Defend Democracy Project
@defdemocracy.bsky.social
DDP is dedicated to ensuring that American voters determine the outcome of our elections.
The House of Representatives approved a measure to overturn a Trump-led executive order eliminating union rights across several federal agencies.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
House votes to repeal Trump order ending union rights at federal agencies
Twenty Republicans joined with Democrats to overturn the order, but it faces steep odds in the Senate.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:33 PM
The House of Representatives approved a measure to overturn a Trump-led executive order eliminating union rights across several federal agencies.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
The FDA is planning to put a “black box” warning, its most serious warning, on Covid-19 vaccine. This marks the Trump administration's latest move to undermine vaccines without providing any scientific proof to do so.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/12/h...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/12/h...
FDA intends to put its most serious warning on Covid vaccines, sources say | CNN
The US Food and Drug Administration intends to put a “black box” warning on Covid-19 vaccines, according to two people familiar with the agency’s plans.
www.cnn.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The FDA is planning to put a “black box” warning, its most serious warning, on Covid-19 vaccine. This marks the Trump administration's latest move to undermine vaccines without providing any scientific proof to do so.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/12/h...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/12/h...
The Indiana Senate voted against a Trump-backed congressional redistricting map: a rare rebuke against Trump by his own party. More than half of the Republican senators joined Democrats in voting against the bill.
www.reuters.com/world/us/ind...
www.reuters.com/world/us/ind...
Indiana Senate rejects Trump-backed congressional redistricting
The Indiana Senate on Thursday rejected a new congressional map that would have boosted Republican chances of keeping control of the U.S. House of Representatives in next year's midterm elections, dea...
www.reuters.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The Indiana Senate voted against a Trump-backed congressional redistricting map: a rare rebuke against Trump by his own party. More than half of the Republican senators joined Democrats in voting against the bill.
www.reuters.com/world/us/ind...
www.reuters.com/world/us/ind...
A federal judge ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man wrongly expelled to El Salvador, calling it “troubling” that the Trump administration threatened to re-expel him and kept him in custody for nearly four months.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/u...
Judge Orders Abrego Garcia’s Release From ICE Detention
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A federal judge ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man wrongly expelled to El Salvador, calling it “troubling” that the Trump administration threatened to re-expel him and kept him in custody for nearly four months.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/u...
Homeland Security Secretary Noem is expected to face questioning from House Democrats on Thursday regarding her agency’s lawless and aggressive immigration enforcement operations, especially in the cities of Los Angeles and Chicago.
www.independent.co.uk/news/kristi-...
www.independent.co.uk/news/kristi-...
Homeland Security Secretary Noem faces scrutiny over immigration policies at a House hearing
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is expected to face tough questions from Democrats over the Republican administration's immigration policies at a House hearing
www.independent.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Homeland Security Secretary Noem is expected to face questioning from House Democrats on Thursday regarding her agency’s lawless and aggressive immigration enforcement operations, especially in the cities of Los Angeles and Chicago.
www.independent.co.uk/news/kristi-...
www.independent.co.uk/news/kristi-...
The Trump administration must immediately end its current deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles, according to a federal judge. The judge determined the troops had been deployed illegally.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
Judge Says Trump Must End Guard Deployment in Los Angeles
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The Trump administration must immediately end its current deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles, according to a federal judge. The judge determined the troops had been deployed illegally.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
Thousands of records on Ghislaine Maxwell, a close confidant of Jeffrey Epstein, have been ordered to be released by a federal judge who ruled that access to the records is required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Judge orders release of ‘voluminous’ records in Ghislaine Maxwell case
A federal judge ordered the release of “voluminous” material gathered for the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of aiding Jeffrey Epstein.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Thousands of records on Ghislaine Maxwell, a close confidant of Jeffrey Epstein, have been ordered to be released by a federal judge who ruled that access to the records is required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Miami has elected its first woman mayor, Eileen Higgins, and its first Democrat in 28 years. Higgins defeated the Trump-endorsed Republican in the race.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Miami elects first woman mayor, marking first win by Democrat in 28 years
The defeat of the Republican in the race, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, gives added momentum to Democrats heading into the 2026 midterms.
www.politico.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Miami has elected its first woman mayor, Eileen Higgins, and its first Democrat in 28 years. Higgins defeated the Trump-endorsed Republican in the race.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Trump has refused to release the video of the aggressive second strike on the alleged Venezuelan drug boat that killed two struggling survivors, after previously promising reporters he would “certainly release” the footage to the press
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-b...
