Black folks have a long and storied history of pushing back against those who abuse power. Therefore, it should be no surprise that several honorees of The Root 100 made waves — and headlines — for standing up against President Donald Trump. Here are just a few.
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Don Lemon
In 2025, Don Lemon consistently critiqued Trump’s policies, actions, and character ton his YouTube channel that has more than 900,000 subscribers. He is not shy about often characterizing Trump’s behavior as dangerous for democracy and driven by a desire for revenge.
Joy-Ann Reid
Reid may have left MSNBC this year but she did not stop speaking truth to power. She just took her talents to YouTube. And honestly, she’s at her best when she is not constrained by a network. Being off the air means that she can take her gloves off and say what was really on her mind. She is thriving on YouTube and continues to criticize Trump at every turn.
Letitia James
New York Attorney General Letitia James has remained steadfast in her mission to protect New Yorkers, despite the fact that she was indicted by the Trump administration for fraud. Her response was simple. “I am not fearful, I am fearless.”
Mayors Brandon Johnson and Brandon Scott
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are leading the charge as up-and-coming progressive political leaders. Scott launched the ambitious Charm City Cleanup Initiative which focused on cleaning public spaces. Under Johnson’s leadership, the Windy City had the fewest homicides since 1965. These men are pushing back against Trump’s attempt to paint their cities as undesirable and crime infested.
Gov. Wes Moore
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has been one of Trump’s loudest critics. When the president’s administration sent the National Guard into the streets of D.C., Moore did not hesitate to speak his mind calling it “deeply dangerous” and a distraction from economic issues. When Trump threatened to send troops into Baltimore, Moore invited Trump to join him on a public safety walk in the city to see Maryland’s approach, which has seen a significant drop in violent crime. The president has not taken him up on that offer.
Janai Nelson
Janai Nelson is president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), and 2025 marked her first argument before the U.S. Supreme Court, fighting to preserve the Voting Rights Act (VPA) of 1965 from the administration’s attempt to push back against the administration’s attempt to undermine its provisions. Nelson is taking legal steps to stop Trump from stripping away something many of our ancestors fought to give us. The right to vote.
Texas State Reps. Nicole Collier and Jolanda Jones
Reps. Nicole Collier of Fort Worth and Jolanda Jones of Houston both boldly stood up to the president this year. They captured the attention of the nation when they joined a Democratic walkout protesting the state’s plan to redistrict congressional house seats to ensure Republicans kept control of Congress. These women embody both Black excellence and political boldness.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett
Rep. Crockett did not hide her disdain for President Trump this year. When he said that she and Maxine Waters had low IQs, she went on national television and fired back. When he tried to tip the electoral scales by adding Republican seats in Texas, she went to California to help them pass Prop 50. A measure that will give Democrats seats in California. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Crockett has been one of the fiercest critics of Trump and his administration in 2025.
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