Federal officials revealed that DOGE engaged in unauthorized communications with a political advocacy group tied to election denial efforts. According to a legal filing, staffers were coordinating on a "voter data agreement.”
Tuesday, January 20
View in browser ([link removed] )
NL-Header_DD-1 ([link removed] )
Sponsored-by-ACLU_2025.05-1 ([link removed] )
DOGE worked with political group to probe voter rolls, Trump admin admits
- Federal officials revealed ([link removed] ) that DOGE engaged in unauthorized communications with a political advocacy group tied to election denial efforts. According to a legal filing, staffers at the Social Security Administration were coordinating on a "voter data agreement" aimed at analyzing voter rolls to challenge election outcomes.
California judge’s dismantling of DOJ’s voter roll lawsuit could resonate nationwide
- After the dismissal of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit seeking California’s unredacted voter registration data, experts are now saying ([link removed] ) the ruling could make waves nationwide by encouraging courts to treat the Trump administration’s claims with the skepticism they deserve.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR
-
The ACLU has filed 130+ lawsuits to block the Trump administration's abuse of power, defend immigrants' rights, safeguard free speech, and protect civil liberties for all.
-
Help us keep fighting the Trump administration’s authoritarian agenda in 2026 ([link removed] ) .
Federal judges demolish U.S. attorney pretender Lindsey Halligan
- Bye, Lindsey Halligan! Today, one federal judge ruled ([link removed] ) Halligan has been ignoring court orders disqualifying her from serving as U.S. attorney. Another judge announced they were now hiring for her replacement. Both actions represented judges shoving the Trump appointee out the door.
DOJ subpoenas Minnesota Democrats
- The DOJ escalated ([link removed] ) its highly political investigation ([link removed] ) into Minnesota officials over their opposition to Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities region.
- The department targeted at least five Democratic state officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, with grand jury subpoenas seeking documents related to their policies on immigration enforcement efforts in the state.
A win for Utah voters
- A federal court dismissed ([link removed] ) a right-wing group’s lawsuit seeking access to Utah’s voter roll, citing lack of standing. The lawsuit is one of many the group has previously filed to question the accuracy of states’ voter rolls with the purpose of purging voters.
In battling a GOP gerrymander, Missouri voters are fighting for American democracy
- Missourians are fighting ([link removed] ) tooth and nail to block the state’s Trump-approved gerrymander, but GOP officials are throwing every possible obstacle their way. It’s now clear voters have more than a congressional seat on the line — the very foundation of democracy is at stake.
The secret alliance fueling Trump
- One year into Trump’s second term, Marc exposes ([link removed] ) the collapse of democratic guardrails as big law firms, legacy media, corporate elites, and government institutions capitulate, collaborate, or stay silent while voting rights, elections, and the rule of law come under sustained attack.
- Marc explains how voter data lawsuits, political prosecutions, media capture, and institutional failure threaten free and fair elections—and why democracy’s survival now depends on grassroots activism, independent media, nonprofit legal organizations, state and local leaders, and a growing pro-democracy opposition movement.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR
Screenshot 2025-12-17 at 11.44.07 AM ([link removed] )
Unlawful mass detentions and deportations. Excessive force against protesters. Censorship of journalists. Retaliation against dissenters. These are just some of the authoritarian tactics we saw in 2025 from the Trump administration.
Help us keep America a free country. The ACLU has filed 130+ lawsuits and successfully blocked many of the Trump administration’s worst policies and actions. Join us ([link removed] ) .
Coming up tomorrow
- SCOTUS will hear ([link removed] ) oral arguments on the president's power to fire without cause members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
DEMOCRACY FOOTNOTES
- A reporter – who did not hide her identity – applied for a job at ICE and got it. The Trump administration lied about the situation (surprise). But don’t worry, the reporter had ([link removed] ) the receipts.
- “The Boss” called out ([link removed] ) ICE this weekend and dedicated a song to Renee Good. Bruce 2028?
- Susan Beals is no longer the “commssioner” (sic) of elections in Virginia. The DOJ just keeps on giving us fodder for a followup to this story ([link removed] ) .
Facebook ([link removed] )
X ([link removed] )
Instagram ([link removed] )
Bluesky_Logo-grey (2) ([link removed] )
YouTube ([link removed] )
Website ([link removed] )
TikTok ([link removed] )
This is a daily newsletter that provides a quick and easy rundown of the voting and democracy news of the day. If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to our newsletters here ([link removed] ) .
Unsubscribe ([link removed] ) | Manage Preferences ([link removed] ) | Donate ([link removed] )
Democracy Docket, LLC
250 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 400
Washington, D.C., 20009
