Our Executive Committee and a team of members drafted the statement linked below and released it to the media last week. We felt that it was necessary to speak out as US citizens on the disinformation and continuous, unacceptable targeting of South Africa coming from the White House. We've heard from you all year on this and I know we often respond that Democrats Abroad has a policy of not engaging in foreign policy, but these are extraordinary circumstances in regard to South Africa, and not normal times, so we decided that it was the right thing to do.
I’ve talked with Global Democrats Abroad this week to identify next steps we can take that will provide us with opportunities to continue to speak out and raise awareness within their current policy guidelines.
Because we crossed the "no foreign policy" line with this statement, we can't promote it further in the media or social media but we have identified acceptable next steps.
You can find the (unsigned version) "US Citizens in South Africa speak out against the Trump administration’s undemocratic, White Supremacist agenda" statement HERE.
- You, as individual US citizens, can use/update/adapt the statement for your personal use.
- We encourage you to send it to your Representatives and Senators.
- Post content on your social media profiles regularly to counter the disinformation. Your personal perspectives can be invaluable.
TimesLive published it in full but you'll find other coverage including the Sunday Independent, Independent online, EWN, 702 on FB, Daily News, Ricardo Gressel was interviewed on Cape Talk, and I appeared on eNCA. Clayson Monyela, Head of Public Diplomacy at DIRCO, shared it on X.
We will also be identifying relevant leaders in Congress, including committees and caucuses and will reach out to them regarding our collective concerns. Where we find Democratic leaders speaking or writing about the White House attacks on South Africa, we can share those on social media so if you see something useful, please share with us.
There have been additional nefarious actions from the White House in the few days since we drafted the statement and unfortunately this is likely to be an ongoing situation. If you have creative ideas for DASA or US citizens on this or you'd like to help with the next steps, please let us know at [email protected]
I copied the statement, added a personal note, and pasted it into my Senators' and Representative's contact boxes and hit send. Just takes a few minutes! Please take a few minutes today to counter the narrative. Our voices can make a difference.
Thank you,
Liz O'Leary (DASA Chair) and the Executive Committee
DEMOCRATS HAVE WON OR OVERPERFORMED IN 90% OF THE ELECTIONS HELD IN 2025!
2026, HERE WE COME!
Special Election Result in Congressional District Tennessee 7 — Democrat Aftyn Behn lost to Republican Matt Van Epps by only 5 points - that is a 17 point swing from a year ago (this was a +22 district for Trump)!
As DemList wrote, “The outcome, however, provided cause for celebration by both parties. In a race widely viewed as a test of President Donald Trump's popularity, Republicans won the election, but Democrats won the narrative -- reducing a heavily pro-Trump district to a single-digit race."
ELECTIONS STILL UNDER WAY:
✅ The Miami Mayor’s race is going to a runoff December 9 — Democrat Eileen Higgins is the frontrunner, facing off against a MAGA Republican. If she prevails this will be a FLIP for Florida. (FL voters can return their ballots by FAX = e-fax!). Remind friends and family in Miami to VOTE! Voters abroad can find info HERE
✅ Texas 18 (Houston) Special Election runoff on January 31 — between two Democrats Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards. Voters abroad should request their ballots at the beginning of Jan and can find info HERE
✅ New Jersey Congressional District 11 (Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties) Special Election to fill Mikie Sherrill’s seat now that she is Governor; Primary is February 5, General Election is April 16 – this will be a hotly contested Democratic primary with 11 Dems who have thrown their hat into the ring, and one Republican. Voters abroad should request their ballots at the beginning of Jan and can find info HERE
Mark Your Calendars
INTERNATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY - January 15, 2026
- Register to vote / request a ballot from January 2026. In 2026, there will be 470 Federal elections in Congress – all 435 members of the House, plus ⅓ of the Senate, plus 2 additional Senate seats (FL & OH).
- One ballot request in January prepares you for any and all elections for the year! Need help or have questions? Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org
LEGISLATION
A Threat to Dual Citizenship
You may have seen that Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) released a proposal this week that, if passed, would strip U.S. citizenship from Americans who hold a second passport.
The bill, S.3283 titled Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, has been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Read the Democrats Abroad Statement on the unconstitutional proposal HERE
It's unconstitutional and would not pass easily so we shouldn't panic but we need to keep on top of things. One of our DASA members has offered to draft a message we can send to our elected officials in Congress and we'll share that action soon. The Administration is coming at us from all directions and will keep trying routes to attack our voting rights. We must keep pushing back....and be ready to VOTE!
EVENTS
Monday 8 December from 4:30pm - December Drinks
The HarvTable by Leko Madlala, Morningview Shopping Centre, 100 South Road, Morningside
ICE belongs in our beverages, not in our communities! Join us for an informal end of year meetup in Joburg. No RSVP necessary.
Late January - Living Across Borders
Charles Horner, a Certified Financial Planner and Investment Specialist, from Sanlam Private Wealth, will join us for a session on "What US Citizens need to know about South African Tax and More"
We're just finalising the date and time. More Info To Come
SPEAKING OF TAXES....
The Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force visited Congressional offices in Washington D.C. from October 20-24 to continue conversations on tax reform for Americans abroad.
44 meetings over 5 days
26 Democratic offices
17 Republican offices
20 House offices
24 Senate offices
1 non-Congressional meeting
MORE TAXATION TASK FORCE RESOURCES
2026 will be another critical election year! We're looking for volunteers to help DASA develop community, find US citizens in SA, resist the regime, and turn out the vote!
Dec-Feb Need:
- Volunteers to help call members as we update our database
Throughout 2026:
- Host events
- Membership development
- Voter outreach & assistance
- Communications
- Phonebanking
- Fundraising
- Resistance activities
And more! Whether you have a couple of hours from time to time or can take on longer term responsibility, there's a role for you! Email us at [email protected] or use our Volunteer Interest Form HERE
Thank you!
PLEASE CONNECT TO STAY UPDATED & SHARE!
US Citizens in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]
Thank you -
Democrats Abroad South Africa