Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM

Trump’s Epstein problem

Trump’s Epstein problem I don’t usually write to you on Sundays, and my news analysis is typically reserved for premium members, but  I am insisting on sending this to everyone given the subject and unique threat to democracy. What is happening is not normal. It is dangerous and should n…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 13, 2025 at 11:02 AM

My conversation with Joyce Vance: Abrego Garcia, due process, Louisiana congressional maps

My conversation with Joyce Vance: Abrego Garcia, due process, Louisiana congressional maps This week, I sat down with former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance for an interview. We talked about the implications of the Supreme Court’s recent decisions, the Trump administration’s threat to deport K…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM

It’s the states, stupid

It’s the states, stupid A defining feature of Donald Trump is that he demands attention. From outrage to stupidity to outright cruelty, he forces us to look at him the way a disaster prevents us from averting our eyes. Much has been written about the attention economy and how Trump makes…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 11, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Texas’ Trump-driven redistricting and a win for Maine voters

Texas’ Trump-driven redistricting and a win for Maine voters In justifying its decision to redistrict, Texas cited the DOJ’s claim that it used race in drawing its congressional map. That led civil rights groups challenging the map to charge in a new filing that state officials may have …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM

When all else fails, the GOP gerrymanders

When all else fails, the GOP gerrymanders We’re only six months into Donald Trump’s second term, and House Republicans are already panicking. They’ve hitched themselves to an unpopular president. They’ve supported deeply unpopular legislation. And most damning? They've proven unwilling t…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 11, 2025 at 11:02 AM

DOJ demands access to Minnesota’s voter rolls

DOJ demands access to Minnesota’s voter rolls The U.S. Department of Justice is demanding access to Minnesota’s voter rolls and proof of the state’s compliance with federal voting law, according to a letter obtained exclusively by Democracy Docket. Friday, July 11 …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Court records show Texas flipped its stance on issue of race in drawing maps

Court records show Texas flipped its stance on issue of race in drawing maps Texas said it plans to redraw its congressional map, citing a claim by the U.S. Department of Justice that the current map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. But court records reviewed by Democracy Docke…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM

EXCLUSIVE: Every anti-voting action taken by Trump’s DOJ

Pay attention to DOGE's new leader, not Elon's drama We've been tracking the U.S. Department of Justice's sharp 180 since President Trump returned to the White House. Instead of protecting voting access, it’s now pushing to tighten voting rules, and supporting voter suppression laws. Tha…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM

El Salvador undermines Trump’s legal defense

El Salvador undermines Trump’s legal defense El Salvador’s recent bombshell disclosure to the United Nations undermines a key position Justice Department lawyers have taken while defending the president’s Alien Enemies Act removals. And it contradicts what senior Trump officials have tol…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Judge halts part of Florida law attacking direct democracy 

Judge halts part of Florida law attacking direct democracy In a win for Florida voters, a federal court temporarily blocked parts of a new state law that makes it much harder for residents to put citizen-led initiatives on the ballot. Wednesday, July 9 View in brow…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 9, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Three GOP secretaries of state spoke at a conference of election deniers. They won’t tell us what they said.

Three GOP secretaries of state spoke at a conference of election deniers. They won’t tell us what they said. Three Republican secretaries of state spoke at a conference of election deniers and they won’t tell us what they said — that’s a huge problem. Also in this week’s Eye On The Right…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 8, 2025 at 10:04 PM

SCOTUS allows Trump to continue mass government layoffs

SCOTUS allows Trump to continue mass government layoffs The Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump to proceed with slashing the federal workforce through mass firings as part of an effort to transform the executive branch in his image. Tuesday, July 8 View in…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 8, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Republicans’ 2026 strategy 

Republicans’ 2026 strategy We are still 16 months away from the midterm elections, and Republicans are already spending millions of dollars to make voting more difficult. Their court filings explain — in clear terms — that their motivation in these cases is to disenfranchise Democrats. …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 7, 2025 at 10:03 PM

DOJ jumps on SCOTUS ruling to revive Trump's anti-voting order

DOJ jumps on SCOTUS ruling to revive Trump's anti-voting order After SCOTUS’ ruling banning universal injunctions, the DOJ argued a court should partially lift its block on the proof of citizenship requirement in Trump’s anti-voting order. Monday, July 7  View in b…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM

This July 4, kings were back in fashion 

This July 4, kings were back in fashion Publishing the Declaration of Independence was an act of radical defiance. If you look beyond the niceties of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” the Declaration is a harsh indictment of mistreatment under a dictatorship. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 6, 2025 at 11:02 AM

