welfare and weaponize government to go after his political enemies.
• Though he says he wants to drain the swamp, he is one of the most corrupt presidents ever. He is actually filling the swamp.
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“Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.”
“Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.”
“Trump goes outside the Establishment's lawyerly conventions by employing Narrative. Reagan, a movie star, did so as well. Trump tells a dramatic story of Us, the Good Guys, beating Them, the Bad Guys (or Losers). “
• Just refuse Trump/Musk requests, at whatever level or position you have; so, e.g.,
1. New York Will Not Comply with Public School DEI Order “The New York State Education Department on Friday issued a defiant response to the Trump administration’s threats to pull federal funding from public schools over certain diversity, equity and inclusion programs.”
2. Maine Governor Janet Mills telling Trump we will see you in court regarding transgender issues.
3. Some fired employees just not leaving work.
4. Fighting an ICE action.
5. After being threatened with a cutting of funds: “No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” said Alan Garber, Harvard’s president, in a statement to the university on Monday.”
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“Never go outside the expertise of your people. It results in confusion, fear, and retreat.”
“Talk in an understandable/identifiable way, like Trump: Make America Great Again. I am going to build a wall and Mexico will pay for it. I am the greatest jobs president God has ever created. Not we’ll have 8% economic growth, but dazzling job creation. I want a big, beautiful bill.” And though in error, "Liberation Day," would "forever be remembered as the day that American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again."
Thus:
• We are going to take down Trump and Musk.
• If we stick together, we will win.
• The days of tyranny will soon be over.
• We have them on the run.
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“Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.”
Exaggerate whatever you do or have, like Trump does about his wealth or how many jobs he has created. He has recently deployed miliary troops at the southern border, announcing in a memorandum called “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions." Use your own judgment in how much you feel comfortable in exaggerating.

• The number of rallies that have or will happen, expected numbers, and what targets and venues that would intimidate.
• How many funds have been raised or expected.
• How many people support your views.
• The past/expected number of acts of disobeying Administration/Trump demands.
• Use some of the fifty tactics linked to at the top of the rule below--- and exaggerate.
• We have the greatest/biggest movement in American history.
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“A good tactic is one your people enjoy.”
“If your people are not having a ball doing it, there is something very wrong with the tactic.”
• Here is a link to a short, non-jargon, mainly bullet point piece on influencing public opinion and getting people involved in your effort. It also includes a long list of actions you can take to get out your message that can be applied in the Trump resistance. See which ones would be enjoyable to do.
• See Gene Sharp’s 198 METHODS OF NONVIOLENT ACTION for further tactics of resistance. Use the “standing man protest” (see attachment) as a complement to larger scale protests.
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“A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.”
• “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Trumplation: (Whatever happened to the NFL kneeling “controversy”?). Trump nimbly hops from venue to venue putting on a fine, fast-paced, show. Most candidates have a standard stump speech and the occasional Major (and utterly predicable) Statement. This gets stupefying. Trump’s a maniac but he’s never a drag.
• So vary use of the fifty tactics listed here and in 198 METHODS OF NONVIOLENT ACTION .
• Stop and restart tactics.

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“Keep the pressure on, with different tactics and actions, and utilize all events of the period for your purpose.“
“The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.”
• Keep the pressure on. (“Trumplation: From North Korea to the EU to London to Helsinki backed by an unending chorus of tweets.”). “The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.” (“Trumplation: One Donald Trump tweeting, many Democrats attempting to counter.”) As Trump supporter Steve Bannon says, “Flood the zone.”

• “Retirees control a large portion of U.S. wealth, including pensions, retirement savings, and investments. Coordinated boycotts and consumer strikes led by seniors could devastate companies complicit in authoritarian policies. Elderly and disabled Americans rely heavily on public services, and we have the organizational capacity—through AARP, unions, and advocacy groups—to resist efforts to dismantle them. If seniors collectively mobilize against authoritarianism, we could tip elections, pressure lawmakers, and halt policies that dismantle democracy.”

• “Activate Economic Pressure Tactics. Boycott corporations that fund authoritarian politicians or support voter suppression. Leverage pension funds and retirement savings to push for ethical investment and corporate accountability. Use purchasing power strategically--organizing collective action to demand fair labor practices and anti-authoritarian policies from businesses.”

• “University faculties must join together under the umbrella of the American Association of University Professors to speak out against Trump’s assault on free speech and debate at universities, sue the Trump administration for violating their rights under the First Amendment, and develop a media strategy to alert the public to the dangers.”

• The list of fifty tactics noted above—use to keep the pressure on.
• Many of the ideas above can be used to keep the pressure on.

• Use the 198 METHODS OF NONVIOLENT ACTION.

