Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that champions the public interest – your interests – in the halls of power.

50+ Messages / Page

  Public Citizen · [email protected]
October 10, 2024 at 7:51 PM

what do you want to happen?

Some days, it feels like the bad news overshadows the good. The very foundations of our society are at risk as authoritarian forces push blatantly anti-democratic measures and threaten outright political violence in the naked pursuit of power. Greed, profiteering, and myopic mismanagement on the …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
October 9, 2024 at 5:54 PM

just one of the damning details

“It doesn’t matter if you won or lost. You still have to fight like hell.” That’s what Donald Trump reportedly said — to his wife, his daughter Ivanka, and his son-in-law — sometime after the 2020 election. Let that sink in. Trump was admitting that he would attempt to remain in power even if …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
October 8, 2024 at 7:34 PM

letting Trump get away with it

“It doesn’t matter if you won or lost. You still have to fight like hell.” That’s what Donald Trump reportedly said — to his wife, his daughter Ivanka, and his son-in-law — sometime after the 2020 election. Let that sink in. Trump was admitting that he would attempt to remain in power even if …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 30, 2024 at 11:22 PM

somebody stole our time machine

This is gonna be close. We need another 174 donations before midnight. That’s just a few hours from now. And donations have dropped off precipitously. Also, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stole our time machine. We’re pretty sure it was her. Of course, without a time machine, we can’t go back a…
  Lisa · [email protected]
September 30, 2024 at 8:28 PM

update

Hey there, just wanted to share a quick update. The numbers don’t look great so far, actually. On this day last year, we had 771 donations come through in response to our emails about Public Citizen’s critical September 30 fundraising deadline. So far today we’re at 214. And tonight’s midnigh…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 30, 2024 at 5:47 PM

'you all deserve a bullet'

We get a lot of hate mail at Public Citizen. Here are just a few examples: “I will kill you without remorse.” “We will eradicate scum like Public Citizen.” “I would rip you apart limb from limb if given the chance.” “You should die slowly, in horrible pain.” “We hope and pray you die.” “You all …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 30, 2024 at 3:05 PM

taking another kind of action

You’ve signed petitions and sent messages to President Biden and other administration officials, the United States Senate and House of Representatives, individual members of Congress, governors (of both red and blue states), and various multinational corporations and their CEOs. Now we’re asking…
  Office of the President of Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 29, 2024 at 11:40 PM

this campaign

We are just one day from the make-or-break deadline in this critical fundraising campaign. How things go between now and midnight tomorrow will directly impact how aggressive Public Citizen can be over the next twelve months. That includes all our work to confront authoritarianism, protect voti…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 29, 2024 at 8:30 PM

'rip you apart limb from limb'

My thanks to everyone who donated in response to my earlier note — copied below in case you missed it — about the hate mail that pours into Public Citizen headquarters. Of course we wish we didn’t have to face comments like these and the threats implicit in them. But we do. And we’re not going…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 29, 2024 at 4:10 PM

so much hate mail

We get a lot of hate mail at Public Citizen. Here are just a few examples: “I will kill you without remorse.” “We will eradicate scum like Public Citizen.” “I would rip you apart limb from limb if given the chance.” “You should die slowly, in horrible pain.” “We hope and pray you die.” “You all …
  Robert · [email protected]
September 28, 2024 at 9:22 PM

only if it’s right for you right now

One year ago today, we got 389 donations in response to our emails about this make-or-break September fundraising deadline. So far today we’re at 88. I know not everyone can donate. And I know there are many groups and causes worthy of support. But if a contribution is right for you right now,…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 28, 2024 at 5:35 PM

confront authoritarianism, protect voting rights, ensure election integrity, and defend democracy

Please take a minute to read through this update. We are just days from a make-or-break deadline. How things go over the next few days will directly impact how aggressive Public Citizen can be over the next twelve months. That includes all our work to confront authoritarianism, protect voting …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 26, 2024 at 5:53 PM

this is not supposed to be easy

The U.S. Senate held a hearing Tuesday on the Supreme Court’s profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case. Here’s how Senator Dick Durbin, chair of the Judiciary Committee, summed up the ruling: “Most of the conduct at the heart of [the] Watergate scandal — the obstruction of ju…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 25, 2024 at 6:03 PM

a forgotten footnote in American history

The U.S. Senate held a hearing yesterday on the Supreme Court’s profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case. Here’s how Senator Dick Durbin, chair of the Judiciary Committee, summed up the ruling: “Most of the conduct at the heart of [the] Watergate scandal — the obstruction of …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 24, 2024 at 10:29 PM

