All articles tagged with #democracy
A bipartisan cohort of current and retired judges travels by bus through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan to stress the importance of an independent judiciary and the rule of law, counter politicization of the courts, and engage students and communities; the trip is funded by civic groups Democracy Rising Collaborative and Keep Our Republic.
Rampell argues that Trump frequently claims credit for corporate promotions that were already in the works, using Walmart’s preplanned summer rollbacks and beef-price cuts discussed with the USDA as a case study; Walmart says the changes were planned independently, while Trump’s post shows how political messaging can shape public perception and intimidate firms, a pattern the piece notes across other examples (DoorDash, McDonald’s, an aluminum plant, and more). The column contends this dynamic undermines free markets and democratic norms, and it closes by advocating for transparency and supporting Bulwark’s pro-democracy stance.
Slate’s Lithwick and Stern argue that Chief Justice Roberts’s Trump v. Slaughter decision dramatically expands presidential power over independent federal agencies while claiming to boost accountability; they say the history is distorted, the underlying political theory is false, and the ruling undermines democratic accountability and civil-service protections with broad implications for future administrations.
Bruce Springsteen says his idea of patriotism is 'critical patriotism'—loving America enough to call out its faults—and asserts he’ll continue using his music and public platform to challenge Donald Trump, criticizing his policies and defending democracy on his Land of Hope and Dreams tour while remaining hopeful about the country’s future.
Israel’s cabinet threatened to disregard a Supreme Court ruling, escalating a long-running clash with Prime Minister Netanyahu as he pushes to curb judicial power; officials later sought to downplay the defiance, but critics warned it risks a constitutional crisis and democratic backsliding while the dispute centers on the Second Authority broadcast regulator and media deals like Channel 13 ahead of upcoming elections.
Outgoing Texas Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett told the Essence Festival that ‘America owes Black women everything,’ arguing Black women have long borne the labor and backbone of democracy even as they face targeting; the remarks drew sharp online backlash over the Fourth of July weekend, amid broader talk of reparations and racial justice, as Crockett’s political profile looms after losing a Senate bid and facing redistricting that reshaped her district.
Ken Burns told Meet the Press that the drafters of the Constitution would be abjectly disappointed by how far the United States has drifted toward authoritarian power, noting the executive has expanded while Article I's power has weakened. While praising progress on rights, he warned that current division and anti-education rhetoric threaten democracy and urged lifelong learning and a marketplace of ideas to sustain a healthy republic, saying the founders anticipated such risks and would want stronger checks on power.
Ken Burns argues that confronting the brutal realities of American history, rather than sanitizing it, sharpens our view of the present and reveals how the founders imagined a citizen-led republic. He warns that today’s authoritarian impulses thrive on distraction and conspiracy, urges unity over division, and emphasizes the ongoing need to reconcile a diverse nation while learning from the past.
On Meet the Press, Ken Burns says the Founders would be abjectly disappointed by today’s concentrated executive power and partisan division, warning of authoritarian temptations, while noting progress on rights and urging lifelong learning as a safeguard for democracy.
Former President Bill Clinton, marking the United States’ 250th anniversary, urged Americans to reject division and warned of a divisive era, criticizing what he called the weaponization of government and aggressive immigration enforcement—while not naming Donald Trump—as Trump held his own America250 events in Washington.
The piece revisits 1976, when Ford declared that the ‘long national nightmare’ was over as the US celebrated its 200th anniversary, a moment framed by bipartisan renewal after Watergate. It contrasts that mood with today’s climate under Trump, described as circus-like and threatening to democratic norms, and explores how Nixon’s attempts to control the bicentennial echo current debates over national narrative and power. The article notes the participatory, local-grounded celebrations of 1976 versus today’s centralized, top-down commemorations, suggesting that while past anniversaries have mirrored upheaval, the present era faces unique challenges to democratic institutions and civil discourse.
Bill Clinton delivered a sharp rebuke of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement in a July 4, 2026 message marking America’s 250th birthday, accusing MAGA allies of weaponizing government, threatening democratic norms, and pursuing a “New Deal” for the super-rich. He framed the moment as a test of the nation’s founding ideals, urging inclusion, accountability, and renewed commitment to protecting democracy while acknowledging the country’s flaws and history of striving toward a more perfect union.
An Axios op-ed arguing that the United States remains the world’s most capable economy and innovation hub, driven by a bold risk-taking culture, immigration-fueled growth, and a durable democracy, with data showing outsized shares of global GDP, venture capital, and startup activity—despite political pessimism and media silos.
Vox argues the Supreme Court’s Trump v. Slaughter ruling endorses the unitary executive, deeming the president’s removal of an FTC commissioner lawful despite congressional rules, giving Trump broader power over independent agencies. The decision raises alarms about democratic accountability and suggests the Court could become the main arbiter of executive power, with long‑term risks for juristocracy and congressional checks; it also notes related rulings like Trump v. Cook that reveal tensions over agency independence.
On the 250th anniversary of the United States, the piece argues that marginalized Americans increasingly question their belonging under Trump, citing state violence, deportation fears, and a national mood of disillusionment. Public surveys show broad dissatisfaction and a willingness among some to leave, while scholars warn of rising fascist tendencies and a weakened democracy. The author calls for a mature, truth-centered patriotism and active civic renewal, treating democracy as a skill that must be learned and defended rather than taken for granted.