Q&A with David Hogg

Q: Vanshika Thakur, Blogger of The Real Rectitude

A: David Hodd, Board Member of the MFOL

Q: David, the Trump administration has been pushing aggressive executive actions that many see as a rollback of democratic norms. How do you think that impacts the youth-led movements you represent?

A: It’s both a threat and a motivator. Young people today have grown up with constant political instability, school shootings, climate collapse, attacks on bodily autonomy, and now, we’re watching the federal government gut its own institutions. But we’re not backing down. If anything, it’s energizing a new wave of youth resistance. Our generation was raised in crisis. We know how to organize in chaos.

Q: Do you see any parallels between the Trump administration's dismantling of agencies, like the Department of Education, and authoritarian trends worldwide?

A: Absolutely. When a government starts hollowing out the agencies meant to serve people, especially marginalized students, it's not just mismanagement. It's a power grab. It’s what we’ve seen in Hungary, Brazil, and even Russia: dismantle oversight, restrict dissent, and concentrate control. That’s why civic education, which this administration also undermines, is more important than ever.

Q: Gun violence remains a central issue for MFOL. Under this administration, with expanded Second Amendment rhetoric and looser gun restrictions, how is your organization responding?

A: We’re adapting. While Congress is gridlocked, we’re working with state legislatures to pass red flag laws, universal background checks, and safe storage mandates. But we’re also expanding our narrative, connecting gun violence to policing, domestic violence, and white supremacy. Guns aren’t just a rights issue. They're a systemic violence issue. And this administration is feeding that system.

Q: The Supreme Court recently cleared the way for mass layoffs at the Department of Education. Do you worry this creates a precedent that weakens civil oversight?

A: 100%. It’s terrifying. The Department of Education isn’t just about funding schools, it enforces civil rights, handles federal aid, and protects vulnerable students. Weakening it weakens democracy. It’s part of a bigger pattern: if you can’t win public trust, you erode the public institutions that hold power accountable.

Q: A lot of young organizers are concerned about burnout and political nihilism. What do you tell them right now, especially under an administration that seems hostile to youth voices?

A: I always say: don’t confuse burnout with defeat. Rest is part of resistance. Yes, this administration is trying to shut us out, but that’s proof our voices matter. They wouldn’t fight this hard to silence us if we weren’t powerful. Take a breath, then keep going. Because no one else is going to save our future but us.

Q: As someone who’s deeply engaged in policy and protest, where do you see the legal system failing most under this administration, and what gives you hope?

A: Courts have become battlegrounds. We're watching fundamental rights, bodily autonomy, voting access, and education get dismantled. But young public interest lawyers, movement-aligned legal scholars, and community defenders give me hope. There’s a new generation of legal minds coming up who aren’t just interpreting the law — they’re redefining justice.

Q: What’s MFOL’s top priority going into the 2026 midterms? How can international observers understand the stakes?

A: Our top priority is youth voter turnout. That’s the ballgame. Every authoritarian regime starts by suppressing the vote, and young people are always the first target. We’re building infrastructure across college campuses, trade schools, and online spaces to make sure young voters are informed, registered, and showing up. For international observers: this isn’t just about American policy. It’s about whether democracy as a global idea survives.