Attacks on Democracy

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

1799

Stories

Justice Department sues Oklahoma to force release of protected voter info

Justice Department sues Oklahoma to force release of protected voter info

The U.S. Department of Justice sued Oklahoma to obtain unredacted voter information, including social security and driver’s license numbers, amid concerns over compliance with federal law. Oklahoma's Attorney General's Office indicated willingness to cooperate with lawful requests but did not confirm whether the state would comply with the DOJ's demands. Oklahoma officials and the state election board have expressed concerns about releasing protected voter data, citing legal restrictions. The lawsuit aims to verify Oklahoma's adherence to federal election laws.

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Rulli seeks to censure Democratic congressman | News, Sports, Jobs - The Herald Star

Rulli seeks to censure Democratic congressman | News, Sports, Jobs - The Herald Star

U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli introduced a resolution to censure Democratic Congressman Al Green for his disruptive protest during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, where Green displayed a sign in protest of a racist video posted by Trump. Green was previously removed from the address for similar conduct, and Rulli cited Green's actions as uncalled for and a breach of proper conduct. Rulli's resolution follows existing House votes to censure Green and his efforts to garner additional bipartisan support, despite other related legislation he has introduced receiving little attention.

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Ari Melber reacts as MAGA ally poised to buy CNN: 'What Donald Trump wanted' - MS NOW

Ari Melber reacts as MAGA ally poised to buy CNN: 'What Donald Trump wanted' - MS NOW

Ari Melber discussed the potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance, which would include CNN, and suggested this aligns with the interests of Donald Trump and MAGA allies. He noted that Paramount's leadership, including Trump donor and CEO David Ellison, has made moves that favor conservative influence, raising concerns that CNN could face increased politicization similar to changes at CBS. Critics worry that this could threaten CNN’s critical coverage of Trump and his allies.

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A pivotal point for American democracy - WAMC

A pivotal point for American democracy - WAMC

The article criticizes recent actions and responses of the U.S. government regarding immigration enforcement, highlighting reports of federal agents' aggressive tactics and instances of detention and deportation of immigrants, including children and individuals with legal rights to work in the U.S. It condemns the militarization of cities and calls for Congress to cease funding ICE operations, advocating for coordinated protests and nonviolent resistance to oppose what is described as an inhumane and escalating immigration crackdown. The authors emphasize the importance of democracy, freedom, and organized collective action to oppose these policies.

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Anthropic faces lose-lose scenario in Pentagon conflict as deadline for policy change looms

Anthropic faces lose-lose scenario in Pentagon conflict as deadline for policy change looms

Anthropic faces a deadline to agree to the Department of Defense's demand for unrestricted use of its AI models, with threats from the DoD to label the company a "supply chain risk" or invoke the Defense Production Act if it refuses. The company, which has emphasized safety and responsible AI deployment, is caught in a conflict between government pressures and its own values, risking reputational damage and lost revenue if it declines. Industry experts and employees have expressed concern over potential long-term impacts on AI collaboration with the government, while Anthropic maintains its stance of cautious cooperation.

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Vance says Americans 'cannot give power' back to Democrats following SOTU antics | Fox News

Vance says Americans 'cannot give power' back to Democrats following SOTU antics | Fox News

Vice President JD Vance criticized Democrats' behavior during the recent State of the Union, asserting that their response demonstrated why they should not be entrusted with power in the upcoming midterm elections. He condemned Democrats for not supporting a young girl who survived an attack by an illegal immigrant, accusing them of lacking compassion and suggesting they are influenced by interests connected to illegal immigration. Vance emphasized that the election in November is a critical opportunity to prevent the return of Democratic control.

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Scouting America will alter its policies to maintain support from the US military, Pentagon says

Scouting America will alter its policies to maintain support from the US military, Pentagon says

Scouting America will implement policy changes, including requiring members to identify by their biological sex and banning gender identity considerations, following pressure from the Pentagon, which has threatened to withdraw its support if compliance is not met. The organization, which maintains its new name and continues to serve over 200,000 girls, has historically partnered with the military and embraced LGBTQ+ members since 2013. The Pentagon criticizes the rebranding and recent social justice initiatives as incompatible with its values and has expressed intentions to review its support within six months.

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At the Times and the Post, solid reporting with a mealy-mouthed presentation | Press Watch

At the Times and the Post, solid reporting with a mealy-mouthed presentation | Press Watch

The article criticizes The New York Times and The Washington Post for their cautious and often euphemistic reporting on President Trump and related political issues, arguing that their language downplays the severity and true nature of threats such as election interference, voter suppression, and foreign policy risks. It contends that journalists frequently hedge, omit critical context, or use passive or neutral terminology, thereby failing to fully condemn or clearly identify the malicious intent behind some actions and proposals. The author calls for more direct and assertive reporting to accurately inform readers of the harmful realities underpinning these stories.

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Will Trump try to seize voting machines to disrupt the midterm elections? - The Guardian

Will Trump try to seize voting machines to disrupt the midterm elections? - The Guardian

The article reports concerns that former President Trump and government officials are exploring or proposing the seizure of voting machines across the U.S., potentially disrupting the 2026 midterm elections. Trump has called for "nationalizing" voting and hinted at using executive powers to restrict voting technology, while investigations led by figures like Tulsi Gabbard into election vulnerabilities in Puerto Rico and Georgia have raised fears of undermining electoral integrity. Experts warn that such actions could face legal challenges, and many see them as attempts to manipulate or discredit election results under the pretext of addressing foreign interference.

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Trump pushes Congress to pass SAVE Act during State of the Union: 'So we'll see how it goes'

Trump pushes Congress to pass SAVE Act during State of the Union: 'So we'll see how it goes'

During his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voting, and to ban stock trading by lawmakers, while also advocating for the continuation of tariffs without congressional interference. While the House has already approved the SAVE Act, its passage in the Senate faces obstacles, including resistance to changing filibuster rules from Senate leaders and differences among Republicans. Trump also expressed opposition to congressional involvement in tariff policy, despite constitutional and judicial support for congressional tariff authority. Overall, the article notes the gap between presidential aspirations and legislative realities.

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FBI fires agents who worked on Trump classified document investigation, AP sources say

FBI fires agents who worked on Trump classified document investigation, AP sources say

The FBI has fired approximately 10 agents involved in investigations related to Donald Trump, including the case of his retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. These firings are part of a broader personnel purge overseen by FBI Director Kash Patel, a Trump appointee, and have been condemned by the FBI Agents Association. The move raises concerns about workforce stability and national security.

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Cuba speedboat shooting kills 4 | AP News

Cuba speedboat shooting kills 4 | AP News

Cuba reported that a speedboat that opened fire on its soldiers was carrying armed Cubans living in the U.S. attempting to infiltrate the island, resulting in four deaths and six injuries. The Cuban government identified some of the passengers as wanted for connections to terrorism and arrested one individual who confessed to being sent from the U.S. for the infiltration. The incident has heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with U.S. officials investigating and emphasizing the need to verify details independently.

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