Attacks on Democracy

January 6th, election interference, acts of authoritarianism, voter suppression, and systematic undermining of democratic institutions.

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Stories

DAVID MARCUS: Memo to Bono: Please shut up and go away

DAVID MARCUS: Memo to Bono: Please shut up and go away

The article criticizes Bono and U2's recent protest song "American Obituary," alleging it simplifies complex issues and misrepresents facts related to police shootings and immigration. The author contends Bono has long aligned with liberal causes influenced by wealthy benefactors and criticizes his perceived insincerity and lack of relevance in contemporary music. The piece also compares Bono's activism unfavorably with other artists like Morrissey, suggesting his public engagement is driven by political agendas rather than genuine artistic expression or moral conviction.

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Chris Kelly Opinion: Gaughan 'grandstands' while colleagues sit on hands - Scranton Times

Chris Kelly Opinion: Gaughan 'grandstands' while colleagues sit on hands - Scranton Times

Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan has gained praise for publicly opposing immigration enforcement and invasive data center development, positioning himself as a leader on these issues despite criticism from colleagues. During a recent commissioners' meeting, Gaughan’s advocacy for the "Protect Our Neighbors Act" and his efforts to influence state policy demonstrated his active stance, contrasting with the inaction of Democratic and Republican colleagues. Critics accuse him of grandstanding, but supporters view his actions as genuine leadership that resonates with voters, especially on morally significant issues like ICE operations and data center impacts.

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TSA says PreCheck will remain in operation despite earlier DHS plan to suspend lanes

TSA says PreCheck will remain in operation despite earlier DHS plan to suspend lanes

The TSA announced that its PreCheck program will continue operating despite an earlier DHS plan to suspend it during the partial government shutdown, with TSA evaluating operations on a case-by-case basis due to staffing constraints. The DHS initially stated that services like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry would be suspended to conserve funds amid the shutdown, which began on February 14 due to legislative disagreements. The situation has drawn criticism from Democrats, who have accused the administration of politicizing government functions.

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How NPR reporters built an archive to document January 6th

How NPR reporters built an archive to document January 6th

NPR investigative reporter Tom Dreisbach led an effort to create a comprehensive archive documenting the events of January 6, 2021, including video evidence and criminal case data, to preserve an accurate history of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The project aims to counteract efforts to distort the event's narrative and provides public access to detailed records, highlighting the varied backgrounds of those involved and the evolving political discourse around the event. Dreisbach emphasizes the importance of memorializing the day’s violence and trauma, ensuring future generations have access to the evidence and human stories from that time.

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How NPR reporters built an archive to document January 6th - KUOW

How NPR reporters built an archive to document January 6th - KUOW

NPR reporters, including Tom Dreisbach, worked to create an archive documenting the events surrounding the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, with the aim of preserving a record of the incident for future generations. The article highlights efforts to record the moments before, during, and after the mob stormed the Capitol to stop the certification of the presidential election.

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Keeping Nevada's voter rolls clean: DMV, registrars, state work together - KTNV

Keeping Nevada's voter rolls clean: DMV, registrars, state work together - KTNV

Nevada's election officials assert that instances of non-citizens voting are exceedingly rare, with only 11 proven cases between 2011 and 2021. The state uses multiple safeguards, including DMV registration procedures, verification by county clerks, and the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) to prevent non-citizens from registering or voting. While the DMV collects citizenship status but does not verify it, the verification process occurs later through system checks, and voter fraud is considered a serious crime. Nevada has also passed a constitutional amendment to require photo ID for voting, which is expected to be implemented in 2028.

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'Make America Healthy Again' activists warn Trump could lose their support over glyphosate order

'Make America Healthy Again' activists warn Trump could lose their support over glyphosate order

Members of the Make America Healthy Again movement, who support Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have threatened to withdraw support from President Trump over his recent executive order to boost domestic glyphosate production using the Defense Production Act. The activists oppose glyphosate due to health concerns and view the order as a broken promise, which could impact their influence in the upcoming midterm elections. The order, citing national security and food supply security, has faced criticism from other groups and underscores ongoing tensions over pesticide safety and regulatory actions.

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'Trump, I'm not afraid of you': meet some of the people suing the president - The Guardian

'Trump, I'm not afraid of you': meet some of the people suing the president - The Guardian

Over the past year, more than a hundred lawsuits have been filed against the Trump administration by individuals and organizations to challenge its rollback of civil liberties, including issues related to immigration detention, trans rights, protest rights, and religious sanctuary. Notable cases include a man suing over inhumane conditions at ICE facilities, a Palestinian activist detained for protesting, a trans woman fighting for correct gender markers on passports, and faith leaders seeking protection for immigrant congregants. These legal actions underscore efforts by Americans to defend civil rights amid policy changes they consider harmful.

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This vile Trump sidekick is a gift for Dems - Raw Story

This vile Trump sidekick is a gift for Dems - Raw Story

The article criticizes Kristi Noem's leadership of the Department of Homeland Security, highlighting incidents such as prioritizing migrant deportation over rescue efforts and overseeing aggressive immigration enforcement actions, including the use of ICE agents in Minneapolis. It suggests that her actions align with former President Trump's harsh immigration policies and portrays her as a divisive figure whose removal would not significantly change the underlying policies. The piece also discusses her close relationship with Corey Lewandowski, implying that her tenure has been marked by chaos and controversy, which could potentially benefit Democratic opponents in upcoming elections.

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JPMorgan concedes it closed Trump's accounts after Jan. 6 attack - WSLS 10

JPMorgan concedes it closed Trump's accounts after Jan. 6 attack - WSLS 10

JPMorgan Chase confirmed in a court filing that it closed Donald Trump's bank accounts after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, admitting for the first time that these accounts were closed post-attack. The bank's acknowledgment is part of Trump's lawsuit alleging political motivations behind the account closures, which he claims caused financial harm. The case involves issues of "debanking" and political discrimination, with Trump asserting the bank placed him and his businesses on a "reputational blacklist."

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Most Thai voters unhappy with EC's performance, suspect election fraud | The Star

Most Thai voters unhappy with EC's performance, suspect election fraud | The Star

A Suan Dusit Poll survey of 1,231 respondents found that nearly 60% were dissatisfied with the Election Commission’s handling of the February 8 election in Thailand, with over 68% expressing concerns about election fraud and transparency. The poll also revealed significant worries about procedural confusion, political conflict, and smear campaigns, while public satisfaction with the EC's performance was mixed, and most respondents believed the election would not significantly improve Thai politics.

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Letter to the Editor: Eat Crow, Mr. Lawler | Yonkers Times

Letter to the Editor: Eat Crow, Mr. Lawler | Yonkers Times

The letter criticizes Congressman Mike Lawler's sponsorship of the SAVE Act, arguing that it imposes unfair voting restrictions by requiring all voters to present specific identification documents, which many eligible Americans lack. The author contends that the bill could disenfranchise millions, particularly marginalized groups, and increase voter suppression under the guise of election integrity. The letter also condemns provisions that would require sharing voter data with the Department of Homeland Security and alleges the bill is driven by false claims of voter fraud.

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