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-b...
Trump walks back support for releasing video of second boat strike
Over the weekend, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to commit to releasing video of a September boat strike operation.
www.cbsnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Trump has refused to release the video of the aggressive second strike on the alleged Venezuelan drug boat that killed two struggling survivors, after previously promising reporters he would “certainly release” the footage to the press
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-b...
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-b...
Roberts Court will decide whether to lift the cap on how much political parties may spend on candidates, a GOP effort that Democrats warn would plague campaigns with a greater risk of corruption and hand power to wealthy donors.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/09/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/09/p...
Supreme Court to debate GOP-led effort to lift campaign spending caps | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in a case initially filed by then-Senate candidate JD Vance that could lift the cap on how much political parties may spend in coordination with candidate...
www.cnn.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Roberts Court will decide whether to lift the cap on how much political parties may spend on candidates, a GOP effort that Democrats warn would plague campaigns with a greater risk of corruption and hand power to wealthy donors.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/09/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/09/p...
After failing to win the Nobel, Trump receives FIFA’s hastily invented “Peace Prize” from close ally, FIFA's President Infantino.
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
FIFA gives Trump a peace prize in a departure from its traditional focus on sport
FIFA gives its new peace prize to President Donald Trump. It’s an unusual break from tradition for the sport-focused soccer organization, whose president has become a close ally of Trump.
apnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
After failing to win the Nobel, Trump receives FIFA’s hastily invented “Peace Prize” from close ally, FIFA's President Infantino.
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
Colorado Secretary of State Jenna Griswold has refused a demand from the Trump administration for access to sensitive voter information.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/05/j...
www.cpr.org/2025/12/05/j...
Colorado's Secretary of State argues feds have no right to voter data
Secretary of State has refused the latest request for data on voters.
www.cpr.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Colorado Secretary of State Jenna Griswold has refused a demand from the Trump administration for access to sensitive voter information.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/05/j...
www.cpr.org/2025/12/05/j...
The Supreme Court is hearing a major case today that could upend how independent agencies work. If Trump wins, he could fire regulators at will, giving the White House far more control over watchdogs that are supposed to be insulated from political pressure.
www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme...
www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme...
Supreme Court hears arguments today in dispute over Trump's power to fire FTC commissioner
The Supreme Court will consider whether removal protections for members of the Federal Trade Commission violate the separation of powers.
www.cbsnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The Supreme Court is hearing a major case today that could upend how independent agencies work. If Trump wins, he could fire regulators at will, giving the White House far more control over watchdogs that are supposed to be insulated from political pressure.
www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme...
www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme...
Trump has installed signage with his name on the US Institute of Peace, effectively renaming an independent agency that the administration gutted earlier this year, the “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.”
www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/p...
US Institute of Peace renamed for Trump after his administration gutted it earlier this year | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump’s name has been installed on the building and signage around the US Institute of Peace (USIP) – an independent agency that the administration gutted earlier this year.
www.cnn.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Trump has installed signage with his name on the US Institute of Peace, effectively renaming an independent agency that the administration gutted earlier this year, the “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.”
www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/p...
DOJ has failed to secure a new indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James, following a judge’s dismissal of the previous mortgage fraud prosecution. The indictment was a retribution campaign waged by Trump.
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
Grand jury rejects new mortgage fraud indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James
Thursday's failed indictment against James is the latest setback for the Justice Department in its bid to prosecute the frequent political target of the Republican president.
www.npr.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
DOJ has failed to secure a new indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James, following a judge’s dismissal of the previous mortgage fraud prosecution. The indictment was a retribution campaign waged by Trump.
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
The Roberts Court is allowing Texas to implement a new congressional map that could give Republicans five more U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm election. In her dissent, Justice Kagan argued it was racial gerrymandering.
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
Supreme Court lets Texas use gerrymandered map that could give GOP 5 more House seats
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for a Texas congressional map that may help the GOP win five more U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterms. A lower court found the map is likely unconstitutional.
www.npr.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The Roberts Court is allowing Texas to implement a new congressional map that could give Republicans five more U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm election. In her dissent, Justice Kagan argued it was racial gerrymandering.
