Dear John,
A core component of LDAD's work is to advocate for the principles and norms of democracy that are foundational to a society that respects the rule of law. Today, we share with you recent examples of this work, and a commitment to continue our efforts to protect democracy in the months and years ahead.
LDAD executive director Lauren Stiller Rikleen wrote about the failed FBI supplemental investigation into allegations of sexual assault that arose during Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearing. As detailed in a report issued by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse following a years-long investigation, the FBI did not conduct an unrestricted analysis as touted by former President Trump. It was, instead, a tightly controlled effort that failed to review possible corroborating leads and served only as an illusory cover for the slim majority of senators who voted to confirm the nominee to the Supreme Court. See: The Kavanaugh Investigation: A Preview of Autocracy Under Project 2025
Our executive director also wrote about ways in which traditional media outlets inexplicably continue to cover candidates who meet standards of normalcy differently than the candidate who has long defied them. Unbiased and nonpartisan coverage requires the media to step up to their responsibility to contribute to an informed electorate through the accurate reporting of facts. See: The Media is Normalizing the Abnormal
In a prior email, we shared an article in the Verdict by two outstanding LDAD volunteers who cautioned lawyers engaged in post-election legal challenges to be mindful of their obligations to their ethical duties and their oath. We are pleased to share that co-author Stephen Marcus was subsequently interviewed by CBC, Canada's largest Broadcasting Corporation, and their article was picked up by an additional publication.
We wish all of you a peaceful weekend and, for the nation, we hope for a peaceful election day and beyond.
Thank you for your dedication to maintaining our democracy. Please support our efforts by donating to LDAD and by sharing this email with your networks.
Lawyers Defending American Democracy
