This is 2020 Again—Except Now, No One Will Tell Trump 'No'
Summary
This episode examines escalating threats to US election integrity, focusing on the FBI’s raid of Fulton County, Georgia, election records and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s demand for Minnesota voter data. Host Michael Waldman and guests Ari Berman, Wendy Weiser, and Ellie Mestel argue that Trump is actively interfering in 2026 elections by leveraging debunked fraud claims to justify federal takeovers. They warn that dismantling the Voting Rights Act and suppressing voter rolls could permanently shift power, urging immediate political resistance.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The war on voting and Fulton County raid
FBI seizure of ballots as a prelude to 2026 interference
Georgia's legal mechanism for state takeover of elections
Debunked fraud claims and Tulsi Gabbard's role
Legal limits on presidential power over elections
Silence from Georgia Republicans and Secretary Raffensperger
Election interference is already happening, not hypothetical
DOJ demands for Minnesota voter rolls as extortion
Trump's strategy to push limits and assemble enablers
The SAVE Act and nationalizing voting restrictions
Kurt Olson and the network of election deniers
Proactive defense strategies for state and local officials
Building bipartisan coalitions to protect election integrity
Michigan's preparation and the need for public pressure
Public opinion on local elections and political costs
The irony of Republicans nationalizing voting
Supreme Court threat to Section 2 of Voting Rights Act
Racial gerrymandering and the risk of dictatorial power
Conclusion: Reject denial and mobilize to vote
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