With the amount of upheaval happening with President Donald Trump’s administration and the flurry of Republican-led action at the General Assembly to start a new session, many liberal-minded Orange County residents are feeling overwhelmed by efforts that go against their values.
Meanwhile, one state representative for the community is urging people to find ways to channel their energy and try to make a difference – even if it’s within their own circles.
During a recent interview with 97.9 The Hill, North Carolina Senator Graig Meyer offered advice to his constituents who feel particularly disheartened or disillusioned following the 2024 election cycle. The Democrat – who represents Orange County alongside Caswell and Person counties – said despite the area’s reputation for its progressive ideations, the urgency being felt must translate into tangible responses by voters.
“I want to give people something to do besides doomscrolling,” he said. “This is not a time for political hobby-ism – and to be honest, this town is really good at political hobby-ism. But we need people who are willing to take action.”
Much of the attention has been around the federal government changes, with funding cuts being threatened by Trump and his advisor Elon Musk’s group, the Department of Government Efficiency. North Carolina is already feeling the effects, with hundreds of jobs in the nonprofit sector lost as federal grants are being canceled or scaled back. The higher education community also faces significant challenges as cuts to the National Institutes of Health and Department of Education threaten wide swaths of research.
Meyer described the latter as a piece of the Republican party’s culture war and an effort to suppress dissenting opinions from those in charge – which, he pointed out, is straight out of the authoritarian playbook.
“When you look at what’s happening on the UNC campus,” said the state senator, “they are getting attacked on the cuts to science funding, they are getting attacked on the intrusion of this potential ICE bill requiring them to participate [in deportations], they are getting attacked on diversity equity and inclusion grounds.
“I mean, this is a classic rise of authoritarianism and fascism,” he continued. “You go after intellectuals, and you try and take away the centers of argument against what it is you’re trying to do and get [those campuses] to be in a place where they’re under speech controls.”
But Meyer warned that the national direction of the Republican party is being reflected at the state level too, where Republican lawmakers are one vote short of a supermajority in both chambers. In the last month, bills aiming to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs, require stricter immigration enforcement, and limit the North Carolina Attorney General’s ability to sue the presidential administration all advanced at a rapid rate. Republican lawmakers are also emphasizing a higher priority on auditing – and potentially cutting – funding for departments or programs they deem frivolous or mismanaged, following the tone set by DOGE.
Meyer said while he sees all the bills as threats, the one preventing N.C. Attorney General and Democrat Jeff Jackson from challenging Trump’s executive orders particularly foreshadows an effort to move away from democratic checks and balances.
“The only reason why you’d want to take away the ability to defend yourself against unconstitutional actions,” said Meyer, “is if you wanted the president to be able to take unconstitutional actions. And if you want [that], then you’re treating him like a king.”
So, what does Meyer suggest people do beyond staying aware of the attempted shifts of the governments’ roles? He said one way is to organize and attend events like last week’s rally against DOGE in Raleigh, which Meyer helped put together and platform. He also recommended voters get in touch with their state and federal legislators to directly express their concerns – specifically calling out U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who he cited as perhaps the most influential elected official to “help North Carolina weather this storm and stop the worst elements of Trump authoritarianism from hurting people in our communities.”
But the state senator also said steps can be taken in a more personal way, like pledging to not let threats or changes affect how one speaks, interacts with others, or approaches certain issues.
“Do not comply in advance – do not let them run a false narrative that forces you into choices that are not the only choices you have,” Meyer said. “If you make the choices that they want you to feel that you’re forced into, then you are advancing their goals – even if you feel like you’re making the best choice in front of you.”
Most importantly, Meyer added, he believes the Orange County community should try to find joy where they can in their daily lives. Whether caring for those around you, acknowledging artwork or nature, or finding time to disconnect when anxiety ramps up, he said recognizing those moments is important to maintaining one’s character and local values.
“I want to make sure, even in a highly charged political environment, we remind people that we cannot conquer fear with fear, we cannot counter violence with violence. We need to build a beloved community that’s based in joy, compassion, and sharing – and we need to take care of each other above all other things.”
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