One way to make Mr. Trump, his enablers, and the media (traditional and independent) hear the message that new leadership is needed to preserve our Republic, I propose to encourage those in a position to act to operationalize Professor Timothy Snyder’s proposal for the creation of a “Shadow Cabinet” to counteract Mr. Trump’s unlawful, unpopular, and dangerous actions with more effective messaging and moral clarity. To be clear, Professor Snyder has had no involvement in the preparation of this document; in fact, we have never communicated in any form. Nonetheless, through reading many of his books, “auditing” his online course on the history of Ukraine (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9mgdi4rNewfxO7LhBoz_1Mx1MaO6sw), following his Substack posts, and watching numerous public lectures and interviews, I have come to feel a strong intellectual connection to his work.
Shadow Cabinet of Conscience: A Democratic Counterweight for an Unstable Era. This proposal is intended to promote new thinking—not to distract, but to clarify the stakes and possibilities.
ATTN: Glenn Kessler: For the record, my discussion below is intended as a form of “sarcasm,” meant to inject some dry humor into an otherwise serious proposal. ESB
As the Trump Administration accelerates its authoritarian drift, Americans need more than scattered voices of dissent—they need a clear, competent, and coordinated civic alternative.
Inspired by the British concept of a shadow cabinet, this proposal envisions a coalition of respected former officials, retired judges, and nonpartisan experts who could serve as a Shadow Cabinet of Conscience. This would not be a political stunt, but a public service—an embodiment of democratic values, constitutional governance, and policy clarity.
Thanks for reading The past is the present, isn't it? It's the future, too! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
⚖️ Why It’s Needed — And Why It’s Hard to Carry Out
Unlike the United Kingdom or Canada, the United States does not operate under a parliamentary system. There is no formal opposition role, and several structural factors work against the formation of a shadow cabinet:
No Institutional Framework: The U.S. Constitution provides no legal or procedural mechanism for an opposition cabinet.
Decentralized Opposition: Democrats, progressives, and independents lack a unified ideological center or leadership structure.
Political Risk: Assembling a shadow cabinet might be seen as undermining current Democratic officeholders or presidential candidates.
Fragmented Media Landscape: Without anything like the BBC’s structured coverage of opposition leaders, U.S. media may ignore or marginalize such an initiative.
Elite Perception: Even with bipartisan and credentialed figures, critics may dismiss it as a “liberal elite” exercise.
Still, the stakes are too high not to act. A Shadow Cabinet could offer more than critique—it could project vision, restore a language of competence and accountability, and model the integrity that current governance lacks.
📡 Dissemination and Global Visibility
A Shadow Cabinet should be assembled as soon as practicable and should disseminate its message through both independent and traditional media platforms, including:
{See complete post for text here}
Illustrative Members for U.S. Shadow Cabinet (Democratic / Independent, 2025)
Role, Proposed Member, Why They Matter
{See complete post for text here}
Honorary Shadow President Barack Obama, VP for Constitutional Oversight Judge J. Michael Luttig (ret.), Secretary of State Adam Kinzinger, Secretary of Defense Michèle Flournoy
Attorney General Preet Bharara, etc.
🧭 A Parting Thought
A Shadow Cabinet for the United States would not replace electoral politics—it would reinforce democratic accountability, model ethical governance, and defend the idea that public service is a duty, not a vehicle for self-enrichment.
It would speak not just to Washington insiders, but to teachers, nurses, veterans, scientists, small business owners, and working-class communities—to all those who remember what competent, lawful, and decent government looks like.
Importantly, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s term ends in early 2026, at which point he could step into a "Prime Ministerial" leadership role for such a body, bringing executive experience and national stature. Until then, a well-known and civic-minded public figure—perhaps George Clooney—might be willing to serve as a symbolic placeholder, helping to draw global attention while the day-to-day leadership remains in the hands of policy experts and institutional stewards.
Lev, your speech was great. Truly spoken from the heart.
✊💪🔥
The thing bullies and dictators fear and hate are being held accountable. They will try to destroy you to keep you from exposing their humanity.
Amazing speech, Lev!!🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
I’m disappointed with the small crowd! Love lev ! Great speech!
Excellent speech, Lev! Very powerful, inspiring, and heartfelt.
A very moving speech Lev 🫶🏼
Thank you for speaking out.
