The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 29, 2025

The Federal Election Commission is Reportedly Now Out of Commission with the Departure of Another Member.  It’s Unlikely to Get Fixed Soon.
As if the Federal Election Commission didn’t have enough problems, another member has reportedly chosen not to continue when his term runs out April 30th.  That leaves the normally six-member commission with three, and unable to conduct business.

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:

Federal Election Commission - Leadership and Structure
Brennan Center for Justice - Enforcement & the FEC
NOTUS - The Federal Election Commission Is Facing a De Facto Shutdown
Congressional Research Service - Federal Election Commission: Membership and Policymaking Quorum, In Brief
The Hill - Trump-appointed FEC commissioner to resign on inauguration
Brennan Center for Justice - Trump Targets Independent Campaign Finance Watchdog in Latest Ouster
End Citizens United - End Citizens United Files FEC Complaint Against Trump Campaign and X Over Illegal Corporate Contribution 

Groups Taking Action:

IssueOne, Campaign Legal Center, Public Citizen, CREW

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FEC #FederalElectionsCommission #ShutDown #DonaldTrump

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 28, 2025

Federal Judge Blocks Proof of Citizenship Provisions in Trump Executive Order on Elections
A partial victory for pro-voter groups April 24th, as a federal judge blocked the proof of citizenship portion of President Donald Trump’s executive order  changing federal elections.  The judge did not address other sections, which she suggested were best challenged by states, rather than voters.

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:

The White House - PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS
Brennan Center for Justice - The President’s Executive Order on Elections
US District Court for DC - LULAC & League of Women Voters v. Donald Trump Opinion
US District Court for DC - LULAC & League of Women Voters v. Donald Trump Order
Reuters - Judge partly blocks Trump order that claimed greater control over US elections
NPR - Judge pauses parts of Trump's sweeping executive order on voting

Groups Taking Action:
LULAC, League of Women Voters, NAACP, Asian Pacific American Advocates

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #DonaldTrump #ExecutiveOrders #ProofofCitizenship

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 25, 2025

Trump 'Meme Coin' Cryptocurrency Scheme Selling Access to the President Raises Alarms for Emolument Clause Violations
President Donald Trump launched a cryptocurrency “meme coin” with his likeness on January 17th, just before inauguration day.  April 21st, with its value plummeting, the company offered top buyers of the coin a dinner with Trump and a personal tour of the White House.  That likely violates the Emoluments Clause.

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 Constitution Society - (2019)  Profiting off the Presidency: Trump’s Violations of the Emoluments Clauses
Brennan Center for Justice - (2019)  How Will the Courts Handle the Trump Emoluments Cases?
American Democracy Minute - (2024) The Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause was Intended to Stop Bribery and Corruption.  Recently, Not So Much
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) - (2024)  The intensifying threat of Donald Trump’s emoluments
Mother Jones - Trump Crypto Coin Buyers Offered VIP Tour of White House
CoinStats - TRUMP Meme Coin Tumbles After Soaring on Exclusive Gala Announcement

Groups Taking Action:

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 #Corruption #EmolumentsClause #DonaldTrump #TrumpMemeCoin

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 24, 2025

Michigan Considers Proof of Citizenship Restrictions While Awaiting Outcome of the SAVE Act Vote and Challenge to Trump’s Executive Order
Voting proof of citizenship efforts are afoot in Michigan while voters await the outcome of the federal SAVE Act and a Trump executive order requiring similar restrictions. This, despite no evidence of widespread noncitizen voting in Michigan, or anywhere else in the U.S.

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 - New Trump Executive Order Attempts to Bypass Congress & States to Require Proof of Citizenship Documents & Mandate Election Deadlines
Michigan Advance/Votebeat - Michigan House GOP proposes proof-of-citizenship requirement for all voters
Michigan Advance - Board of State Canvassers greenlights petition seeking to block noncitizens from voting in Michigan
Center for American Progress - U.S. Passport ownership by state
Michigan Live - See how Michigan’s U.S. House members voted on bill (SAVE Act) requiring voters’ proof of citizenship

Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause MI, League of Women Voters MI, Promote the Vote MI

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #PromotetheVote #HJR B  #Michigan #ProofofCitizenship

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 23, 2025

61 Individual and Corporate Donors Gave $1M or More to Trump’s Inaugural.  Where did the $239M Go?  We’ll Likely Never Know
A parade of well-known brands and CEOs lavished a post-election tribute of $239 million dollars to the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee,  according to a new filing with the Federal Election Commission.  What was it used for?  Voters will likely never know.

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 - What are the Rules as to How Contributions to Inaugural Committee Funds Are Spent?  There Aren’t Any.
Federal Election Commission - Schedule 13-A Summary for the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee
Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee (via FEC) - Submitted Records
Federal Election Commission - Itemized Donations
Open Secrets - Warren Stephens donations in the 2023-24 Election Cycle
Yahoo Finance - Chicken, crypto, and Nvidia: The companies that helped Trump’s inauguration shatter fundraising records

CNBC - Apple regains $3 trillion market cap after Trump exempts tariffs on iPhones
Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause, Public Citizen,  C.R.E.W., Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #DonaldTrump #InauguralFund #MoneyinPolitics #Corruption

