We Will Not Be Shaken.

activism| Respect| Empowerment| courage| leadership

February 26, 2025•2 min read

“When cruelty becomes policy, resistance must become duty.” - Mary Coughlin

We Will Not Be Shaken.

We don’t need leaders who govern through fear.

Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget since February 2025, once said:
“We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected.”

Let that sink in.

This is not just a political statement—it is an attack on the very foundation of democracy.

It is a call for cruelty.
A call to weaponize suffering.
A call to dismantle the public service by breaking the people who uphold it.

And now, we see the consequences.

The purge of National Park Service employees is just the latest chapter in this war on public servants. Career professionals—dedicated to protecting our country’s lands and heritage—are being targeted, demoted, and forced out. Not for incompetence. Not for corruption. But for doing their jobs with integrity.

Let’s be clear: Public servants are not enemies.

The people who dedicate their lives to ensuring healthcare, justice, safety, education, and environmental protection are not obstacles to be crushed.

They are the heartbeat of a functioning democracy.

When a leader openly embraces traumatizing people into submission, they are revealing their true intent—not governance, but control.
Not democracy, but domination.

We have a choice.

We can normalize this rhetoric—let it slide, dismiss it as just “politics.”
Or we can draw the line.

We can say: No. Not here. Not now. Not ever.

We stand for integrity over intimidation.
Justice over fear.
Service over self-interest.
Humanity over hate.

And we will not be bullied into silence.

To those who believe governance is about harm—we see you.
And we reject your cruelty.

To the public servants who are being purged, threatened, and silenced—we stand with you.
We honor your work.
We will fight for your dignity.

We don’t need leaders who govern through fear.

We need leaders who understand that justice, accountability, and trauma-informed care are the true foundations of a healthy democracy.

This is the time to choose.

Fear or courage?
Silence or truth?
Apathy or action?

I choose courage, truth, and action.

Who’s with me?

#WeWillNotBeShaken #DemocracyMatters #IntegrityOverIntimidation #RevolutionToLove #ProtectPublicServants #SaveOurParks

Mary Coughlin

Mary Coughlin, BSN, MS, NNP, is a globally recognized leader in Trauma-Informed Developmental Care and the founder of Caring Essentials Collaborative. With over 35 years of clinical experience and a deep passion for nurturing the tiniest and most vulnerable among us, Mary’s work bridges the art and science of neonatal care. She is the creator of the Trauma-Informed Professional (TIP) Assessment-Based Certificate Program, a transformative initiative designed to empower clinicians with the knowledge, skills, and support to deliver exceptional, relationship-based care. Mary is also an award-winning author, sought-after speaker, and compassionate educator who inspires healthcare professionals worldwide to transform their practice through empathy, connection, and evidence-based care. As the visionary behind the B.U.F.F.E.R. framework, Mary helps clinicians integrate love, trust, and respect into every interaction. Through her blog, Mary invites readers to explore meaningful insights, practical tools, and heartfelt reflections that honor the delicate balance of science and soul in healthcare. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician, a passionate advocate, or simply curious about the profound impact of compassionate care, Mary’s words will leave you inspired and empowered.

Back to Blog