Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM

What the Epstein scandal means for 2026 

What the Epstein scandal means for 2026 We are now in the second week of Donald Trump’s self-inflicted crisis over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein Files. On Saturday, Trump took to Truth Social to express his anger in a gibberish-filled post. Now, the president who usually leads con…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 20, 2025 at 11:12 AM

My conversation with Eric Holder: Obama’s DOJ, Texas redistricting, Dem power and more

My conversation with Eric Holder: Obama’s DOJ, Texas redistricting, Dem power and more Recently, I sat down with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for an interview. We talked about the DOJ under Obama vs. Trump, Texas redistricting, Holder’s personal connection to Alabama, what De…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Red states are already suppressing your votes

Red states are already suppressing your votes Donald Trump’s sweeping anti-voting executive order may be facing roadblocks in the courts, but that’s certainly not stopping Republicans from implementing it in the states. Across the country, GOP lawmakers are attacking voting rights by ena…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 18, 2025 at 10:02 PM

All the states where DOJ is demanding voting data

All the states where DOJ is demanding voting data In recent months, the Department of Justice has been contacting red, blue, and purple states, demanding access to sensitive election and voting data. Friday, July 18 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM

Republicans want to gerrymander their gerrymanders

Republicans want to gerrymander their gerrymanders There is a national scandal brewing that could threaten the foundation of democracy — and no surprise here — Donald Trump stands in the middle of it. This week, it broke out into the open. Republicans know that they are in danger of losi…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM

GOP states are implementing Trump’s anti-voting order 

GOP states are implementing Trump’s anti-voting order Courts have blocked the sweeping order that would impose extensive restrictions on voters. But courts can only do so much – and now, red states are moving forward to enact the order on their own. Friday, July 18 …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM

North Carolina voter roll program could disenfranchise tens of thousands

North Carolina voter roll program could disenfranchise tens of thousands The North Carolina Board of Elections launched a new effort requiring over 100,000 voters to provide additional ID information or risk disenfranchisement. Thursday, July 17 View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Trump’s TikTok power grab

Trump’s TikTok power grab Trump has made several dubious broad claims of executive authority. But few have been as sweeping and alarming as his recent assertions related to TikTok. Recent letters show he believes he has monarchical powers to arbitrarily exempt companies from federal laws…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 16, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Senators want answers on use of DHS database to purge voters

Senators want answers on use of DHS database to purge voters Democratic senators pressed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for answers on the department’s expansion of a database that verifies voter citizenship to purge voters. Wednesday, July 16 …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 16, 2025 at 5:34 PM

Trump’s growing Epstein crisis

Trump’s growing Epstein crisis This much is clear: Donald Trump is in a full-scale panic. What started Saturday night with a long, rambling social media post has now turned into a full-blown crisis for him, his administration and the GOP. His effort to silence calls for the Department of…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 16, 2025 at 11:04 AM

Mike Lindell said he regularly meets with Trump to talk election conspiracies

Mike Lindell said he regularly meets with Trump to talk election conspiracies Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO and notorious election denier and conspiracy theorist, said some interesting things on a MAGA podcast this week about meeting regularly with President Donald Trump. Also in this w…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 15, 2025 at 10:07 PM

Democrats vow to fight Texas’ effort to rig elections

Democrats vow to fight Texas’ effort to rig elections National Democrats are exploring options to stop Texas Republicans' plan for a rare mid-decade redistricting. The White House pressured the state to redraw its maps to aid the party in retaining its slim House majority. Tu…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM

What keeps Ketanji Brown Jackson up at night

What keeps Ketanji Brown Jackson up at night This is traditionally the quiet season for the U.S. Supreme Court. With its term concluded, the Justices typically disperse across the country — and the globe — attending legal conferences, delivering lectures, teaching courses and engaging in…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

July 14, 2025 at 10:03 PM

SCOTUS lets Trump go ahead with gutting education department 

SCOTUS lets Trump go ahead with gutting education department The Supreme Court let the Trump administration go forward with mass layoffs at the Department of Education, lifting a lower court order blocking the department from eliminating around half of its workforce. Monday,…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

July 14, 2025 at 5:17 PM

Trump just revealed his hand with Epstein

Trump just revealed his hand with Epstein This weekend marked the first time since Jan. 6, 2021, that Trump lost control of the narrative propelling his political movement. His solution after the violent insurrection at the Capitol was to retreat from public view, regroup and rebuild. Ev…

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  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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