Friday, September 12

THIS WEEK

Missouri Republicans move ahead with latest GOP gerrymander
Federal judge blocks Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Court approves DOJ settlement with North Carolina elections board

REDISTRICTING

Missouri Republicans move ahead with latest GOP gerrymander

President Donald Trump’s plan to rig the 2026 election by redrawing congressional maps across the country made progress this week in Missouri, where the GOP-controlled House approved a new gerrymandered map and sent it to the Senate, despite scathing criticism from Missouri Democrats.

“The Missouri GOP is aiding and abetting the systematic destruction of our democracy by an authoritarian regime led by a geriatric con man who knows the only way he can win is to cheat,” State Rep. Ashley Aune (D) declared.

Now Democrats are talking about using a different strategy to block the map — a “citizen’s veto” in which they would gather signatures to put a measure on the ballot repealing the map, then campaign for voters to pass it.

With their mid-decade gerrymander, Missouri Republicans are following the lead of their allies in Texas, who last month delivered on Trump’s request for a map that could give the GOP five more seats in Congress. Minority voters and voting advocates are preparing to fight the map in court. With a ten-day hearing on the Texas gerrymander coming up Oct. 1 in El Paso, Democracy Docket took a close look this week at how the GOP rigged the new map. Read more about the latest redistricting news here.

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FEDERAL COURTS

Judge blocks Trump’s attempt to fire Lisa Cook

After Trump attempted to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her post, a federal judge this week issued a preliminary injunction ordering that she remain in her position while the case proceeds. Trump has appealed the ruling.

The significance of Trump’s move can’t be overstated: it’s the first time in the Federal Reserve’s 111-year history that a president has tried to fire a sitting governor. Under federal law, Fed governors may only be removed “for cause,” a safeguard meant to shield the central bank from partisan interference.

Trump is accusing Cook of mortgage fraud and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a criminal investigation. Unsurprisingly, the DOJ does not appear to be investigating Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who claimed three houses as his primary residence, according to an Associated Press review of public records.

Cook has never been charged with any crime and denies wrongdoing. Read more about the case here.

VOTER SUPPRESSION

Court approves DOJ agreement with North Carolina elections board

A court approved an agreement Monday between the DOJ and the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) that could disenfranchise thousands of voters in state and local elections.

The DOJ sued North Carolina in May to force tens of thousands of voters to provide more identifications or face disenfranchisement. The NCSBE was happy to comply – the GOP had seized control of the board earlier that month.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and pro-voting groups intervened to defend the voters who could be disenfranchised by the lawsuit.

Under the agreement, voters who did not provide certain identifying information when they registered – and who don’t provide the required information in response to mailings from the board – would have to cast a provisional ballot in state and local elections. That ballot wouldn’t be counted unless they follow up with the information soon after voting. Read more about the North Carolina lawsuit here.

OPINION

Last Call for Democracy Now Boarding

Trump’s desire to take over Washington, D.C.’s Union Station is part of a long history of authoritarianism and controlling railway networks – and it could spread to other U.S. cities, Marc wrote in his latest piece for Democracy Docket.

“We are already living this reality. The soldiers are outside our windows. They are already patrolling Union Station, and they’re coming for your city next. So, don’t dismiss this as a conspiracy theory. Don’t laugh it off as Trump wanting to see his name on another building. Don’t ignore the reality they’re shoving in our faces,” he said. Read more of Marc’s warning here.

NEW EPISODE

Stop Pretending Like Trump Is Normal | Brian Tyler Cohen

Brian Tyler Cohen joins Marc to reveal why the right-wing media machine is so effective, what Democrats still don’t understand about influencers, and how social media will decide the 2028 elections. Watch it on YouTube here.

What We’re Doing

Join Marc for a livestreamed fundraiser Tuesday to help support the California redistricting ballot measure. Republicans have filed multiple lawsuits to stop California voters from getting a chance to weigh in on a new congressional map designed to counter the GOP’s Texas gerrymander. The fight could get expensive – and the stakes are high. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PT / 7:30 p.m. ET.