The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 13, 2025

Special Note from the Host:   You may notice some slurring of my speech during this and upcoming reports. May 9th, I suffered an attack of Bell's Palsy which has affected the right side of my face and impacts my speech.  This is being treated, and recovery is expected with 2-3 weeks of steroid treatments.  Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Cockpit Lights Flash Emoluments Clause Danger, as Qatar Government Apparently Gifts $400M 747 to Trump for Air Force One

President Donald Trump appears poised to accept a gift of a $400 million dollar super luxury Boeing 747 from the Qatar royal family for use as Trump’s Air Force One.  The potential gift is raising questions of potential corruption under the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, and a potential security risk.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Congress - U.S. Constitution's Emolument's Clause
ABC News - Trump administration poised to accept 'palace in the sky' as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources
President Donald Trump - Post on Truth Social defending the gift
CNN - Boeing now plans to deliver new Air Force One jets in 2027, before Trump leaves office
Open Secrets - Lobbying expenditures by Qatar government, including by Pam Bondi's former lobbying firm, Ballard Partners
The Independent - Qatar pushes back on reports of $400M Boeing jet gift to Trump

Groups Taking Action:

American Promise, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Brennan Center for Justice

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 Pacifica Radio Network's Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EmolumentsClause #MoneyinPolitics #ForeignInfluence 

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 12, 2025

Special Note from the Host:   You may notice some slurring of my speech during this and upcoming reports.   I've suffered a bout of Bell's Palsy which has affected the right side of my face and impacts my speech.  This is being treated, and recovery is expected with 2-3 weeks of steroid treatments.  Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Fallout Continues from 2023 SCOTUS ‘Milligan’ Decision, as the Alabama Legislature Faces Possible Return of Preclearance Requirements

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision in Allen vs. Milligan in 2023, finding Alabama must provide an additional majority-Black Congressional District.  Defiant, the legislature created new maps - again with only one real majority-minority district. That action could return Alabama to “preclearance” status by the federal government.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

History of Allen v. Milligan:
American Democracy Minute - (2023)  Bombshell SCOTUS Decision in Alabama Case Reaffirms VRA Section 2 and May Impact 2024 Elections
American Democracy Minute - (2023)  Federal Appeals Court Slams Alabama Legislature for Defying U.S. Supreme Court’s Milligan Ruling and Strikes Down Revised Maps
American Redistricting Project - Allen v. Milligan

Current Decision in Alabama's Appeal in Allen v. Milligan
U.S. District Court - INJUNCTION AND ORDER FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

Alabama Reflector - Federal court: Alabama Legislature intentionally discriminated against Black voters in redistricting

Groups Taking Action:

NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Alabama #AllenvMilligan #RacialDiscrimination #VotingRightsAct #FairMaps

American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 9, 2025

Election Official Tina Peters was Sentenced to 9 Years for Tampering with Election Machines to Prove the Big Lie.  Trump is Trying to Set Her Free.
In August 2024, a jury convicted Mesa County, Colorado election official Tina Peters for tampering with her county’s voting machines in 2020, and allowing election deniers access to them.  Disregarding the breach of “election integrity”, President Donald Trump is now trying to set her free. 

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Colorado Newsline – (2021) ‘Serious breach’ of voting security at center of investigation of Mesa County clerk’s office
American Democracy Minute - Colorado Election Official Who Allowed 2020 Conspiracy Theory Activists Access to County Voting Machine Data Found Guilty
Colorado Newsline - Tina Peters, former Mesa County clerk, guilty on 7 counts 
Colorado Newsline - Trump Justice Department conducting ‘review’ of Colorado’s Tina Peters prosecution

President Donald Trump - Truth Social post to 'FREE TINA PETERS'
Denver ABC 7 - Jena Griswold says Trump is ‘weaponizing the Department of Justice’ in Tina Peters case

Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause CO, States United Democracy Center, Issue One

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #BigLie #FreeTinaPeters #TinaPeters #DonaldTrump

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 8, 2025

Federal Court Settles North Carolina Supreme Court Race, Heading Off a Dangerous Precedent of Retroactively Questioning Election Rules
The November 2024 North Carolina Supreme Court race contested by the Republican candidate Judge Jefferson Griffin has finally been settled in federal district court.  Associate Justice Allison Riggs was declared the winner on May 5th.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute - Partisan Saga of North Carolina’s 2024 Supreme Court Race Now Returns to Federal Court.  5,000 Military & Overseas Ballots at Risk of Invalidation
Courthouse News Service - Judge loses bid for seat on North Carolina Supreme Court bench
U.S. District Court for Eastern NC (via Courthouse News) - Opinion in Griffin v. North Carolina Board of Elections
NC Newsline - Federal judge rules for Riggs in Supreme Court voter case 

Groups Taking Action:

League of Women Voters, Protect Democracy, VoteVets , Democracy North Carolina

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NorthCarolina #NCSupremeCourt #VoterSuppression #FederalCourt

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 7, 2025

Tennessee Enacts Voting Rights Restoration for Citizens Returning from Incarceration for Common Felonies
Returning Tennessee citizens convicted of most felonies can now have their voting rights returned by a court order, rather than a pardon from the governor, under a law enacted May 2nd.  It also removed the requirement that all fees be paid prior to those rights being restored.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Tennessee Lookout - (2023)  Restoring voting rights after a felony is rare in Tennessee. This year, the process got harder.
Tennessee Secretary of State - Restoration of Voting Rights
The Sentencing Project - Tennessee Should Restore Voting Rights to Nearly 400,000 Citizens
Tennessee Legislature -  Bill text for Senate Bill 407
The Sentencing Project - Locked Out 2024: Four Million Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction
National Conference of State Legislatures - Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons

Groups Taking Action:

The Sentencing Project, Campaign Legal Center, The Equity Alliance, ACLU TN 

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Disenfranchisement  #ReturningCitizens #FelonyConvictions

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 6, 2025

President Trump’s Crypto Conflicts Compound United Arab Emirates Investment Fund Uses $2B in Trump-Backed Cryptocurrency for Deal

A new Trump-backed crypto currency company launched last September got a credibility boost when a United Arab Emirates investment fund used it to make a $2 billion dollar investment in another company.  This raises more conflicts of interest for President Donald Trump, still named as World Liberty Financial’s “Chief Crypto Advocate.” 