Richard Nixon would be immune today

The U.S. Senate held a hearing today on the Supreme Court’s profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case. Here’s how Senator Dick Durbin, chair of the Judiciary Committee, summed up the ruling: “Most of the conduct at the heart of [the] Watergate scandal — the obstruction of just…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 23, 2024 at 5:31 PM

obscene spending to corrupt elections

What types of businesses come to mind when you think about corporate money in politics? Big Oil? Big Pharma? Wall Street? Big Tech? All true. But a newcomer is putting those veterans to shame when it comes to the obscene amounts of money Corporate America spends corrupting our elections. As…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 22, 2024 at 9:29 PM

a supernova that burns everything to ash

What types of businesses come to mind when you think about corporate money in politics? Big Oil? Big Pharma? Wall Street? Big Tech? All true. But a newcomer is putting those veterans to shame when it comes to the obscene amounts of money Corporate America spends corrupting our elections. As…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 19, 2024 at 7:05 PM

phantom riches corrupting our elections

What types of businesses come to mind when you think about corporate money in politics? Big Oil? Big Pharma? Wall Street? Big Tech? All true. But a newcomer is putting those veterans to shame when it comes to the obscene amounts of money Corporate America spends corrupting our elections. As…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 18, 2024 at 5:45 PM

the only winner is chaos

Last week, pop megastar Taylor Swift — in a post endorsing Kamala Harris for president — said this: “Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinfor…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 17, 2024 at 7:47 PM

Taylor Swift and the threat of artificial intelligence in elections

Last week, pop megastar Taylor Swift — in a post endorsing Kamala Harris for president — said this: “Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinfor…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 16, 2024 at 5:19 PM

Donald Trump's infatuation with Elon Musk

Last month, Elon Musk — the richest person on Earth — told Donald Trump about his idea for a “government efficiency commission” to see if taxpayer money was being “spent in a good way.” A few weeks later, Trump announced that if he becomes president again, he will create exactly such a commissio…
  Lisa · [email protected]
September 13, 2024 at 6:06 PM

more on the debate

Kamala Harris had a dire warning for the American people during Tuesday night’s debate. “The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that the former president would essentially be immune from any misconduct if he were to enter the White House again. ... Understand what it would mean if Donald…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 12, 2024 at 6:04 PM

we have to overturn this ruling

Kamala Harris had a dire warning for the American people during Tuesday night’s debate. “The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that the former president would essentially be immune from any misconduct if he were to enter the White House again. ... Understand what it would mean if Donald…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 12, 2024 at 4:12 PM

Expose the last hidden piece of Project 2025

We need to expose the last hidden piece of Project 2025. Here’s what you need to know, and how you can make a difference: By now, many people have heard of Project 2025 — the plan from the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, that outlines a set of far-right policy proposals designed…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 11, 2024 at 7:24 PM

a dire warning

Kamala Harris had a dire warning for the American people during last night’s debate. “The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that the former president would essentially be immune from any misconduct if he were to enter the White House again. ... Understand what it would mean if Donald Tr…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 10, 2024 at 6:16 PM

Republicans are trying to force this anti-voter law through Congress

Republicans in Congress are trying to force through an anti-immigrant, anti-democratic voter suppression bill. And they are threatening to blow up the entire federal budget — which must pass by the end of September to avert a government shutdown — in a pathetic gamble to pass their obnoxious bil…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 9, 2024 at 6:57 PM

Elon and Donald

In August, Elon Musk — the richest person on Earth — told Donald Trump about his idea for a “government efficiency commission” to see if taxpayer money was being “spent in a good way.” Last Thursday, Trump announced that if he becomes president again, he will create exactly such a commission and…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 8, 2024 at 9:33 PM

sweeping power to break the law

On July 1, the Supreme Court issued its profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case, in effect giving U.S. presidents sweeping power to break the law with impunity — the kind of power heretofore associated with foreign despots, dictators, and kings. On July 25, Public Citizen ann…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 6, 2024 at 5:08 PM

overturn Supreme Court’s absurd immunity ruling

On July 1, the Supreme Court issued its profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case, in effect giving U.S. presidents sweeping power to break the law with impunity — the kind of power heretofore associated with foreign despots, dictators, and kings. On July 25, Public Citizen ann…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 5, 2024 at 6:07 PM

flagrantly discriminatory

Did you hear how Ken Paxton, the MAGA Attorney General of Texas, celebrated Labor Day? On Monday, Paxton threatened lawsuits against two Texas counties — Bexar County and Harris County — over plans to mail voter registration forms to eligible but unregistered voters. The two counties Paxton singl…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
September 4, 2024 at 7:01 PM

racist voter disenfranchisement

Did you hear how Ken Paxton, the MAGA Attorney General of Texas, celebrated Labor Day? On Monday, Paxton threatened lawsuits against two Texas counties — Bexar County and Harris County — over plans to mail voter registration forms to eligible but unregistered voters. The two counties Paxton singl…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 30, 2024 at 6:09 PM

democracy can't be saved with good ideas, hard work, and a never-give-up attitude alone

