Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM

10 years from that fateful escalator 

10 years from that fateful escalator As Donald Trump came down the escalator in Trump Tower in Manhattan, I was only blocks away at the makeshift offices of the nascent Clinton campaign. My immediate reaction was that Trump was a buffoon. I had grown up in New York and was familiar with …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 15, 2025 at 11:03 AM

My conversation with Leah Litman: SCOTUS, Big Law, Dems’ Joe Rogan and more

My conversation with Leah Litman: SCOTUS, Big Law, the media and more This week, I sat down with Leah Litman — law professor at the University of Michigan and co-host of the popular Supreme Court podcast, Strict Scrutiny — for an interview on our YouTube channel. We talked about her excl…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Weekend reading list: Trying something new

Weekend reading list: Trying something new A year ago I started sending premium members a weekly Saturday reading list. Each week I tried to give them a sense of what stories I was reading that might not be garnering the most attention in the legacy media. From time to time, I offered su…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 13, 2025 at 10:03 PM

What to know about Saturday’s “No Kings Day” protests

What to know about Saturday’s “No Kings Day” protests Millions will rally nationwide tomorrow for "No Kings Day" to protest Trump’s authoritarian agenda. The ACLU told Democracy Docket that the demonstrations are about "sending a strong message that we are going to have a free and fair d…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM

A different constitutional crisis has arrived

A different constitutional crisis has arrived Ever since Donald Trump took the Oath of Office, we have been bracing for a full-blown constitutional crisis. Like many of you, my focus has been on the courts. With each passing court ruling, I have waited with bated breath to see if Trump w…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 13, 2025 at 11:03 AM

California challenges Trump’s authoritarian military use

California challenges Trump’s authoritarian military use Los Angelenos are continuing to protest arrests made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even as President Donald Trump escalates the conflict by sending in California National Guard troops and U.S. Marines. Fr…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 12, 2025 at 11:31 PM

I warned you then and we’re doubling down now

I warned you then and we’re doubling down now In 2020, when I told people that I was building a pro-democracy media outlet, people thought I was kidding. Donald Trump was entering the last year of his first term. COVID was not yet a pandemic. Joe Biden was in the process of securing the…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM

SCOOP: DHS said to brief Cleta Mitchell’s group on citizenship checks for voting

SCOOP: DHS said to brief Cleta Mitchell’s group on citizenship checks for voting A senior official at the Department of Homeland Security held a briefing for a far-right anti-voting group today, according to an email sent by the group. Thursday, June 12 View in bro…

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June 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM

Trump’s pouring ‘fuel on the fire’

Trump’s pouring ‘fuel on the fire’ By federalizing the California National Guard in response to protests, Trump is asserting broad powers that could be used against any state over the objections of governors, legal scholars and national security experts told Democracy Docket. …

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June 11, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Democratic member of Congress indicted over ICE confrontation

Democratic member of Congress indicted over ICE confrontation Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) was indicted by a federal grand jury for confronting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during a May oversight visit. She’s accused of “forcibly impeding” federal agents, a charge carrying…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 11, 2025 at 8:23 PM

Newsom is just the latest target out of Trump’s DOJ

Newsom is just the latest target out of Trump’s DOJ Shortly before the 2024 election, Donald Trump threatened lawyers like me with criminal prosecution. Our crime? Working for Democrats and protecting voting rights. This was not exactly new, but it was an escalation. Several months earli…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 11, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Election deniers are trying to impeach Michigan’s secretary of state

Election deniers are trying to impeach Michigan’s secretary of state Michigan Republican lawmakers introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) earlier this month alleging “corrupt conduct in office” and “crimes and misdemeanors.” That sounds like seri…

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June 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Judge lets Trump use military in California — for now

Judge lets Trump use military in California — for now California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) asked a federal court to issue an emergency order blocking Trump from using the state’s National Guard troops and Marines to aid in Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles. …

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June 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM

California suing Trump over federalizing National Guard

California suing Trump over federalizing National Guard California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state will sue Trump for sending at least 300 National Guard troops to Los Angeles protests against ICE raids — the first such deployment without gubernatorial consent since 1965. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 9, 2025 at 4:32 PM

The Weekend: Trump & Musk & the Supreme Court, oh my!

The Weekend: Trump & Musk & the Supreme Court, oh my! Donald Trump had a busy weekend. He warned Elon Musk against supporting Democrats in 2026, deployed 2,000 members of the California National Guard to Los Angeles and rolled tanks into Washington D.C., for an authoritarian-styl…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 6, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Supreme Court allows DOGE to proceed with accessing social security data

Supreme Court allows DOGE to proceed with accessing social security data The U.S. Supreme Court gave the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) a green light to access millions of Americans’ most sensitive data. The unsigned 6-3 decision granted the Trump administration’s emergency r…

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June 6, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Minority voters fight gerrymandered map in Tarrant County

Minority voters fight gerrymandered map in Tarrant County Voters are suing Tarrant County Republican officials for approving a redistricting map designed to cut minority voting power. Friday, June 6 View in browser …