• Go to places of business and homes of the opposition. Have supporters follow around Administration targets.
• “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” “(Trumplation: I’ll run for a third term).” So threaten some of the above tactics, even if not intending or unsure about doing so. Let the Trump Administration worry about which threats will be enacted. Say things like: We will sue you/bring you to court, impeach you, picket your house.”
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“Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.”
“Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counterattack ridicule. Also, it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage.”
• “Trump doesn't blast “free trade.” He attacks Ford for building plants in Mexico. He doesn’t call out “our broken immigration system.” He conjures Mexican rapists.” “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” “(Trumplation: target individuals not institutions – Carmen Yulin Cruz, Stephen Colbert, Megyn Kelly. Trump doesn’t attack The Media. He attacks Megyn Kelly. Trump doesn’t attack Hollywood. He calls out Rosie O’Donnell (who once called for guillotining folks like Trump).”
• “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” “(Trumplation: Crooked Hillary, Corrupt Kaine.) Ridicule certainly is Trump’s most potent weapon. When others attack Trump they tend to argue with or criticize him. That’s far less effective than ridicule.”

• Give negative nicknames to Trump or Musk, using at times the opposite of what Trump says about himself: Dangerous Don, Corrupt Don, the Lyin’ King, Cheating Don. And Mean Musk, Malicious Musk, Heartless Musk.

o Trump can still be fitted for an orange prison uniform to match his skin color.
o Trump plans on setting up a gift shop in the White House selling bleach for Covid and oversized ear patches.
o He plans on recording an album of rock classics; like “I’m a loser,” “I fought the law and the law won,” and “Dazed and confused.”
o Trump is small, tiny, infinitesimal, itsy-bitsy, little, meager, microscopic, mini, miniature, minute, pint-sized, puny, small-scale, teensy, teeny, wee, undersized, elf-like.

• A contest on the most destructive actions Trump /Musk have taken. Or one for the weirdest Trump quotes. Robert Reich had a contest on what would be a fitting monument to Trump rather than his face being carved on Mount Rushmore. The winner was “Name a Federal prison after him.”; another good entry was “Name a landfill after him.”
• Discuss the several bankruptcies of shrewd businessman Donald Trump.
• Obviously, the best targets are Trump and Musk, but others can be used because of the negatives of their policies so far; such as those in his cabinet, like RFK Jr. and his effects on the nation’s health. Even asking whether he should be charged for murder (a threat) for things like this: “Kennedy is set to announce Thursday the planned changes, which include axing 10,000 full-time employees spread across departments tasked with responding to disease outbreaks, approving new drugs, providing insurance for the poorest Americans and more. The worker cuts are in addition to roughly 10,000 employees who opted to leave the department since President Trump took office, through voluntary separation offers.”
• Also, perhaps attack some big corporate figures who represent the rich (of course Musk fits that category, besides his cutting of people and programs). Or attack some Administration-supporting members of Congress who represent particular special interests.
• Consider using the explosive content in attachment one for a personal attack.
• Some example ridiculing graphics:
After his recent medical exam, it turns out that this is not Trump’s signature, but the display of his erratic and unhealthy EKG heart rhythm.


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Here are some other general principles of Alinsky, relating mainly to his specialty of community organizing. Some of these may not be compatible with some of the suggested actions above, so use as seems best for your work and what you feel comfortable with. Many sentences and wordings below come from Rules for Radicals: Making a Difference Peacefully.
• Alinsky believed that effective social change comes not from mere outrage but from calculated strategies, emphasizing flexibility and creativity.
• One of the central tenets of Alinsky’s philosophy is that sustainable social change must begin at the grassroots level, with the community and local people leading rather than external advocates. He posits that real power lies in the hands of the people, and organizing communities by highlighting common struggles and turning apathy emphasizing into action.
• Focus on local issues; and utilize local power centers—like churches.
• His methods involve building strong alliances, fostering trust, and collective power rather than relying on charismatic individuals.
• Build organizations rather than promote movements concerned with higher level ideologies.
• Alinsky’s radicalism is rooted not in violence but in strategic disruption. The greatest vulnerability of power holders is public exposure. Therefore, tactics should focus on making injustice visible and undeniable.
• Alinsky’s famous “sit-in” tactics were designed to peacefully disrupt the normal flow of business, forcing authorities to address the protesters’ demands without inciting violent repression. This method allowed marginalized communities to highlight injustices while maintaining the moral high ground.
• A key concept in “Rules for Radicals” is the pragmatic consideration of means and ends. Alinsky challenges the moral absolutism often associated with activism, arguing that the ethics of an action must be judged in context. For example, he justifies using provocative tactics if they ultimately lead to positive social outcomes. Alinsky’s philosophy revolves around the idea that the end goal—empowering marginalized communities—justifies the use of unconventional and disruptive means.


Neil Wollman; Ph. D.; retired Senior Fellow at Manchester and Bentley Universities; Father of Scout, Leo, Jack, & Beau.