Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM

The long fight ahead and the community we need

The long fight ahead and the community we need Today’s note is going to be shorter than usual. I woke up this morning with an unshakable feeling that Donald Trump is winning. Yes, his poll numbers continue to hit new lows. His signature piece of legislation — the so-called “Big Beautiful…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM

Meet Blue, our new puppy and soon-to-be democracy's favorite dog!

Meet Blue, our new puppy and soon-to-be democracy's favorite dog! Bode bounded into my life in the summer of 2016 and stayed by my side until he passed away this spring. From the very beginning, we were inseparable. Before the pandemic, I brought him to the office and even to meetings on…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 28, 2025 at 4:03 PM

My conversation with Rick Wilson: Lincoln Project’s mission, the Epstein cover-up, and bothering Trump

My conversation with Rick Wilson: Lincoln Project’s mission, the Epstein cover-up, and bothering Trump Recently, I sat down with my good friend, Rick Wilson. Most of us know Rick from the Lincoln Project, where he’s proven himself to be one of the foremost experts at getting under Trump’…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM

Don’t fall for Trump’s red cape

Don’t fall for Donald Trump’s red cape Every Saturday, I highlight news that was overlooked, underreported, or buried in the hectic insanity of Trump’s America. However, today, I’m writing to you about something that the Trump administration is desperate to keep buried. Something Donald …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 26, 2025 at 10:01 PM

Trump took key steps into authoritarianism this week

Trump took key steps into authoritarianism this week From ordering and getting the indictment of a top foe to targeting left-wing nonprofits, Trump moved decisively into authoritarianism,  as he intensified his dangerous bid to wield the federal government for his own interests — includi…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 26, 2025 at 9:04 PM

Comey today. Who’s next tomorrow?

James Comey today. Who’s next tomorrow? Longtime followers of my work know that I am no fan of James Comey. I was the general counsel to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign when Comey twice placed his hand on the scale to swing the election against us. I found his behavior morally and legall…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Maine, Nebraska voters fight DOJ demand for confidential registration data 

Maine, Nebraska voters fight DOJ demand for confidential registration data Trump’s DOJ is ordering states across the country to hand over an enormous amount of private voter data. To stop states from complying, voters and advocates are fighting back in court. Friday, Septemb…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 25, 2025 at 10:02 PM

DOJ sues six states, escalating campaign to seize private voter data

DOJ sues six states, escalating campaign to seize private voter data The Department of Justice today sued six states — California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania — over their refusal to hand over sensitive voter registration data. Thursday, Sep…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 25, 2025 at 5:33 PM

This swamp creature will never back down

This swamp creature will never back down Donald Trump has called me a lot of names. In 2018, he called me Democrats’ “best election-stealing lawyer.” In 2022, he sued me for racketeering. Earlier this year, he told an audience at the Department of Justice that I was “bad… really bad,” as…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 24, 2025 at 11:32 PM

The world is laughing at us

The world is laughing at us In Hammerstein and Sondheim’s “The Sound of Music,” Captain Von Trapp bristles when the young telegraph delivery boy, Rolf, greets him with a Nazi salute. The moment is chilling: it is only months before the Anschluss, and Nazi sympathizers in Austria are begi…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 24, 2025 at 10:07 PM

Report: DOJ to indict James Comey

Report: DOJ to indict James Comey An indictment against the former FBI director would mark a dangerous escalation of Trump’s efforts to wield the Department of Justice against his perceived political enemies. Wednesday, September 24 View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM

2020 election skeptic appointed to key post at election officials group

2020 election skeptic appointed to key post at election officials group West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner (R), a 2020 election skeptic, was appointed to a key election administration post in the nonpartisan National Association of Secretaries of State. Wednesday, S…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Texas officially walks back justification for redistricting, throws DOJ under bus

Texas officially walks back justification for redistricting, throws DOJ under bus Texas Republicans are officially renouncing the rationale they used to justify their mid-decade redistricting effort as they get ready to defend their new gerrymander in court. Tuesday, Septembe…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 23, 2025 at 7:03 PM

Answering your questions: Constitutional crisis, GOP gerrymandering and more

Answering your questions: Constitutional crisis, gerrymandering and more Each week, I take time from my day job as a lawyer to answer your questions and keep you informed about the latest in the fight for democracy. If you have a question for me, make sure to submit it for the next editi…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 22, 2025 at 10:10 PM

Utah GOPers unveil audacious scheme to create new gerrymander

Utah GOPers unveil audacious scheme to create new gerrymander Utah Republicans saw their gerrymander blocked by a court. Now, they’ve unveiled a strikingly creative plan to give themselves a comfortable majority in every congressional district for the foreseeable future. Mond…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM

Trump’s MAGA mob is growing

Donald Trump’s MAGA mob is growing After months of denial, it has become undeniable that Donald Trump is weaponizing the government to attack his political opponents, silence his critics, and neutralize large institutions that might challenge him. Yet those of us who warned of this back …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM

My conversation with Beto O’Rourke: Democratic power, redistricting and turning Texas blue