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 22, 2025

Chilling Trump Order Seeks Retribution Against Former CISA Head Who Pushed Back Against Trump’s Unfounded Claims of 2020 Election Fraud
In one of his most bone-chilling orders to date, President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Department of Justice and other agencies to open an investigation of Christopher Krebs, the former head of the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency. Krebs’ alleged crime? Publicly refuting Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Associated Press - (2020) Repudiating Trump, officials say election ‘most secure’
CISA - (2020) Joint Statement from Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council & the Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Executive Committees
Voice of America - (2020)Trump Fires Security Chief Who Said 2020 Vote Was 'Most Secure' in US History
CBS News - Fired director of U.S. cyber agency Chris Krebs explains why President Trump's claims of election interference are false
The White House - Addressing Risks from Chris Krebs and Government Censorship
The White House - Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses Risks from Chris Krebs and Government Censorship
Votebeat - Election officials alarmed as Trump orders probe of former cybersecurity chief​
SentinelOne - An Official Statement in Response to the April 9, 2025 Executive Order, Updated with Krebs Resignation
Cyberscoop - Trump signs order stripping Chris Krebs of security clearance

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ExecutiveOrders #CyberSecurity #ChrisKrebs #CISA #Retribution

#Authoritarian

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 21, 2025

Former Congressman and Trump Nominee for IRS Commissioner Under Scrutiny for Campaign Finances and Ties to Alleged Tax Credit Scheme 

A former Missouri Congressman and President Trump’s nominee for IRS Commissioner is under scrutiny for a sudden loan repayment for his failed U.S. Senate campaign.  He allegedly has ties to a company promoting nonexistent “tribal tax credits.”

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Missouri Independent - Donald Trump picks Missouri’s Billy Long to lead the IRS
The Lever - (Free Registration to Read) Trump IRS Pick Was Just Enriched By Tax Schemers
Missouri Independent - Billy Long’s bid to lead IRS under scrutiny over donations that paid off personal debt
Federal Election Commission -  Billy Long for Senate FEC Filing Summary
Federal Election Commission -  Billy Long for Senate FEC Itemized Receipts
U.S. Senate Finance Committee - Press Release - Wyden, Cortez Masto Call for Criminal Investigation into Evidence of Fraud by Promoters Affiliated with IRS Nominee Billy Long
U.S. Senate Finance Committee - Wyden-Cortez Masto IRS Tribal Tax Credits Letter 

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, End Citizens United, 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 #BillyLong #IRSNominee #Corruption #MoneyinPolitics 

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 18, 2025

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly:  Democracy Headlines from Delaware, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire
While corrosive democracy news from Washington continued this week, state news ranged from good in Delaware and Mississippi, mixed in North Carolina & Pennsylvania, to downright ugly in New Hampshire.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Delaware Assembly - SB 2  Constitutional Amendment instituting 10 days of early voting
Delaware Assembly - SB 3  Constitutional Amendment allowing no-excuse absentee voting
Mississippi Today - Court again orders Mississippi to redraw DeSoto County legislative districts with special elections looming

U.S. District Court (via Democracy Docket) - MOTION TO INTERVENE BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
WCNC - Undecided NC Supreme Court race hinges on only 1,675 ballots. Here’s who must act to have their vote count.
NH General Court - SB 213, a bill which requires the presentation of proof of identity, citizenship, age, and domicile when applying for an absentee ballot.

Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause DE,  NAACP MS, ACLU PA, Democracy NC, Open Democracy Action

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NHNews  #NorthCarolina #Delaware #Pennsylvania

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 17, 2025

State of Ohio Embroiled in Another Fight Over Manipulating Citizen Ballot Initiatives It Doesn’t Like.  Now the U.S. Supreme Court is Involved.
In 2024, a ballot measure to throw out Ohio’s dysfunctional politician-led redistricting process with an independent citizen-led process had its description rewritten by state officials to sink it.  Now, Ohio officials are trying to sink two more measures they don’t like, and the U.S. Supreme Court is also involved. 

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:

Statehouse News Bureau - Group behind qualified immunity amendment sues Ohio Attorney General over latest rejection
Ohio Attorney General -  Unapproved language of  “Protecting Ohioans’ Constitutional Rights” measure 

6th Circuit Court of Appeals -  Opinion in Brown v. Yost
U.S. Supreme Court - Yost's Application to Justice Brett Kavanaugh for Emergency Stay
U.S. Supreme Court - Justice Brett Kavanaugh's order, staying the 6th Circuit
Courthouse News Service - Supreme Court keeps Ohio’s qualified immunity ballot initiative on ice

Groups Taking Action:

Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center

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 #Ohio #BallotMeasure #Suppression #DaveYost 

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report for April 16, 2025

Partisan Saga of North Carolina’s 2024 Supreme Court Race Now Returns to Federal Court.  5,000 Military & Overseas Ballots at Risk of Invalidation

A North Carolina Supreme Court candidate who lost by 734 votes and refused to concede got help from the state appeals and supreme courts in his partisan battle to invalidate as many as 65,000 voters. His case is now back in federal court.

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 - After losing two recounts in State Supreme Court Race, North Carolina GOP Candidate Is Still Challenging the Eligibility of 60,000 Voters
NC Newsline - Appeals court rules in favor of GOP Supreme Court candidate Griffin’s election challenge
WRAL - NC Supreme Court votes to throw out some, but not all, ballots contested in 2024 race for seat on court       
NC Supreme Court  - Order in Griffin v. NC Board of Elections
U.S. District Court (via Democracy Docket) - League of Women Voters NC class action lawsuit on behalf of 5,000 UOCAVA mail-in ballot military and overseas voters. 

NC Newsline - NC Supreme Court update: Riggs rallies supporters, overseas voters file new lawsuit

Groups Taking Action:

League of Women Voters NC, Protect Democracy, VoteVets 

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NorthCaroliona #NCSupremeCourtRace