MARYLAND— Ed Markey rushed to social media Monday with a dramatic warning that LGBTQ+ rights were “under attack,” timing his alarm in a way that conveniently echoed the kind of emotional flashpoints that reliably energize his political base — despite the Supreme Court having just affirmed that marriage protections remain firmly in place.

The Court didn’t roll anything back, didn’t reopen any case, and didn’t hint at any new threat. Yet Markey lit the sirens anyway, insisting danger was “real” and that Americans must “stay vigilant.” But vigilant against what, exactly?

That’s where the message got blurry. Markey never spelled out which rights were supposedly under siege. Was he talking about marriage — the very issue the Supreme Court had just left untouched? Or was he reaching for broader cultural flashpoints that inflame his followers: the ongoing debates about school policies, youth sports participation, or bathroom access? If Markey is pinning “attacks” on Republicans, is he referring to the GOP’s stance on “men in women’s sports” or disagreements over bathroom regulations — issues that, while hotly contested, aren’t threats to the marriage rights he implied were in jeopardy?

This is good news, but our fight continues. Extremist Republicans are attacking LGBTQ+ rights across the country. We will keep fighting until we achieve full equality for all LGBTQ+ people. pic.twitter.com/PyI8NNc4eh

— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) November 10, 2025

The ambiguity felt deliberate. Markey’s language suggested sweeping danger without ever identifying the specific right at risk. And that’s what raised eyebrows: a dramatic alarm, conveniently vague, delivered just as political momentum often needs a boost. Whether or not fundraising pushes or coordinated messaging were lined up behind the scenes, the performance hit all the familiar notes — urgency, fear, and a carefully crafted sense of imminent crisis.

Meanwhile, there was no new challenge, no fresh ruling, and no indication of any threat to the marriage rights Markey claimed needed defending. Yet the senator pressed ahead, warning of shadowy “attacks” and treating a stable legal outcome like a brush with disaster — despite the Supreme Court keeping every major protection exactly where it stands.

In the end, Markey’s message left supporters convinced of a crisis that didn’t exist and left everyone else wondering which “rights” he was actually talking about — and why he chose this moment to light the fuse.