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
A federal vaccine panel handpicked by RFK Jr. is expected to vote Thursday to end the decades-long recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B shot at birth. Public health experts are sounding the alarm.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/h...
As Vote Nears on Hepatitis Shot, Criticism About Quality of Data Presented to Panel
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
A federal vaccine panel handpicked by RFK Jr. is expected to vote Thursday to end the decades-long recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B shot at birth. Public health experts are sounding the alarm.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/h...
As anger over the boat strike in Venezuela intensifies, Admiral Bradley and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to face questioning on Capitol Hill about the attack.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
U.S. Military’s Boat Strikes Planning Takes On New Significance
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM
As anger over the boat strike in Venezuela intensifies, Admiral Bradley and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to face questioning on Capitol Hill about the attack.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
Indiana Democrats say that Indiana House Republicans have advanced a politically gerrymandered map drawn “purely for political performance” of Republicans.
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/02/i...
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/02/i...
House panel advances Indiana map drawn 'purely for political performance' of GOP • Indiana Capital Chronicle
The author of Indiana's new congressional redistricting bill acknowledged the maps are "politically gerrymandered" but defended them against accusations of illegal racial gerrymandering.
indianacapitalchronicle.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Indiana Democrats say that Indiana House Republicans have advanced a politically gerrymandered map drawn “purely for political performance” of Republicans.
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/02/i...
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/02/i...
Pete Hegseth may face a congressional investigations over whether he violated the laws of war by targeting survivors of a strike on a boat off the coast of Venezuela.
apnews.com/article/cong...
apnews.com/article/cong...
Pete Hegseth faces deepening scrutiny from Congress over boat strikes
The scrutiny over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon has been a long time coming on Capitol Hill.
apnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Pete Hegseth may face a congressional investigations over whether he violated the laws of war by targeting survivors of a strike on a boat off the coast of Venezuela.
apnews.com/article/cong...
apnews.com/article/cong...
The Trump Administration fired eight immigration judges from ICE headquarters in New York. More than 100 immigration judges have been fired by the administration this year, despite a backlog of more than 3.7 million immigration cases.
abcnews.go.com/US/immigrati...
abcnews.go.com/US/immigrati...
Trump administration fires 8 immigration judges in New York City
An immigration judge who was fired by the Trump administration is suing the Department of Justice, alleging she is a victim of unlawful discrimination.
abcnews.go.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The Trump Administration fired eight immigration judges from ICE headquarters in New York. More than 100 immigration judges have been fired by the administration this year, despite a backlog of more than 3.7 million immigration cases.
abcnews.go.com/US/immigrati...
abcnews.go.com/US/immigrati...
Democratic Senator Mark Kelly slammed Trump and Secretary of Defense Hegseth for their intimidation tactics after they launched a formal investigation into several senators.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen...
abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen...
Sen. Kelly slams Trump, calls for investigation into Caribbean strikes and for Hegseth to testify
"I will not be intimidated by this president," Sen. Kelly said.
abcnews.go.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Democratic Senator Mark Kelly slammed Trump and Secretary of Defense Hegseth for their intimidation tactics after they launched a formal investigation into several senators.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen...
abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen...
The White House defended Trump’s pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, the former Honduran president who conspired to transport tons of cocaine through his country and into the U.S.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
White House defends pardon of ex-Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking
“He was opposed to the values of the previous administration and they charged him because he was president of Honduras,” Leavitt said.
www.politico.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The White House defended Trump’s pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, the former Honduran president who conspired to transport tons of cocaine through his country and into the U.S.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
A panel of appeals court judges disqualified Trump’s personal lawyer, Alina Habba, as New Jersey’s U.S. attorney, citing the unusual tactics Trump employed to quickly put unqualified U.S. attorneys in place without Senate confirmation.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Appeals court upholds disqualification of Alina Habba as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor
The ruling further stymies the Trump administration’s use of unusual tactics meant to quickly put or keep largely unqualified U.S. attorneys in place without Senate confirmation.
www.politico.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A panel of appeals court judges disqualified Trump’s personal lawyer, Alina Habba, as New Jersey’s U.S. attorney, citing the unusual tactics Trump employed to quickly put unqualified U.S. attorneys in place without Senate confirmation.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Experts say Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have committed a war crime, because he ordered the death of alleged drug traffickers who were no longer able to fight.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Experts say Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have committed a war crime, because he ordered the death of alleged drug traffickers who were no longer able to fight.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...