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June 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Judge says Trump admin must allow challenges to El Salvador removals

Judge says Trump admin must allow challenges to El Salvador removals Separately, a coalition of immigrants rights organizations and criminal defense lawyers sued to block the Trump administration from paying El Salvador to imprison the hundreds of removed Venezuelan migrants. …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM

Pay attention to DOGE's new leader, not Elon's drama

Pay attention to DOGE's new leader, not Elon's drama Elon Musk left DOGE to start drama, but the department will continue to wreak havoc on millions of Americans with its new successor, Russell Vought, who Democracy Docket dug into this week. Thursday, June 5 View …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 5, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Meet Russell Vought, the new face of DOGE

Meet Russell Vought, the new face of DOGE Though Elon Musk is leaving the White House, DOGE isn’t going anywhere. It appears that a key architect of Project 2025 is stepping in to become the faux agency’s new power broker. Thursday, June 5 View in browser …

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June 4, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Minority voters allege racial gerrymandering in Tarrant County, Texas

Minority voters allege racial gerrymandering in Tarrant County, Texas Tarrant County, Texas GOP officials teamed up with a leading anti-voting group and the national party’s top redistricting strategist on a gerrymander that reduces the power of minority voters. In response, a group of m…

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June 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM

NEW: How national Republicans helped gerrymander maps in Tarrant County, Texas

NEW: How national Republicans helped gerrymander maps in Tarrant County, Texas Today at Democracy Docket, we’re publishing a package on a story you likely haven’t heard a lot about from the national media. The Republicans who run Tarrant County, Texas, have passed a new gerrymandered dis…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 4, 2025 at 11:03 AM

A prominent Arizona election denier says he briefed the White House on election integrity

A prominent Arizona election denier says he briefed the White House on election integrity Seth Keshel, a former Army intelligence captain who has promoted some of the most outlandish false conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, wrote that he was recently invited to the White House …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 3, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Musk left the White House. What does that mean for DOGE?

Musk left the White House. What does that mean for DOGE? After spending around nearly $300M to help get Trump elected, billionaire Elon Musk’s tumultuous time in the government has come to an end. But the numerous lawsuits hailed against him and DOGE  over the last 130 days may not be go…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 3, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Don’t be fooled by Trump’s alleged break with the Federalist Society

Don’t be fooled by Trump’s alleged break with the Federalist Society The sudden falling out between Donald Trump and the Federalist Society is a ruse. Don’t be fooled. Trump is doing what he always does: creating a permission structure within the GOP to seize power and undermine the rule…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 2, 2025 at 10:02 PM

DOJ’s new top voting lawyer worked for leading anti-voting law firm

DOJ’s new top voting lawyer worked for leading anti-voting law firm The DOJ's new top voting lawyer previously worked for an anti-voting legal group and has appeared with the prominent election denier Cleta Mitchell, according to a Democracy Docket exclusive. The appointment highlights t…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM

A short weekend ahead of a long week

A short weekend ahead of a long week Recently, weeks have inverted in the legal world. The days have been steady, even sometimes quiet. Then, on Friday afternoon, we received a torrent of court opinions and orders. Even the administration has been at its most outrageous heading into and …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 1, 2025 at 1:01 PM

The Department of Injustice

The Department of Injustice The Department of Justice no longer represents the best interests of the American people. Under Bondi, it has been transformed into little more than a cog in the authoritarian machine doing Donald Trump’s bidding. It has abandoned independent judgment and feal…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

May 31, 2025 at 11:03 AM

The end of Elon’s government inefficiency

The end of Elon’s government inefficiency Elon Musk came into the administration with a bang and left four months later with barely a whimper. His mission, on paper, was to make the government better and more responsive. He failed on both fronts. In the end, there was nothing efficient a…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

May 30, 2025 at 10:02 PM

The fight for a pro-democracy agenda continues

The fight for a pro-democracy agenda continues Trump is a grave threat to our freedom and the rule of law. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) sat down with Marc to discuss the GOP’s threat to his district, the importance of passing the SAFE Act, and how to expand our pro-democracy agenda. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

May 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM

DOJ doesn’t win anymore

DOJ doesn’t win anymore Trump’s Department of Justice is floundering. We knew that Trump and his DOJ were losing a lot of cases in court, but the actual numbers are still shocking. According to Adam Bonica, a professor of political science at Stanford, the administration lost 96% of ruli…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

May 30, 2025 at 11:09 AM

The GOP targets North Carolina

The GOP targets North Carolina Some alarming cases signal Republicans are laying the groundwork to undermine future elections in North Carolina. Friday, May 30 View in browser For $2.50/week, unlock the ki…

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May 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Trump’s stunning streak of losses

Trump’s stunning streak of losses The Trump administration has lost a shocking 96% of rulings in federal district courts so far this month, a new analysis shows. The rulings against the president came from judges across the ideological spectrum. Thursday, May 29 Vi…

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May 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM

