Democracy Docket’s Jen Rice is reporting live from El Paso, Texas, where over the next 10 days, a federal court will hear a challenge to the state’s new congressional map, which hands five new seats to the GOP.
Court challenge to Trump’s Texas gerrymander kicks off
Democracy Docket’s Jen Rice is reporting live from El Paso, Texas, where over the next 10 days, a federal court will hear a challenge to the state’s new congressional map, which hands five new seats to the GOP.
Pro-voting groups argue that the map, which was drawn after pressure from President Donald Trump, discriminates against Black and Latino Texans. You can follow Jen’s reporting from Texas on our site, and on our Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram pages.
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SCOTUS blocks Trump’s attempt to fire federal reserve governor, for now
The Supreme Court ruled that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can keep her job, finding that the Reserve's "uniquely structured, quasi-private entity" status bars presidential removal of governors. Cook will remain until January, when the court hears oral argument on Trump's effort to remove her.
Judge rules Sigal Chattah unlawfully served as Nevada’s U.S. Attorney
A federal judge ruled that Trump loyalist Sigal Chattah has been unlawfully serving as Nevada’s U.S. attorney since July. Chattah and her office are now barred from prosecuting cases — the second Trump-appointed U.S. attorney disqualified within two months after Alina Habba in New Jersey.
The news comes a day after a report that Chattah asked the FBI to probe debunked claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election.
A loss for South Carolina voters
A South Carolina court denied a voter's request for a temporary injunction to prevent the state from turning over voter data to the DOJ.
The court held that the state constitution’s “right to privacy” does not cover the sharing of data between state and federal authorities to secure elections. It also found that federal law likely requires the commission to provide the requested information — though that’s far from clear.
But a win for the voter falsely accused of fraud in “2000 Mules”
A federal judge ruled that the makers of "2000 Mules" defamed Georgia voter Mark Andrews by falsely accusing him of committing voter fraud in their film and book.
"Defendants admit that they never had any evidence that Andrews was paid to deposit any ballots or that he went to any drop box more than once; that he ever went to any non-profit to pick up ballots; or that he was ever at a violent riot," the ruling said. The case will next go to trial on the remaining claims.
‘Constitutional’ sheriffs have already shown us how the Trump administration might attempt to overthrow elections
Far-right sheriffs and election deniers are teaming up to police elections and sow doubt about their integrity. From seizing voting machines to patrolling ballot boxes, their past tactics offer a glimpse into how Trump could use them to subvert elections, Democracy Docket contributor Jessica Pishko writes.
Historian: Trump isn’t dumb
Trump is not as dumb as he looks. Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat joined Marc with a warning about Trump's next authoritarian moves.
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