Boston City Council marks July 4 by comparing Trump’s presidency to pre-Revolutionary British rule

The Boston City Council sought to commemorate America’s July 4 birthday by comparing President Trump’s “unconstitutional” actions in office to the pre-Revolutionary reign of King George III that led to “open rebellion” against the British monarchy. Councilor Benjamin Weber introduced a “resolution for July 4, 2025, in support of democracy and calling for a return to the constitutional principles that are the foundation of this republic” at Wednesday’s Council meeting, where it was blocked by Councilor Ed Flynn, who cited a need for more information before a vote. “The biggest difference between the first Trump administration and the second is that now President Trump is unrestrained,” Weber said before Flynn’s objection formally ended debate. “Here in this country we have fought for no kings and no demagogues … This resolution would follow up on other proclamations that Boston and other cities had against King George III before the American Revolution.” Weber’s holiday resolution, co-sponsored by Councilors Enrique Pepén and Brian Worrell, describes Trump’s actions during his second term in office as being out of step with the foundational principles of the country’s democracy — particularly by showing a “blatant disregard for the separation of powers,” checks and balances and independent judiciary, as reflected in the U.S. Constitution. “King George stripped the colonies of their voice by preventing public meetings, they closed commercial courts and levied taxes to financially control colonists and they shielded the king’s allies from justice by moving trials to friendly courts in England,” Pepén said. “These everyday interferences were designed to compel the colonists to be obedient to the Crown, despite the injustices they faced. “Some of Boston’s early citizens stood strong and fought hard to resist the overreach of a crown, and their energy sparked the flame of the American Revolution,” he said. “These days, it seems that the Trump administration is using its power to do much of the same, whether it’s using the threat of prosecution to control mayors, withholding funding and admissions to (control) academia or making his agents erase public accountability.” Pepén added, “We are straying from our foundational principles and are living in a nation that increasingly looks more like a rule under King George than under the Constitution. While our federal government continues to stray away from the foundational principles of our country, we here in Boston are not going to so willingly stray from those principles.” The resolution further cites the Trump administration’s “unconstitutional” actions during his second term as “disobeying court rulings, attempting to overturn birthright citizenship, denying foundational civil liberties such as habeas corpus, withholding Congressionally-approved funds, closing Congressionally-created departments and agencies, unilaterally imposing tariffs, deploying the U.S. military on U.S. soil against our own residents, and most recently, launching military strikes without the consent or consultation of Congress.” The Council filing references the “No Kings” protests and other demonstrations that have been been held in Boston in recent weeks as evidence that its residents “expect democracy” and notes that it follows resolutions passed in other major cities like Philadelphia “calling for an end to behavior that resembles that of a monarch and tramples upon the founding principles of our Constitution.” The non-binding resolution calls for the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to urge the U.S. Congress to enforce the Constitution, work with the judicial branch to restore the separation of powers, “to ensure that illegal or unconstitutional acts, including acts of corruption, are overturned, and to demonstrate in all actions that the United States of America has no king.” Weber tried to bring the resolution forward as a late file prior to the July 4 holiday, but it was blocked by Flynn at the time, thus preventing it from being added to the agenda for discussion and a potential vote. Flynn, who is one of the few moderate Democrats on a progressive-leaning Council, objected to the resolution again on Wednesday, saying that he wanted to learn more about it in a committee hearing, before taking a vote. His objection automatically ended debate, per Council rules, and led Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, who spoke favorably of the resolution, to send it to the Committee on Civil Rights, Immigrant Advancement and Racial Equity. Flynn’s second block also prompted criticism from some progressive circles. Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale, whose membership signed onto a letter to councilors Tuesday in support of the resolution, posted on its Facebook page that it was “quite baffling that Councilor Flynn blocked it again.” “Clearly, there’s more to do (to) help people understand what this moment in history means, and how to rise urgently to protect democracy,” the progressive neighborhood group posted. Pepén also issued a statement criticizing Flynn’s move to delay a vote, saying that while his colleague cited his need to “learn more” about the filing, “there is no ambiguity here.” Related Articles Feds move to seize $13K restitution payment from disgraced ex-Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson Boston city councilor says neighboring towns should pick up Hub’s Mass and Cass drug market tab Tania Fernandes Anderson’s embattled tenure on Boston City Council is now over Boston City Hall payroll glitch leaves employees with delayed paychecks: ‘Major embarrassment’ Boston City Hall sexual misconduct probe clears top Wu cabinet official of wrongdoing “In these trying times, people want to know who is standing with them,” Pepén said. “This resolution would have sent a message that the Boston City Council is in their corner … It’s disappointing and frustrating to be met with delay, when what our communities need is urgency and clarity.” Flynn countered by saying the Council, which doesn’t meet again until next month, has time to hold a hearing, and suggested that the body should instead focus on matters that directly affect residents. “With a light schedule, the City Council is able to have a formal hearing on this matter,” Flynn said in a statement. “As someone who served in the U.S. Navy for over 20 years, I want to understand exactly what impact this resolution would have on our active duty members and veterans as well. “Additionally,” he said, “the City Council needs to refocus on city and neighborhood services and quality of life issues in Boston.”