John --



Did you know there's a scientific term for an extreme aversion to Donald Trump?



Coulrophobia. noun. A fear of clowns.



<[link removed]>



And while there's no shortage of reasons to fear this clown's unique threat to our democracy, he presented yet another at his deranged Town Hall this week: Default.



Yes, Default Don recklessly told the Republican audience in the theater (not to mention his MAGA lieutenants in Congress) that the United States should default on the national debt.



Let that sink in for a moment. Defaulting on our debt would have catastrophic consequences for our economy (sky high interest rates and inflation that would make the last couple years look like nothing), our international standing (plummeting credit rating and huge threat to remaining the world's reserve currency), and the lives of every American citizen.



Say hello to even higher interest rates on mortgages, car loans, and student loans. Say goodbye to big and small businesses obtaining the capital they need to survive, resulting in another avalanche of job losses and economic instability. Our global reputation as a reliable economic powerhouse would be shattered, severely damaging trade relationships and the supply chain that fills our stores.



This has been the position of every previous Republican and Democratic Congress and Administration: We cannot default on the debt. We cannot risk the full faith and credit of the United States of America.



Until now.



And is it any wonder that Trump has no problem defaulting on our national debt? After all, he's defaulted on his own debts -- not once, but four times. As the ultimate narcissist, he prioritizes his own self-interest over the well-being of anyone or anything else. We cannot allow Default Don to drag our country down the path he's paving to economic and cultural hell. That's not how we make America great -- not even close.



Now, believe it our not, we don't send this email to scare you. Default Don is scary enough without us uttering a word. But we write today because we're doing something about it (and don't forget to check out the Movement Memo below). Country First is identifying, recruiting, and training pro-democracy, pro-freedom candidates to take-out the threats to our democracy, and leading campaigns to reform our primary election system so that Default Don and his anti-democracy clown posse can no longer hold our political system hostage. The work may not be easy, but our plan is simple and effective.



It is not too late; this nation is not too far gone. America is worth it. Our kids' futures are worth it. Please consider making a gift of any size today to invest in our critical mission to put Country First. <[link removed]>



Together,



Country First Team















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Upcoming Events



May 15 at 8pm ET 



- National Communications Volunteer Working Group Town Hall <[link removed]>



May 16 at 8pm ET 



- Wisconsin Speaker Program <[link removed]>



May 17 at 8pm ET 



- National Electoral Reform Volunteer Working Group Town Hall <[link removed]>



May 18 at 8pm ET



- National Speaker Series Volunteer Working Group Town Hall <[link removed]>



May 25 at 7pm ET 



- Country First Book Club <[link removed]>







ELECTION REFORM 



Star Tribune <[link removed]>: Real progress made on Minnesota election reform



One of the most far-reaching reforms to come out of an already packed legislative session is an expansive elections bill that will make some long-needed reforms a reality in Minnesota. The Democracy for the People Act, signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz this month, will implement various reforms long sought by voting rights advocates. Included are automatic voter registration; pre registration for 16- and 17-year-olds to establish eligibility to vote at 18, and a permanent absentee ballot list allowing voters to get ballots mailed to them at every election.



KSHB <[link removed]>: Kansas City, Missouri, to host listening session on possible changes to election process



A special commission is reviewing possible changes to the way voters in Kansas City, Missouri, elect the mayor and city council members. Current Mayor Quinton Lucas appointed members to the Charter Review Commission in April. Every 10 years, the city must review its charter or constitution. Lucas asked commission members to focus on reviewing rules about voting. Johnston said another option is ranked choice voting. 



GERRYMANDERING



Brennen Center for Justice <[link removed]>: Alaska Supreme Court Strikes Down Gerrymandered Districts



In 2022, the Alaska Supreme Court issued a series of summary orders invalidating proposed districts for the state senate as an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander under the Alaska Constitution.



On April 21, the Alaska Supreme Court published a landmark opinion in In the Matter of the 2021 Redistricting Case explaining its reasoning. The decision makes clear that partisan gerrymandering claims can be adjudicated by Alaska courts and establishes unequivocally that such discrimination offends equal protection under the Alaska Constitution.



This case adds to a growing number of state courts that have stepped up to provide recourse against gerrymandering. In addition to Alaska, state courts in Florida, Maryland, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have invalidated gerrymandered maps under their state constitutions in recent years. These cases fill a void left by the federal judiciary after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Rucho v. Common Cause that partisan gerrymandering claims were nonjusticiable "political questions" under the U.S. Constitution. 



BIPARTISANSHIP



AP <[link removed]>: Wisconsin lawmakers unveil bipartisan election overhauls



Wisconsin lawmakers unveiled bipartisan plans on Thursday to address problems that have disrupted how elections have been administered in the presidential battleground state since 2020. Among other changes, the proposals would prevent last-minute polling site closures, better protect election officials and enact stricter military voting requirements to deter fraud. The bills add to a growing list of proposals from a group of Democrats and Republicans focused on making the state’s elections safer and more secure. Their efforts stand in stark contrast to bills put forth by GOP lawmakers during the last legislative session that sought to limit local clerks’ power and make it harder to vote.



Axios <[link removed]>: Scoop: House centrist groups eye bipartisan policy partnership



Two groups whose membership accounts for nearly 1/3 of the House of Representatives have been quietly meeting to explore potential areas of bipartisan cooperation, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The combined muscle of the center-left New Democrat Coalition and center-right Republican Governance Group gives them greater leverage for joint initiatives than the 61-member Problem Solvers Caucus (formed by No Labels).



ETHICS



New York Times <[link removed]>: George Santos: An Accused Con Man Who Happened to Trade in Politics



For the entirety of his public life, Mr. Santos has been a man shrouded in myths. He cast himself as a self-made American success story, spinning audacious lies about university degrees, fast cars and vast wealth. And when that persona unraveled, fellow politicians and the media fixated on the idea that he was a criminal mastermind evading detection. The searing 13-count indictment unveiled by federal prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York on Wednesday cut through all of that. It cemented a story closer to "The Great Gatsby," "The Talented Mr. Ripley" or other mainstays of a popular subgenre of frauds that snakes like a corrupt seam through American life. 



Sign <[link removed]> the petition: It’s time for Santos to resign! 







Actions you can take right now to help make a difference!



WATCH <[link removed]>our newest advertisement, updated after the ousting of Tucker Carlson at Fox News! Share it with your friends!



SIGN <[link removed]>the petition demanding that Congressman Santos resigns in shame!



SHOP <[link removed]> our Country over Party yard sign!



BRING a friend to one of our events! Your unique recruiter link: [link removed]



Check out our Volunteer Working Groups!



As a grassroots coalition, Country First is dedicated to providing each member with the opportunity to contribute to the success of the movement. National Volunteer Working Groups (NVWG) are separated by interest and are aligned with one of Country First’s key pillars.



- Election Reform <[link removed]>

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- Mending Divisions <[link removed]>

- Inspiring Speakers Series <[link removed]>



<[link removed]>Get Involved <[link removed]>



<[link removed]>Support the Mission <[link removed]>



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