SCOTUS set to gift Trump even more power

SCOTUS set to gift Trump even more power In allowing the president to fire two members of independent federal boards, the Supreme Court’s GOP-appointed majority signaled it intends to hollow out a 90-year-old precedent that protects independent agencies from control by the White House. …

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May 28, 2025 at 10:01 PM

Judge says Musk must face lawsuit over his role in DOGE

Judge says Musk must face lawsuit over his role in DOGE A federal judge greenlit lawsuits challenging Elon Musk’s position in the federal government and DOGE as unconstitutional, finding that the faux-agency’s efforts to slash the government likely violate the Constitution. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

May 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM

JD Vance and the gospel of unchecked power

JD Vance and the gospel of unchecked power JD Vance is a lot of things: Donald Trump’s loyal lap dog, an observant Catholic and a Yale-trained lawyer. During his recent interview with the conservative columnist Ross Douthat, the vice president made clear those are in descending order of …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

May 28, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Ed Martin was too extreme for GOP senators. Now he’s at DOJ, targeting Trump’s enemies

Ed Martin was too extreme for GOP senators. Now he’s at DOJ, targeting Trump’s enemies Ed Martin, Jr. — President Donald Trump’s original nominee for U.S. Attorney for D.C., was too extreme to get through the GOP-controlled Senate. So now, Martin is at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ…

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May 27, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Judge rips Trump administration over failure to give deportees due process

Judge rips Trump administration over failure to give deportees due process A judge criticized Trump's “mischaracterization” of his order blocking the deportation of men to South Sudan, saying the administration is “manufacturing the very chaos they decry.” View in browse…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

May 27, 2025 at 3:02 PM

“Never wrestle with pigs”

“Never wrestle with pigs” It has been two months since Brad Karp, the Chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, sent an email to his law firm explaining his reasoning for capitulating to Donald Trump’s demands. Someday, universities will devote entire business and law cla…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

May 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM

In memory of Bode: The best dog ever

In memory of Bode: The best dog ever My loyal companion Bode passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from canine lymphoma — just one month shy of his ninth birthday. I know everyone thinks their dog is the best but Bode truly was the best dog ever. View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

May 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM

The media’s original sin

The media’s original sin One of the remnants of having grown up in New York in the 1980s is my continued addiction to reading the New York Post. Yes, it’s a tabloid. Yes, it has become a purveyor of right-wing propaganda. But reading it remains part of my daily routine. V…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

May 23, 2025 at 10:02 PM

DOJ accelerates hunt for voter fraud — with help from DOGE

DOJ accelerates hunt for voter fraud — with help from DOGE In a recent appearance on a right-wing podcast, Antonio Cracias, a billionaire investor and a top ally of Elon Musk, said the DOJ asked DOGE to find “10-20 cases” of alleged noncitizen voting in every state. View …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

May 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM

This week’s monsters and morons

This week’s monsters and morons Earlier this week, I found myself repeatedly asking whether Trump and his enablers were diabolically evil or just unbelievably ignorant and stupid. As I end the week, I am left wondering if it even matters. View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

May 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Florida’s fight over direct democracy

Dismantling the DOJ Voters are suing to stop a Florida law that makes it harder to participate in the  ballot initiative process. View in browser Friday, May 23 The mainstream press plays both sides — we play on …

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May 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Federal judge blocks Trump bid to dissolve Education Department

Federal judge blocks Trump bid to dissolve Education Department In a rebuke to President Donald Trump’s plan to shut down the U.S. Department of Education, a federal judge blocked the illegal attempt to bypass Congress and strip away critical services for students across the country. …

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May 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM

Trump’s DOJ gearing up to prosecute political opponents

Trump’s DOJ gearing up to prosecute political opponents A dangerous new Justice Department proposal would scrap long-standing rules to prevent political prosecutions of candidates and other political figures — furthering Trump’s bid to turn the DOJ into a tool of retribution. …

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May 21, 2025 at 10:41 PM

New Republican target: Mail ballot grace periods

New Republican target: Mail ballot grace periods Trump and the GOP have launched a new offensive in their long-running war on voting. Their latest target? Ballots that were postmarked by Election Day, but arrive after. View in browser …

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May 21, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Listen: Election denier Tina Peters shares conspiracies in voicemail from prison

Listen: Election denier Tina Peters shares conspiracies in voicemail from prison When former Mesa County clerk-turned-MAGA-hero Tina Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison by Colorado District Judge Matthew Barrett last October, he had some harsh words for her. “Your lies are well d…

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May 20, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Trump administration charges congresswoman over ICE oversight visit

Trump administration charges congresswoman over ICE oversight visit Federal prosecutors announced charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) over a clash between lawmakers and ICE agents at a detention center near Newark earlier this month. View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

May 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM

The political prosecution of Rep. McIver is just the beginning

The political prosecution of Rep. McIver is just the beginning The weaponization of our government has officially begun. Ever since he won the 2024 election, I have predicted that it was only a matter of time before Donald Trump used the full powers of the federal government to target his…

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