Trump — and the Big Lie — will stand trial

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Former President Trump and his coconspirators wanted to erase the votes of millions of Americans based on lies about a “stolen” election. Now he’s been indicted for his attempts to destroy our democracy. Among the laws Trump is charged with breaking is a foundational civil rights statute that was once used to prosecute the Ku Klux Klan for intimidating Black voters. In recent years, the law has been wielded to punish election subversion more broadly. It’s a powerful reminder of the legal tools we have available to protect the will of the people in the face of the still-active election denial movement that Trump and his allies unleashed.

The unprecedented indictment is the latest in a series of emphatic rejections of election denial. Judges, journalists, and voters have all agreed that the myth of widespread voter fraud is unquestionably false.

Partisan Extremists Target Democracy in Ohio

In a special election on August 8, Ohioans will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that takes aim at an essential form of direct democracy: citizen ballot initiatives. Why hold such an important vote at a time when turnout is notoriously low? The proposal appears to be part of a strategy by Ohio’s gerrymandered conservative legislature to block future efforts to pass popular ballot initiatives protecting abortion and voting rights. It’s up to voters to reject this brazen power grab and preserve their ability to check the legislature.

Inside the Voting Rights Act

Ohio voters’ fight to keep their political power continues a long-standing American struggle to defend voting rights, particularly for people of color who have historically been targeted by discriminatory restrictions. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 — passed 58 years ago this week — is among the key laws aimed at preventing attempts to limit the voting power of marginalized communities, but several Supreme Court decisions have weakened it over time. A new Brennan Center explainer details why the Voting Rights Act was enacted, what it does, and how to strengthen its protections in the future.

Protecting Scientific Integrity

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill last week that seeks to guard against political interference with the scientific research and data used by federal agencies. The legislation is timely, as the government’s fumbled response to the Covid-19 pandemic illustrated the far-reaching consequences of politicizing science in government decision-making. Passing the Scientific Integrity Act would be a welcome step toward strengthening evidence-based policymaking in the executive branch and would improve officials’ ability to address issues ranging from climate change to airborne carcinogens.

Safe Surveillance Reform

Congress is considering reforms to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to close a loophole that lets the government search Americans’ communications without a warrant. The controversial provision expires on December 31. The Biden administration claims a proposal to add a warrant requirement would endanger Americans, but the evidence shows this modest reform will better protect our privacy without risking public safety.