My conversation with Preet Bharara: DOJ, nationwide injunctions, checks and balances and more

My conversation with Preet Bharara: DOJ, nationwide injunctions, checks and balances and more This week, I sat down with Preet Bharara — former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York who was famously fired by Trump in his first term — live on Substack to talk about how membe…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 5, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Reading list: The RNC’s war on voting just went global

Reading list: The RNC’s war on voting just went global The RNC has moved its campaign against voting rights to target U.S. citizens living abroad. We are still more than a year away from the 2026 elections. This is just the beginning. View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 4, 2025 at 4:27 PM

Fools, cowards and the big ugly bill

Fools, cowards and the big ugly bill In a healthy democracy, leaders govern through persuasion. They make arguments and respond to critics. They observe norms and advance proposals through compromise and mutual respect. Friday, July 4 View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 4, 2025 at 11:03 AM

DOJ backs Wyoming’s proof of citizenship law

DOJ backs Wyoming’s proof of citizenship law Wyoming is defending its new law requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. Now they have the U.S. Department of Justice on their side. Friday, July 4 View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM

The big ugly bill vs. democracy

The big ugly bill vs. democracy Marc and Preet Bharara discuss the future of the rule of law, democracy, the Supreme Court, the big ugly budget bill and more. Thursday, July 3 View in browser The fight for…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 3, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Trump’s war on citizenship

Trump’s war on citizenship Trump is attempting to change who is, and who can become, an American. In keeping with this goal, the DOJ recently said it would prioritize a process called denaturalization, which involves stripping some Americans of their citizenship. Thursday, Ju…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 2, 2025 at 10:03 PM

DOJ backs Wyoming’s proof of citizenship law

DOJ backs Wyoming’s proof of citizenship law The DOJ defended Wyoming’s new law that requires proof of citizenship to register to vote. It’s the department’s latest move in support of restrictive voting rules around the country. Wednesday, July 2 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 2, 2025 at 7:45 PM

Join me live at 5 p.m. with JB Pritzker 

Join me live at 5 p.m. with JB Pritzker Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is sitting down with me live on Zoom — make sure to register now to secure your spot for this members-only event. View in browser Want a front ro…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 2, 2025 at 4:48 PM

CBS bends a knee. I never will.

CBS bends a knee. I never will. Earlier this year, I agreed to appear on 60 Minutes to stand up against Donald Trump’s targeting of law firms. As anchor Scott Pelley said, I was “the only lawyer the president has named who was willing to appear” on the show. View in brow…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 2, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Anti-voting activists have a plan to pass the SAVE Act

Anti-voting activists have a plan to pass the SAVE Act On a call with volunteers, the leader of an influential group of grassroots conservative activists laid out a plan for how to get the SAVE Act, the GOP’s monster voter suppression bill, through the Senate and onto Trump’s desk. Also …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 1, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Georgia Republicans quietly installing election conspiracy theorists on local boards 

Georgia Republicans quietly installing election conspiracy theorists on local boards Republicans are already laying the foundation for undermining a fair 2026 election in Georgia, where they’re working to install election conspiracy theorists on local boards. Tuesday, July 1…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 1, 2025 at 5:01 PM

30 years, one fight

30 years, one fight My first introduction to the U.S. Supreme Court was in 1996. I was 26 years old, a third-year associate, and I was asked to help draft an amicus brief for the Democratic Party. The Republican Party had brought a case to challenge the limits on how much political parti…

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  Ashley Cleaves, Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 1, 2025 at 11:04 AM

July preview: Voter ID, ballot challenges and more

July preview: Voter ID, ballot challenges and more At the beginning of each month, I will preview some of the cases we are watching with key dates and why they matter for democracy. In these challenging times, I hope to bring some clarity and insight to what’s happening on the docket. …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Republicans sue Arizona to block voting by some U.S. citizens

Republicans sue Arizona to block voting by some U.S. citizens The RNC is challenging yet another group of voters: U.S. citizens born abroad who vote in Arizona based on their parent’s registration in the state. Republicans said it’s part of their strategy to clean up voter rolls. …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 30, 2025 at 7:18 PM

[Correction] WEDNESDAY: Live Podcast with JB Pritzker and Marc Elias

[Correction] WEDNESDAY: Live Podcast with JB Pritzker and Marc Elias You won’t want to miss out — secure your spot to go behind the scenes with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias as they discuss Trump’s abuses of power, rising threats to elected officials a…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 30, 2025 at 7:06 PM