A quick timeline: July 1 The Supreme Court issues its profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case, in effect giving U.S. presidents sweeping power to break the law with impunity — the kind of power heretofore associated with foreign despots, dictators, and kings. July 25 Public …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 29, 2024 at 6:41 PM

overturn Trump immunity ruling

A quick timeline: July 1 The Supreme Court issues its profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case, in effect giving U.S. presidents sweeping power to break the law with impunity — the kind of power heretofore associated with foreign despots, dictators, and kings. July 25 Public …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 28, 2024 at 4:54 PM

shirking its duty to safeguard our democracy

We have one day. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is meeting tomorrow. And we’re hearing that the FEC may reject our formal petition that it take action to prevent political deepfakes from undermining the 2024 election. This may well be our last chance to stop the FEC from shirking its du…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 27, 2024 at 6:42 PM

deepfakes, democracy, and Taylor Swift

We have two days. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is meeting this Thursday. And we’re hearing that the FEC may reject our formal petition that it take action to prevent political deepfakes from undermining the 2024 election. This may well be our last chance to stop the FEC from shirking …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 26, 2024 at 6:23 PM

this is really happening

A quick timeline: July 1 The Supreme Court issues its profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case, in effect giving U.S. presidents sweeping power to break the law with impunity — the kind of power heretofore associated with foreign despots, dictators, and kings. July 25 Public …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 24, 2024 at 6:31 PM

Taylor Swift and Donald Trump

Last weekend, Donald Trump posted deepfakes online that appeared to show pop music superstar Taylor Swift and her fans endorsing him for president. What are “deepfakes”? Deepfakes are sounds, images, or videos generated using so-called “artificial intelligence” (AI). This is not science fiction …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM

it's not supposed to be easy

By now you’ve likely heard about “Project 2025” and its 922-page manifesto — which in essence is the Republican Party platform — for turning the United States into a right-wing dystopia. The threat of “Project 2025” has been one of the central messages of the Democratic National Convention this …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 22, 2024 at 6:37 PM

fighting Project 2025

By now you’ve likely heard about “Project 2025” and its 922-page manifesto — which in essence is the Republican Party platform — for turning the United States into a right-wing dystopia. The threat of “Project 2025” has been one of the central messages of the Democratic National Convention this …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 21, 2024 at 6:49 PM

what just happened to Taylor Swift

Over the weekend, Donald Trump posted deepfakes online that appeared to show pop music superstar Taylor Swift and her fans endorsing him for president. What are “deepfakes”? Deepfakes are sounds, images, or videos generated using so-called “artificial intelligence” (AI). This is not science fict…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 20, 2024 at 7:38 PM

Taylor Swift deepfakes posted by Donald Trump

Over the weekend, Donald Trump posted deepfakes online that appeared to show pop music superstar Taylor Swift and her fans endorsing him for president. What are “deepfakes”? Deepfakes are sounds, images, or videos generated using so-called “artificial intelligence” (AI). This is not science fict…
  Robert · [email protected]
August 17, 2024 at 1:15 PM

peace of mind

Just wanted to make sure you saw our earlier note — copied below in case you missed it — about the service we’re offering that lets folks create a will for free. - Robert ****** Some days, it feels like the bad news overshadows the good. The very foundations of our society are at risk as autho…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 15, 2024 at 7:07 PM

what do you want to happen?

Some days, it feels like the bad news overshadows the good. The very foundations of our society are at risk as authoritarian forces push blatantly anti-democratic measures and threaten outright political violence in the naked pursuit of power. Greed, profiteering, and myopic mismanagement on the …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 13, 2024 at 7:33 PM

this agency is shirking its duty to safeguard our democracy

Have you heard about “deepfakes”? Deepfakes are sounds, images, or videos generated using so-called “artificial intelligence” (AI). This is not science fiction or paranoia. Existing AI technology is powerful enough to make deepfakes that are essentially indistinguishable from the real thing. In f…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 12, 2024 at 5:57 PM

sweeping power to break the law

With its profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case, the Supreme Court has in effect given U.S. presidents sweeping power to break the law with impunity — the kind of power heretofore associated with foreign despots, dictators, and kings. So the American people have a choice to …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 11, 2024 at 9:11 PM

let our country devolve

With its profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case, the Supreme Court has in effect given U.S. presidents sweeping power to break the law with impunity — the kind of power heretofore associated with foreign despots, dictators, and kings. So the American people have a choice to …
  Robert · [email protected]
August 10, 2024 at 5:28 PM

what it comes down to

Hoping you can take a look at our earlier note — copied below in case you missed it — about Public Citizen’s major new campaign for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s disastrous ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case. Thanks! - Robert ****** With its profoundly misguide…
  Lisa · [email protected]
August 8, 2024 at 10:24 PM

not easy

Hey there, just wanted to make sure you saw our earlier update — copied below in case you missed it — about Public Citizen’s major new campaign for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s disastrous ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case. - Lisa ****** With its profoundly mi…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 8, 2024 at 6:30 PM

hell no

With its profoundly misguided ruling in Donald Trump’s immunity case, the Supreme Court has in effect given U.S. presidents sweeping power to break the law with impunity — the kind of power heretofore associated with foreign despots, dictators, and kings. So the American people have a choice to …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
August 7, 2024 at 7:05 PM

four steps Congress must take to protect voting rights

Yesterday marked 59 years since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — the landmark legislation that helped protect against racially discriminatory voting practices — was signed into law. But in 2013, the Supreme Court gutted one of that law’s core protections and made it easier for states to restrict …