Thank you for fighting.
You're the best❤️💪🏽
Perfectly said Farrah Manley!
Outstanding! I cannot say, thank you enough, Lev! 👊❤️🔥
Great speech! Thank you! 👍🏼👍🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Awesome speech! No kings!!! Lev, you are amazing. 💙🇺🇸💙
One way to make Mr. Trump, his enablers, and the media (traditional and independent) hear the message that new leadership is needed to preserve our Republic, I propose to encourage those in a position to act to operationalize Professor Timothy Snyder’s proposal for the creation of a “Shadow Cabinet” to counteract Mr. Trump’s unlawful, unpopular, and dangerous actions with more effective messaging and moral clarity. To be clear, Professor Snyder has had no involvement in the preparation of this document; in fact, we have never communicated in any form. Nonetheless, through reading many of his books, “auditing” his online course on the history of Ukraine (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9mgdi4rNewfxO7LhBoz_1Mx1MaO6sw), following his Substack posts, and watching numerous public lectures and interviews, I have come to feel a strong intellectual connection to his work.
Shadow Cabinet of Conscience: A Democratic Counterweight for an Unstable Era. This proposal is intended to promote new thinking—not to distract, but to clarify the stakes and possibilities.
ATTN: Glenn Kessler: For the record, my discussion below is intended as a form of “sarcasm,” meant to inject some dry humor into an otherwise serious proposal. ESB
Posted at https://ethansburger.substack.com/p/shadow-cabinet-of-conscience-a-democratic
As the Trump Administration accelerates its authoritarian drift, Americans need more than scattered voices of dissent—they need a clear, competent, and coordinated civic alternative.
Inspired by the British concept of a shadow cabinet, this proposal envisions a coalition of respected former officials, retired judges, and nonpartisan experts who could serve as a Shadow Cabinet of Conscience. This would not be a political stunt, but a public service—an embodiment of democratic values, constitutional governance, and policy clarity.
Thanks for reading The past is the present, isn't it? It's the future, too! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
⚖️ Why It’s Needed — And Why It’s Hard to Carry Out
Unlike the United Kingdom or Canada, the United States does not operate under a parliamentary system. There is no formal opposition role, and several structural factors work against the formation of a shadow cabinet:
No Institutional Framework: The U.S. Constitution provides no legal or procedural mechanism for an opposition cabinet.
Decentralized Opposition: Democrats, progressives, and independents lack a unified ideological center or leadership structure.
Political Risk: Assembling a shadow cabinet might be seen as undermining current Democratic officeholders or presidential candidates.
Fragmented Media Landscape: Without anything like the BBC’s structured coverage of opposition leaders, U.S. media may ignore or marginalize such an initiative.
Elite Perception: Even with bipartisan and credentialed figures, critics may dismiss it as a “liberal elite” exercise.
Still, the stakes are too high not to act. A Shadow Cabinet could offer more than critique—it could project vision, restore a language of competence and accountability, and model the integrity that current governance lacks.
📡 Dissemination and Global Visibility
A Shadow Cabinet should be assembled as soon as practicable and should disseminate its message through both independent and traditional media platforms, including:
{See complete post for text here}
Illustrative Members for U.S. Shadow Cabinet (Democratic / Independent, 2025)
Role, Proposed Member, Why They Matter
{See complete post for text here}
Honorary Shadow President Barack Obama, VP for Constitutional Oversight Judge J. Michael Luttig (ret.), Secretary of State Adam Kinzinger, Secretary of Defense Michèle Flournoy
Attorney General Preet Bharara, etc.
🧭 A Parting Thought
A Shadow Cabinet for the United States would not replace electoral politics—it would reinforce democratic accountability, model ethical governance, and defend the idea that public service is a duty, not a vehicle for self-enrichment.
It would speak not just to Washington insiders, but to teachers, nurses, veterans, scientists, small business owners, and working-class communities—to all those who remember what competent, lawful, and decent government looks like.
Importantly, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s term ends in early 2026, at which point he could step into a "Prime Ministerial" leadership role for such a body, bringing executive experience and national stature. Until then, a well-known and civic-minded public figure—perhaps George Clooney—might be willing to serve as a symbolic placeholder, helping to draw global attention while the day-to-day leadership remains in the hands of policy experts and institutional stewards.