TOMORROW: Live Podcast with JB Pritzker and Marc Elias

TOMORROW: Live Podcast with JB Pritzker and Marc Elias You won’t want to miss out — secure your spot to go behind the scenes with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias as they discuss Trump’s abuses of power, rising threats to elected officials and what’s next…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM

The disappearing checks on Trump

The disappearing checks on Trump Still, it was the Supreme Court that captured most of my attention this weekend. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision limiting universal injunctions, a debate has erupted about exactly what this means, in practice, for democracy moving forward. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM

My conversation with Senator Schumer: 2026, Trump, SAVE Act and more

My conversation with Senator Schumer: 2026, Trump, SAVE Act and more This week, I sat down with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer for an interview. We talked about the Supreme Court’s decision on nationwide injunctions, how Trump’s ‘big, ugly betrayal’ bill will harm Americans, Schu…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 28, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Trump has destroyed the Justice Department’s independence 

Trump has destroyed the Justice Department’s independence In another era of American history, President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice would have been the subject of a major ongoing scandal. It’s almost too easy to evoke John Mitchell, the former Attorney General whose loyalty to P…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 27, 2025 at 10:02 PM

SCOTUS limits federal judges’ ability to block Trump power grab

SCOTUS limits federal judges’ ability to block Trump power grab A major U.S. Supreme Court ruling makes it much harder for courts to block President Donald Trump’s illegal executive actions. But it doesn’t allow him to proceed with ending birthright citizenship, as he falsely claimed. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM

What today’s SCOTUS decision and Citizens United have in common

What today’s SCOTUS decision and Citizens United have in common As our country has become more polarized, the end of the Supreme Court term is no longer just watched by lawyers with pending cases. It has become an event in the political calendar. And with attacks on democracy more freque…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 27, 2025 at 1:37 PM

A week of warnings

A week of warnings This was one of the busiest weeks for democracy since Donald Trump took office — and this is all before the Supreme Court issues its final, most anticipated six decisions of the term at 10 a.m. today. I’ll have more to say about that later today. Friday, Ju…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 27, 2025 at 11:04 AM

North Carolina voters face new stumbling block

North Carolina voters face new stumbling block Up to 100,000 voters could be disenfranchised as the North Carolina election board coordinates with the Department of Justice on a legal settlement. The plan raises major red flags, according to voting advocates who say neither side of the …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 26, 2025 at 10:03 PM

RNC intervenes in Wyoming proof of citizenship case

RNC intervenes in Wyoming proof of citizenship case The RNC wants to help Wyoming fight off a pro-voting lawsuit challenging the state’s proof of citizenship requirement for voters. Thursday, June 26 View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 26, 2025 at 8:47 PM

Live Podcast with JB Pritzker and Marc Elias — Join us on Wednesday

Live Podcast with JB Pritzker and Marc Elias — Join us on Wednesday With attacks on democracy intensifying, blue states like Illinois are stepping up and fighting back. Want to know how and what comes next? Wednesday, July 2 at 5 p.m. ET | Live on Zoom View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

June 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM

Why the Senate must reject Emil Bove for federal judge

Why the Senate must reject Emil Bove for federal judge A dangerous election denier is on track to be a federal judge. Emil Bove was Donald Trump’s personal lawyer and at the Department of Justice, he has served as Trump’s chief enforcer. Most importantly to Trump, Bove is also a true bel…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Trump’s DHS and ICE evading oversight

Trump’s DHS and ICE evading oversight A former Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney alleged in a whistleblower complaint that Emil Bove, a senior department official and one of Trump’s judicial nominees, suggested that the DOJ should tell courts “f*** you” and ignore their orders, while …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM

Bulletin Board: Resources to Get Involved

Bulletin Board: Resources to Get Involved At our members-only live Q&A this week, thousands of members filled the Zoom chat, sharing resources, dropping links to organizing opportunities, shouting out their favorite advocacy orgs to support and even sharing what books and blogs they …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM

DOJ sues every federal district judge in Maryland

DOJ sues every federal district judge in Maryland Trump's Department of Justice sued every federal district judge in Maryland to challenge a court order temporarily barring the government from carrying out some deportations. Wednesday, June 25 View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

June 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM

ICYMI: MAGA and election conspiracists cheer Trump’s call for prosecutor to probe 2020 election

ICYMI: MAGA and election conspiracists cheer Trump’s call for prosecutor to probe 2020 election After President Donald Trump called for a special prosecutor to look into the 2020 election, MAGA is foaming at the mouth. Everyone from Trump admin officials like Kari Lake to right-wing cons…

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