Brennan Center

Can a president amend the Constitution through an executive order? The answer is no. @tomtmwolf.bsky.social discusses the upcoming Supreme Court decision that will determine the fate of Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship. Watch The Briefing with Michael Waldman. bit.ly/3Qo12sR

Has the philosophy of liberalism limited the potential of a fully realized multiracial democracy in the United States? Laura Field, author of Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right, joined The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/4vnuAFX

This Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Brennan Center celebrates its diverse staff. We work to build a United States that is democratic, just, and free — for all.

How can political parties stop being part of the problem and become part of the solution? Learn more about our solutions and stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

Although partisanship has benefited U.S. democracy, “you can’t have partisanship where there are no rules that constrain the worst excesses of what parties are capable of.” Watch Historian @zelizer.bsky.social on The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/4nWF6BE

@vanhollen.senate.gov is 100% correct: Long-standing legal precedents say that blockades are acts of war. Administration officials have denied this to evade congressional scrutiny of the unlawful Iran War while continuing unauthorized hostilities.

We’re living through an epic era of corruption at the top levels of government — and it’s time to do something about it. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority used outdated examples to say the racial gap in voter turnout has closed, but in reality, the gap is growing — due in part to the Court’s past assaults on the Voting Rights Act. bit.ly/3QIYd5B

On The Briefing with Michael Waldman, @profmmurray.bsky.social discusses her new book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader. Watch: bit.ly/4tsGahv

Threats of violence against the Americans who run our elections have sharply increased since 2020, and the Brennan Center’s annual survey of election officials shows we need to do more to support these unsung heroes. Read: bit.ly/3RBKGgo

On The Briefing with Michael Waldman, @profmmurray.bsky.social discusses how the Reconstruction era transformed the U.S. Constitution and the country. Watch: bit.ly/4tsGahv

Our annual survey of local election officials from around the country shares some important steps that our political leaders need to take to support free and fair elections. Read: bit.ly/3RBKGgo

The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority is relying on its own radical decisions to justify antidemocratic rulings, like the one to destroy the Voting Rights Act. For more on the Supreme Court of the United States, subscribe to Jesse Wegman’s newsletter Major Questions: bit.ly/42N7TP2

Election officials prepare year-round for elections and a wide range of potential disruptions. This year, that list includes threats from the federal government. Check out our survey of local election officials: bit.ly/41pYmNr

In the Callais decision, the Supreme Court claimed the authority to define racial discrimination, disempowering Congress and states from addressing both current and inherited structures of racial inequality. Watch @olatij.bsky.social on The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/4wjhSJC

No one should hold power for life: 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices would mean more regular presidential appointments. Justices wouldn’t time their retirements based on who would appoint their successor. Watch @olatij.bsky.social on The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/4wjhSJC

Fisk University President Agenia Walker Clark and the Fisk Jubilee Singers joined the Brennan Center’s Legacy Awards to celebrate our new Partnership for Southern Impact, a collaboration to strengthen democracy.

The first sentence of Article I of the U.S. Constitution says that all legislative power is vested in the Congress of the United States. @raskin.house.gov at the Brennan Legacy Awards.

The Roberts Court destroyed what’s left of the Voting Rights Act — the civil rights law that helped usher in our multiracial democracy. Congress can do something about this. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

Brennan Center’s @seanmorales-doyle.bsky.social testified before the Illinois Accountability Commission on the ways states can stand up to the threats of ICE at the polls. Watch: bit.ly/4dhUuU5

No one should hold power for life: 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices would mean more regular presidential appointments. Justices wouldn’t time their retirements based on who would appoint their successor. Watch The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/4wjhSJC

@chrislhayes.bsky.social introduced this year’s Brennan Legacy Award recipient, @raskin.house.gov, praising his commitment to defending the U.S. Constitution and noting, “what a beautiful inheritance that we’ve all been given to live in this country under the rule of law.”

The Roberts Court destroyed what’s left of the Voting Rights Act — the civil rights law that helped usher in our multiracial democracy. Congress can do something about this. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

“The entire trajectory of our constitutional development has been towards government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” — @raskin.house.gov at the Brennan Legacy Awards dinner

From term limits for justices to cameras in the courtroom, here are six reforms that would help rebuild public trust in the Supreme Court: bit.ly/4dbN1qI

The Supreme Court’s ruling in Callais makes it easier for states to justify partisan gerrymandering — creating nearly impossible hurdles to proving racial discrimination. Watch The Briefing with Michael Waldman. bit.ly/4f65M04

The Roberts Court has dismantled the ability of voters of color to have a fair chance for representation in government. It demands an immediate congressional response.