My conversation with Beto O’Rourke: Democratic power, redistricting and turning Texas blue No one knows Texas better than former congressman Beto O’Rourke. With Texas in the news, I knew we had to chat. I sat down with Rep. O’Rourke to discuss redistricting in the state, how Democrats ca…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM

The crucible of 2020 and the birth of Democracy Docket

The crucible of 2020 and the birth of Democracy Docket Loyal readers of Democracy Docket know that I often point out the organization was founded in 2020. The other day, someone at Democracy Docket asked me why I always add that clarification. It was a good question — one that made me pa…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM

Republicans will silence us — here’s who to trust

Republicans will silence us — here’s who I trust I want you to pay attention to independent media and seek out news sources that you know you can trust. Here are a few of the independent media outlets that I trust. View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 19, 2025 at 10:08 PM

DOJ targets blue states in voter roll lawsuits 'driven by partisanship’

DOJ targets blue states in voter roll lawsuits 'driven by partisanship’ The Department of Justice is facing criticism after suing two Democratic chief election officials for refusing to hand over their states’ voter rolls, even while GOP officials have taken the same stance. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 19, 2025 at 4:17 PM

Legacy media will not protect us from Trump

Legacy media will not protect us from Donald Trump Each of us has a choice about what media we consume and who we support — with our attention, our subscriptions and our wallets. There is a small but vibrant independent media community poised to serve those committed to democracy. But it…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Maine tells the feds: “We won’t back down.”

Maine tells the feds: “We won’t back down.” The U.S. Department of Justice filed unprecedented lawsuits this week against Maine and Oregon to obtain private voter data. But the Maine Secretary of State isn’t intimidated. Friday, September 19 View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM

Democrats push to require fair maps

Democrats push to require fair maps More than a dozen congressional Democrats gathered near the Capitol steps to announce a new bill that would ban mid-decade redistricting and require states to adopt independent commissions to draw maps. Thursday, September 18 Vie…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 18, 2025 at 3:48 PM

Legacy media bows to Trump, but I never will

Legacy media bows to Trump, but I never will I’ve been shouting it from the rooftops for weeks: the legacy media is crumbling before our very eyes. Last night, I was tragically proven correct when ABC announced that it removed “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from the air indefinitely. …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Left-leaning nonprofits speak out against Trump’s crackdown threats

Left-leaning nonprofits speak out against Trump’s crackdown threats Over 100 left-leaning groups warned in a letter that the Trump administration’s recent threats to target progressive political activity in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder “undermine…democracy and harm all Americans.” …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM

Join me live tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET!

Join me live tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET! The Constitution has never faced greater strain than it does today. From court rulings that weaken voting rights to rising threats against our democratic institutions, the foundation of our democracy is at risk. View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM

Death by a thousand maps: Republican gerrymandering threatens democracy

Death by a thousand maps: Republican gerrymandering threatens democracy Political trends come and go, but for Donald Trump, election subversion is forever. This summer, a compliant media assured us that Trump’s signature legislative achievement — the budget reconciliation bill — would un…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 17, 2025 at 11:04 AM

 Cleta Mitchell’s ‘Super SAVE Act’

Cleta Mitchell’s ‘Super SAVE Act’ At a Tea Party Patriot’s rally last week to pressure the Senate to pass the SAVE Act, prominent anti-voting activist Cleta Mitchell called on Congress to pass a “Super SAVE Act,” that goes further to disenfranchise voters than the current version before …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 17, 2025 at 12:03 AM

A big win for Utah voters

A big win for Utah voters The Utah Supreme Court denied the state legislature’s request to keep its gerrymandered congressional map in place for upcoming elections. The decision likely ensures Utahns will have fair districts in 2026. Tuesday, September 16 View in b…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 16, 2025 at 11:32 PM

Answering your questions: Electoral College, National Guard and the rule of law’s future  

Answering your questions: The Electoral College, the National Guard and the Rule of Law’s Future Each week, I take time from my day job as a lawyer to answer your questions and keep you informed about the latest in the fight for democracy. If you have a question for me, make sure to subm…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 16, 2025 at 9:04 PM

Tomorrow: Join Rep. Raskin, Marc Elias and more for a Constitution Day panel

Join Rep. Raskin, Marc Elias and more for a Constitution Day panel The Constitution has never faced greater strain than it does today. From court rulings that weaken voting rights to rising threats against our democratic institutions, the foundation of our democracy is at risk. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM

Trump’s plan to use the state to crush dissent

Trump’s plan to use the state to crush dissent Ever since Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 election, I have warned that he would use every tool and level of government to target his political opponents. Eight days after he took the oath, I wrote that “across agencies and …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM

After Kirk murder, Trump and allies vow to ‘destroy’ progressive groups

After Kirk murder, Trump and allies vow to ‘destroy’ progressive groups In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder Trump and his allies are making clear they intend to “destroy” progressive groups. Monday, September 15 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM