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

ABC News - (2024) Trump's new crypto venture is light on details, heavy on potential ethics landmines
World Liberty Finance - Trump-Backed Cryptocurrency Company
CNBC - Trump-backed crypto bank joins stablecoin wars with new dollar-pegged token
ABC News - Trump family crypto venture tapped as part of $2B Emirati-backed investment deal
The Telegraph - UAE funnels $2bn into Trump’s cryptocurrency
The Financial Times - Trump Organization strikes Gulf deals ahead of US president’s visit
Newsweek - New Trump Tower Announced for Middle East City Skyline
Public Citizen - Crypto Has Successfully Purchased Large-Scale Political Influence in the U.S. 

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW),  Public Citizen

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Trump #Cryptocurrency #MoneyinPolitics #Corruption #ForeignInfluence

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 5, 2025

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warns Judges, ‘The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy – on our system of government’
At a Puerto Rico conference May 1st, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned judges that recent threats from the White house are “attacks on our democracy.”  We read a portion of her speech, and have a link to the full remarks.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Supreme Court -  “Preserving Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law” Remarks by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson First Circuit Judicial Conference, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico May 1, 2025 | 8:00 PM
Politico - Ketanji Brown Jackson sharply condemns Trump’s attacks on judges
The Hill - Trump slams judges after ruling bars admin from using Alien Enemies Act to deport gangs

President Donald Trump - Post of Truth Social After Judge Halts Deportations Under the Alien Enemies Act
Politico - Trump calls for impeachment of judge who tried to halt deportations
White House Advisor Stephen Miller - Multiple Attacks on Judges via X (scan down the page) 

Groups Taking Action:
American Bar Association, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law,  Stand Up America Coalition
 
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #AttacksonJudges #KetanjiBrownJackson #SCOTUS #USSupremeCourt

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 2, 2025

Updates from North Carolina: Fed Court Stays Retroactive Registration Cures; State Court Strikes Down Law for Control of State Election Board
We’re in North Carolina today with updates on the partisan attempt to overturn the 2024 state supreme court election, and the legislature’s attempt to strip the governor’s power to appoint the state election board.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute - Partisan Saga of North Carolina’s 2024 Supreme Court Race Now Returns to Federal Court.  5,000 Military & Overseas Ballots at Risk of Invalidation
NC Newsline - US appeals court pauses NC elections board action in the Supreme Court election case
U.S. District Court (via Democracy Docket) - Stay in Griffin v. North Carolina State Board of Elections

American Democracy Minute - (2024) Before it Loses its Supermajority, the North Carolina Legislature Strips Election Powers from Its Governor, Bans AG from Opposing the Legislature.  Will the House Override the Veto?
Courthouse News Service - (2024)  North Carolina Republicans successfully strip power from incoming Democrats
Courthouse News Service - North Carolina court grants control of elections boards to state auditor

Groups Taking Action:

Democracy North Carolina, League of Women Voters NC

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NorthCarolina #NCSupremeCourt #ElectionSubversion #NCGOP #JoshStein

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report for May 1, 2025

What is a ‘Baby FARA’ and Why are States Enacting It?
The federal version of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, has been in place since 1938, but recently, states are passing their own versions, nicknamed “baby FARAs.”  What are they, and how do they relate to American Democracy?

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Congressional Research Service - Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA): An Overview
U.S. Department of Justice - Recent Cases and Enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act 
Covington & Burling Law Firm's Inside Political Law - Arkansas Governor Signs Baby FARA Law
Steptoe Political Law Blog - (2024)  Not FAR-Away: Proposed State Legislation Increases in an Attempt to Regulate Foreign Agents
Campaign Legal Center - (2024) Defending Foreign Corporate Election Spending Ban in Minnesota (Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi)
American Democracy Minute - (2023) After a Canadian Utility Spent $22 Million Dollars to Influence a Ballot Measure, Maine Voters Ban Foreign Money in State Elections 

Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, Protect Our Democracy, Issue One

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ForeignInfluence #FARA #BabyFARA #DarkMoney  

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 30, 2025

US DOJ Removes Senior Managers from Voting Section, Abandons Current Cases, in Further Erosion of Voting Rights Protections 

The Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Justice reportedly reassigned top managers of the Voting Section, and instructed remaining attorneys to drop pending cases.  This includes voting rights and redistricting cases under the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice - Voting Section
Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice - Voting Section Litigation
NBC News - Pam Bondi reshapes the DOJ around Trump's priorities
The Guardian - Trump’s justice department appointees remove leadership of voting unit 
NPR - Under Trump, the Justice Department is stepping away from some voting rights cases
Democracy Docket - Trump’s DOJ Drops Lawsuit Against Georgia’s Voter Suppression Bill 

Groups Taking Action:

Legal Defense Fund, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, ACLU

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #DOJ #VotingRights #VotingRightsAct #TrumpDOJ