Our modern gerrymandering nightmare is the fault of the Roberts Court, which lacked the guts to do its most important job. For more on the Supreme Court of the United States, subscribe to Jesse Wegman’s newsletter Major Questions: bit.ly/42N7TP2

By undermining the Voting Rights Act, the Roberts Court has dismantled the ability of voters of color to have a fair chance for representation in government. It demands an immediate congressional response.

Partisan gerrymandering is deeply unpopular, but the Supreme Court seems to have sanctioned it. Now, Congress must act. Watch The Briefing with Michael Waldman to hear Brennan Center experts unpack the Supreme Court’s recent ruling: bit.ly/3QIndKc

The Brennan Center outlines six solutions that can bring accountability and ethical standards to the Supreme Court. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

Sending ICE to the polls is flatly illegal. “If that happens, we will go to court.” — @mawaldman.bsky.social at the Brennan Legacy Awards dinner

Progress achieved since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is now at risk. Brennan Center experts discuss the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Callais v. Louisiana. Watch: bit.ly/4t3n6WX

An increasing number of Americans are united in opposing abuses of power. Peter Keisler, former Acting Attorney General, at the Brennan Legacy Awards dinner

The decision in Louisiana v. Callais is a devastating setback in the long fight for equality in political representation for all Americans. The Roberts Court has dismantled the ability of voters of color to have a fair chance for representation in government. It demands an immediate response.

Dismantling the Voting Rights Act is part of a broader project to move this country from a functioning democracy to one more easily manipulated by elites. Watch The Briefing with Michael Waldman to hear Brennan Center experts unpack the Supreme Court’s recent ruling: bit.ly/4t3n6WX

“As Steve Bannon so eloquently put it, quote, we're going to have ICE surround the polls. Let's be clear at the outset: that is flatly illegal. If that happens, we will go to court.” — @mawaldman.bsky.social at the Brennan Legacy Awards dinner

“It is the embodiment of a promise that in this country, no person stands above the law or beyond its protection, that prosecutors serve the people and not the powerful.” — Vanita Gupta at the Brennan Legacy Awards dinner

Despite the federal government’s attempts to undermine U.S. elections ahead of the 2026 midterms, we can and will have free and fair elections. @mawaldman.bsky.social at the Brennan Legacy Awards dinner.

71% of local election officials have prepared for at least one scenario that could disrupt elections. Liz Howard discusses the Brennan Center’s latest survey of election officials on The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/4cQfZeD

What solutions can actually work against corruption in the government? At the Brennan Center, we have an agenda to fight misconduct. Learn more and stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

It’s not enough for politicians to say they’re against sleaze. The real question is what are they going to do about it? At the Brennan Center, we’ve written about reforms that can actually work. You can read about our agenda against corruption by subscribing to The Briefing: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

75% of local election officials have not received additional resources from their state or local government to address federal cuts to election security services. Liz Howard discusses the Brennan Center’s survey of local election officials on The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/42puIbp

The issue of corruption has exploded in the United States and across the world. Politicians, journalists, and others are waking up, and corruption is going to be a big topic in the upcoming election. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

About 80% of local election officials — jobs that require navigation of physical threats, misinformation, and rapidly evolving technology — are women. Liz Howard discusses the Brennan Center’s latest survey of local election officials on The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/3Qocg0g

Can the president send ICE agents to police the polls? No — it's illegal, and ICE has no role in elections.

Can the president send ICE agents to police the polls? No — it's illegal, and ICE has no role in elections. Here’s what you need to know.

What are the constitutional limits on the president’s emergency powers to wage war on another country? Conservative attorney @greggnunziata.bsky.social joined The Briefing with Michael Waldman to discuss the courts, Congress, and executive overreach: bit.ly/4cM4l5v

The Trump administration has threatened judges and courts it disagrees with, a stark departure from previous administrations. Gregg Nunziata discusses what it will take to preserve U.S. democracy on The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/4tzJqsB

The results of Hungary’s recent election offer lessons for U.S. democracy. Subscribe to our free newsletter, The Briefing, to stay updated on efforts to keep U.S. elections free and fair: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

The Trump administration is demanding that states hand over their voter files. Most states have refused, but at least 10 have provided full voter lists, placing the sensitive data of more than 37 million voters in the federal government’s hands. bit.ly/3JFbKaB

Don’t count traditional media out yet. This week, @mollyjongfast.bsky.social joined The Briefing with Michael Waldman to discuss the future of journalism, war powers, and the Justice Department: bit.ly/4mD9Mat

President Trump's latest voting executive order is another attempt to take over elections — power he doesn’t have. But it turns out, there are effective countermoves blunting this and other efforts to undermine elections.

