The Key to November? Be Fearlessly Pro-Democracy

Donald Trump wants revenge. If he wins in November, he has promised retribution. This is not normal, but it also cannot intimidate those of us fighting for free and fair elections and it must not prevent us from supporting Democrats this November.

On good days and bad, through thick and thin, we need to stay sharply focused on the stakes of this election, not the tactics. To defeat Trump and Trumpism, we must remain fearlessly pro-democracy.

This starts with being clear-eyed about the risk. Trump praises murderous dictators like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un while denigrating our democratically elected allies. He threatens to jail his opponents while at the same time arguing for absolute immunity for himself. At his rallies he celebrates convicted insurrectionists and disparages our nation’s heroes.

Worst of all, Trump has converted a once Grand Old Party into a cult that promotes only him. Not content to simply control the GOP, he ruthlessly dominates it. He deposed its former chair as insufficiently loyal to him and installed his daughter-in-law as vice chair.

While it was once acceptable for Republican officials to duck questions about his outrageous conduct, silence is no longer tolerated. He demands absolute loyalty and requires elected officials to demean themselves in public to earn his grace. When he was on trial, Republican members of Congress had to attend and wear color coordinated clothing. After he was convicted, they were forced to insist he was innocent.

Most importantly, Trump requires absolutely fealty to the “Big Lie” and an ironclad commitment to election denialism. The number of prominent Republican officeholders who publicly admit that Joe Biden fairly won the 2020 election is vanishingly small — if not entirely vanished.

If Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was correct that “the simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie,” today’s GOP is composed entirely of cowards. Conservatives are already calling the results of the November 2024 election “illegitimate” before the first ballot is printed. Even the so-called “moderate” Republicans are unwilling to fully commit in advance to respect the outcome of the election.

The single most common question I receive is what individuals can do to fight against the rising tide of MAGA extremism.

Now, an ideological movement is building around Trump’s desire for dictatorship. Led by Project 2025, these henchmen in suits aim to put a modern gloss on very old authoritarian ideas. Gutting the civil service is only the beginning. A more efficient and ruthless form of right-wing cronyism is their goal. 

Sadly, the Supreme Court, once the last refuge resort for people seeking justice and rule of law has twisted itself and its jurisprudence to facilitate Trump’s lawlessness.

First, it overturned the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision that blocked him from the presidential ballot. Then, the nation’s high court limited a key tool the Department of Justice has used against Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Finally, in its coup de grâce, the Court struck a blow against the notion that no one is above the law — holding Trump immune from criminal prosecution for nearly all actions taken as president.

Collectively, these cases represent a near capitulation to Trump’s desire to bend the law to his will and misuse power for his political gain. Democracy is under assault, its flag is flying upside down and the conservative majority will not protect it.

Our institutions will not protect us from MAGA extremism. The few that have tried have failed. Far too many, however, sought appeasement and will be remembered and condemned by history as cowards.

This does not mean that we should not expect more from our leaders in civil society and government. We must continue to insist that they all do more — the business community, media, political leadership and courts.

But we also must accept that if we are to defeat Trump, it will be the citizens themselves who will lead the way. The outcome of this election and what follows will not be dictated by a prosecutor nor a news outlet. It will be the result of tens of millions of Americans voting for Democrats and against Republican extremism.

The single most common question I receive is what individuals can do to fight against the rising tide of MAGA extremism. People want to know what they can do to help defeat Trump.

First, everyone needs to make sure they are registered to vote and know what the rules are for voting. Republicans are changing laws to make voting harder even as my law firm, Elias Law Group, fights in court to make it more accessible.

Second, if you have time, volunteer for a Democratic campaign or a local political party organization. Volunteers are the lifeblood of a campaign. They knock doors, call voters and otherwise help infuse vitality and life to the long slog of a campaign.

Third, if you can, contact your local county elections office and ask if they need poll workers or additional help in the office. Our elections are administered at the local level and most offices need assistance.

Finally, everyone who supports democracy and free and fair elections needs to be public with their support. Stand up and speak out against right-wing extremism in your own town square — your social media accounts, social groups, as well as with your friends and family. Don’t shrink from having difficult conversations with others; seek them out.

Tell everyone you can about the stakes for democracy this fall. If we all do that — if we are fearlessly pro-democracy — we will win this November.