JB Pritzker serves a Chicago TACO

JB Pritzker serves a Chicago TACO At the height of Trump’s tariff negotiations, Wall Street traders developed a new strategy to make money: assume that, despite the tough talk, whenever another country stood up to him, Trump always chickened out. The “TACO trade” became an instant hit a…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 14, 2025 at 4:03 PM

My conversation with Sen. Raphael Warnock: The strength of our democracy, voter suppression, and the heroes that inspired him

My conversation with Sen. Raphael Warnock: The strength of our democracy, voter suppression, and the heroes that inspired him Recently, I sat down with Senator Raphael Warnock for an interview. Senator Warnock is more than a member of Congress. He’s a pastor at the historic Ebenezer Bapt…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM

The capital is fighting back

The capital is fighting back I first came to Washington, D.C., for the summer of 1992 when I was still in law school. After graduating in 1993, I began my legal career at a law firm near Metro Center on 14th Street. Over time, I built a practice that was uniquely Washington, D.C. Represe…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Trump says he’ll deploy troops to Memphis next (but there are 8 wins in here, too!)

Trump says he’ll deploy troops to Memphis next (but there are 8 wins in here, too!) Trump said today he plans to send federal agents and deploy the National Guard to Memphis, Tenn. A top local official called the idea “anti-democratic and anti-American.” Friday, September 12 …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM

The Republican war on democracy grinds on

The Republican war on democracy grinds on It doesn’t matter if it’s a busy week or a slow week: the Republican voter suppression and election subversion war machine grinds on. Even as the nation faces the prospect of a government shutdown and the tragic results of increased political vio…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Missouri Republicans move ahead with latest GOP gerrymander

Missouri Republicans move ahead with latest GOP gerrymander Donald Trump’s plan to rig the 2026 election by redrawing congressional maps across the country made progress this week in the Show Me State. Friday, September 12 View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 11, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Trump, allies vow to go after political opponents in wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing

Trump, allies vow to go after political opponents in wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing In a taped address Wednesday night, Trump blamed “the radical left” for Charlie Kirk’s murder, and hinted at a coming crackdown on progressive political activity. Thursday, September 11 …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM

A long, hard week

A long, hard week There are weeks that feel longer than they are, and weeks when every single day is hard. This was a long, hard week. Once again, the specter of violence that hangs over our political discourse turned into a tragic reality. View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Cleta Mitchell calls on Congress to pass a ‘Super SAVE Act’

Cleta Mitchell calls on Congress to pass a ‘Super SAVE Act’ Anti-voting activist Cleta Mitchell told a sparse crowd at a Capitol Hill rally today that Congress should pass a “Super SAVE ACT” — a turbo-charged version of the massive voter suppression bill approved by the House earlier thi…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Anti-voting activists have ideas for how Trump can take control of elections

Anti-voting activists have ideas for how Trump can take control of elections Anti-voting lawyer and Trump ally Cleta Mitchell appeared on a conservative podcast last week, where she made a disturbing prediction: The president may declare a national emergency to allow him to take control …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Missouri House approves GOP gerrymander

Missouri House approves GOP gerrymander The Missouri House GOP approved Gov. Mike Kehoe’s (R) mid-decade gerrymander in a 90-65 vote Tuesday, sending the map to the state Senate for consideration. Tuesday, September 9 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM

 Q&A: Supreme Court, troops in cities, 2026 midterms 

Q&A: Supreme Court, troops in cities, 2026 midterms Donald Trump is sending soldiers into our cities, and the institutions we expect to protect us are failing. Republicans in Congress have become a rubber stamp. The ramifications of the Supreme Court’s ruling on immunity are being fe…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 8, 2025 at 10:02 PM

SCOTUS says it’s good with ICE’s racial profiling 

SCOTUS says it’s good with ICE’s racial profiling In another unsigned order, the justices said the Trump administration can resume immigration stops based on appearance, language, job and location. Monday, September 8 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 8, 2025 at 4:32 PM

I’m furious. You probably are too.

I’m furious. You probably are too. When I first started Democracy Docket, I made a promise that I would tell it like I see it and let the chips fall where they may. However, when it comes to my emotions, that hasn’t always been easy to sort out. In the last seven months alone, I’ve writt…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM

My conversation with Rep. Nicolle Wallace: Trump’s weakness, the media’s role, and how Democrats can fight back

My conversation with Rep. Nicolle Wallace: Trump’s weakness, the media’s role, and how Democrats can fight back Recently, I sat down with an ally in the fight for democracy, Nicolle Wallace, for a conversation. Nicolle and I chat a lot on her show, but there’s always more to discuss. We …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

September 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM

Jan. 6 will be July 4

Jan. 6 will be July 4 Jan. 6, 2021, was one of the darkest days in our history. Our country watched as rioters stormed the Capitol, crashing through the windows, scaling the walls and tearing through the sacred corridors of the historic building. View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

September 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Federal judges are fed up with SCOTUS

Federal judges are fed up with SCOTUS Lower court judges overseeing the avalanche of lawsuits against Trump’s power grab are increasingly voicing their frustrations with the Supreme Court’s gentle handling of the second Trump administration thus far. Friday, September 5 …

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