President Trump's latest voting executive order is another attempt to take over elections — power he doesn’t have. But it turns out, there are effective countermoves blunting this and other efforts to undermine elections.

“Any vote to advance this bill is a vote to block millions of eligible Americans from the ballot box” — The Brennan Center’s Owen Bacskai on why the SAVE Act must be stopped

The Trump administration's plot to undermine the election is now clear. But with each move, there are effective countermoves. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

Last week, President Trump issued another anti-voter executive order. We’ve gone to court to block it, and we’ll keep pushing back against other anti-voter efforts. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

The Trump administration's plot to undermine the election is now clear. But with each move, there are effective countermoves. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

We know there’s an effort to undermine the midterm election. But for every strategy that threatens the right to vote, there is a countermove to protect it. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

President Trump has signed an executive order on mail voting. He has no lawful authority to write the rules that govern U.S. elections. He tried a year ago; we sued him, and we won. We expect the same result this time.

The Trump administration's plot to undermine the election is now clear. But with each move, there are effective countermoves. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

The Pentagon’s race to adopt AI without effective regulation poses serious — even deadly — risks. Congress must establish guardrails. Learn more in our report on the military and AI: bit.ly/4sJCA2S

Don’t count traditional media out yet. This week, Molly Jong-Fast joined The Briefing with Michael Waldman to discuss the future of journalism, war powers, and the Justice Department: bit.ly/4mD9Mat

The Pentagon’s race to adopt AI without effective regulation poses serious — even deadly — risks. Congress must establish guardrails. Learn more in our report on the military and AI: bit.ly/4sJCA2S

Birthright citizenship has been part of the Constitution for over 150 years. During oral arguments, Supreme Court Justice Kagan referenced the 14th Amendment, which guarantees this right. Learn more: bit.ly/4bI28aP

President Trump has signed an executive order on mail voting. He has no lawful authority to write the rules that govern U.S. elections. He tried a year ago; we sued him, and we won. We expect the same result this time.

The Pentagon’s race to adopt AI without effective regulation poses serious — even deadly — risks. Congress must establish guardrails. Learn more in our report on the military and AI: bit.ly/4sJCA2S

A new Brennan Center report takes a close look at prison systems across the country that are trying to change the status quo. Here’s what we found:

How does the law fall short in promoting an inclusive society? Kenji Yoshino discusses his new book, How Equality Wins, coauthored with David Glasgow, on The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/4tuHQI0

A key question emerged in a case before the Supreme Court: Could there be new exceptions to birthright citizenship? The answer is no.

The Trump administration's plot to undermine the election is now clear. But with each move, there are effective countermoves, Michael Waldman and Kendall Verhovek write in The New Republic: bit.ly/4dmlGTp

The SAVE Act would be the most restrictive federal voting bill to ever be passed by Congress. Lawmakers should be protecting the freedom to vote — not restricting it. Watch: bit.ly/4dfPQrx

This week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. Here are some takeaways:

The SAVE Act would be the most restrictive federal voting bill to ever be passed by Congress. Lawmakers should be protecting the freedom to vote — not restricting it. Watch: bit.ly/4dfPQrx

President Trump’s order limiting birthright citizenship is flatly unconstitutional. "The Constitution is very clear," @mawaldman.bsky.social tells @morningjoe-msnow.bsky.social. "If you're born in the United States, you are a citizen. And this is how we have governed ourselves for 150 years.”

The Supreme Court heard a major constitutional case about birthright citizenship because President Trump chose to act with striking disregard for the law. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

The Supreme Court heard a case that shouldn’t be a case — birthright citizenship is plainly in the Constitution. Here's what you need to know:

The SAVE Act would be the most restrictive federal voting bill to ever be passed by Congress. Lawmakers should be protecting the freedom to vote — not restricting it. Watch: bit.ly/4dfPQrx

“You don’t go after something this vitriolically unless it’s a real threat to you. What we’ve been able to accomplish in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion is enormous.” — Kenji Yoshino, discussing what’s next for the equality movement on The Briefing with Michael Waldman. bit.ly/3NZGGF2

President Trump’s unlawful executive order targeting mail voting is part of a broader campaign to interfere in U.S. elections. Under the Constitution, the president doesn't have any authority to write the rules that govern elections.