Washington, D.C. — Ahead of the president’s State of the Union address tonight, Democracy Forward Foundation released a new report, The State of Democracy in the United States and the Work to Rebuild It, an illustrative record of developments over the past year and the impact on American democracy. The report concludes that democracy in the United States is in crisis as a result of a series of overreaches by the Trump-Vance administration that have ignored the Constitutional rights of people, undermined the authority of Congress, and threatened the independence of the judiciary.
“The rule of law, along with the norms, institutions, and guardrails that sustain democracy have declined and are under extraordinary strain,” the report explains.
The report also addresses a wide range of issue areas from elections to separation of powers to civil rights and civil liberties, providing an illustrative account of events over the past year that have undermined democratic norms and the protection of people. While outlining the dire reality of our current crisis, the report also highlights the guardrails that have endured and the resilience and resistance of people taking shape nationwide. From hundreds of lawsuits that have been filed against the administration to people pushing back against attacks on their rights and the rights of their communities, the president has been unable to fully consolidate his power.
The report further notes that this year will be critical to ensuring that these guardrails are sustained and that people continue to use their power through the courts, through peaceful protest and direct action, through their elected representatives, and through protecting and voting in the upcoming elections.
“Democracy in the United States is in crisis. But the story of this moment is not only one of crisis. It is also one of courage,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “The American people have shown strength and resilience in the midst of generational threats to their rights. While our democracy is in crisis, the people of this nation are strong. Democracy is a choice. And, we must keep choosing it.”
Over the past year, the Trump-Vance administration has waged a systematic campaign to dismantle government, intimidate the courts, silence the free press, restrict voting, and consolidate executive power at the expense of the American people. These are not isolated actions — they are the hallmarks of a coordinated assault on the rights, freedoms, and wellbeing of people, families, and communities across the country, all contributing in significant respects to the backsliding of democracy in the United States.
And yet, even as these threats intensify, so too does the resolve of the American people. The report highlights Democracy Forward’s impact as well as the impact of our clients and partners, while also elevating broader resistance and resilience taking shape in this moment. It offers an illustrative record of what is at stake — and what is possible when people organize, pursue accountability, and refuse to cede the promise of our democracy.
The report examines the following topics: rule of law, separation of powers, good government, voting & elections, civil rights & civil liberties, affordability & economy, civil service, labor & workers’ rights, education, health care, immigration, global leadership, data integrity & technology, climate & environment, and emerging threats.
Read the report here.
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
