Democracy This Week - December 16, 2024

A new format for critical thinking about the democracy issues that matter most

Dec 16, 2024

U.S. Capitol building — Photo by Maria Thalassinou on Unsplash

As I wrote this past November, U.S. voters cared more about economic and pocketbook issues than nebulous concepts like “democracy.” They perceived that Donald Trump would do better in those areas, which was a big reason why he won.

That does not mean, however, that the issues related to democracy are irrelevant. The fact Trump won the election makes them more relevant than ever given his statements (promising to be a dictator on day 1) and potential actions (mass deportations, expanding presidential power while removing independence from federal agencies, etc.).

Unlike the mainstream media, which becomes hysterical at almost everything Trump says and does, I want to take a more measured approach; one that objectively assesses the good with the bad. Trump may not be a normal politician, and therefore should not be normalized, but that doesn’t mean we have to descend the hysterical golden escalator with him. No, we need to hit him with cold, hard facts and strong rhetoric, as I did here.

And to be clear — that’s regardless of whether we agree or disagree because even with someone as controversial as Trump, he has done some good.

At the start of every week, as we enter the new Trump 2.0 era, I will publish this newsletter every Monday morning with key stories related to the health of American and global democracy. I will try to cut through the noise with objectivity and rhetoric. I will also recap the major democracy-related stories from the previous week, while also highlighting relevant stories from The Political Prism, the publication I manage over at Medium. Make sure to subscribe over there if you haven’t already (we’re now over 4,200 subscribers strong!).

Throughout the week I plan to ramp up the additional posts (as I did last week), with a few paid-only posts sprinkled in for those who support my efforts that way (thank you). But the vast majority of this content will be free because I think it’s important. America’s future and the future of democracy around the world are facing their greatest existential threats since the early 20th century.

So my pledge to you is to apply my background and experience in political science and law to defend democracy and advocate for improvements. Free from senseless partisanship. Without intellectually lazy soundbites. Filled with critical thought and supported by quality sources.

And if you disagree with anything I say, and hopefully you do at some point (because we should never agree with anyone 100%), don’t unsubscribe. Respond via email. Comment below. If there’s anything we learned from this recent election cycle, it’s that we need to talk with each other more, not cancel those we disagree with.

Let’s now turn to the democracy stories to watch this week.

Democracy This Week - December 16, 2024

1. Trump and Stephanopoulos

On Saturday, December 14th, ABC News said it had agreed to give $15 million to Trump’s future presidential foundation and museum to settle a defamation suit that Trump filed against the network and George Stephanopoulos, one of its anchors. Stephanopoulos had said the former president had been found “liable for rape” in a civil trial in New York whereas Trump had been found liable for “sexual abuse.”

Why it matters: The timing of this $15 million settlement is strange. Trump would have had to establish at trial: (1) the statement was false; and (2) that it was made with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity (i.e., “actual malice”, which is the standard for defamation cases). So why would ABC settle the case now? Before depositions, discovery, and any evidence is even on the table?

The $15 million settlement amount is also high. It’s 3x the amount originally awarded to E. Jean Carroll for “sexual abuse.”

The timing and amount give the appearance of ABC News cowering to power and/or trying to curry favor with the new administration. I would understand it more if the settlement occurred on the eve of trial but this settlement is before any evidence has been collected whatsoever. Not to mention that “sexual abuse” vs “rape” in this case is nearly a distinction without a difference given the judge noted in his order that simply because E. Jean Carroll failed to prove Trump raped her under New York law didn’t mean that Trump didn’t “rape” her as people commonly understand the word.

The knock-on effect of this is more aggression from Trump against unfavorable coverage. It’s already happening and will likely continue to happen in the coming weeks. Trump is emboldened after this settlement and will likely use the same litigation strategy again if he thinks he can make another media organization bend the knee. Regardless, it will likely silence genuine criticism of the incoming President.

2. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues An Out-of-State Medication Abortion Provider

Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter of New York practices telemedicine and she’s being accused by Paxton of unlawfully practicing medicine in Texas. The problem is she’s not in Texas. Her practice is in New York where she is licensed and abortion is legal. She does, however, provide medical care, including abortion pills, to patients in all 50 states.

Why it matters: Donald Trump promised voters in 2024 that he would not seek a national abortion ban. This may be his end-around, with Paxton doing the dirty work for him. Trump could throw his hands up and say he didn’t directly do anything, meanwhile, Paxton could push this case through the courts, eventually up to the Supreme Court, effectively doing the job for Trump, notching a huge legal win for many conservatives who want a national ban.

Legally speaking, I think this case should fail for basic principles of federalism. States are supposed to respect each other’s sovereignty and if this doctor is using the internet to treat patients, that should be a federal matter, not an activity for one state to try to regulate against another.

What’s next? Suing states that treat women who travel from other states where abortion is restricted or illegal? It’s the next logical step and one that could easily happen if this lawsuit from Paxton prevails.

Watch it closely.

3. South Korea - President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment has left South Korea without a strong elected leader

South Korea is one of America’s most important allies. It’s a critical bulwark against authoritarian powers in the region like North Korea and China. While the reasonably orderly impeachment of President Yoon proved South Korea’s democratic resiliency, it put them at a great disadvantage while dealing with significant domestic and international challenges.

Why it matters: With the arrival of Donald Trump comes more pressure on South Korea. Trump has made a point of engaging with North Korea and pressuring South Korea to pay their fair share for the thousands of U.S. troops stationed in their country.

There’s a power vacuum at the top when South Korea needs more stability amidst global political change. It also follows the general global trend of democracies struggling while autocracies thrive.

How the impeachment process in South Korea plays out and ultimately concludes will be a good indicator of democratic health globally. It will also place a necessary check on autocratic power in the region while countering any demands made by the new Trump administration. But how smoothly and quickly everything happens will be key.

4. Iran’s behavior ahead of Trump’s inauguration

It’s no secret that the Iranians and the Trump administration do not get along. The Iranians allegedly tried to assassinate Trump at one point. But the latest news from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran has abandoned its pledge to stop enriching uranium to near levels that could be weaponized is deeply concerning.

Why it matters: Iran is in a difficult position, regardless of what it says publicly. Its loss of Bashar al-Assad in Syria is a major blow. The incoming Trump presidency promises a more adversarial American President. Its proxies around the world are struggling, particularly against Israel.

Desperate powers can do desperate things. Don’t be surprised if Iran ramps up its attempts to develop nuclear capabilities in the next month before Trump enters office. It would further bolster an already nuclear-armed axis of authoritarianism (China, Russia, and North Korea).

Major democracy stories from this past week

1. Luigi Mangione and Vigilante Justice

I am still trying to wrap my head around how some people could hero-worship someone who (allegedly) took the law into his own hands. This is not something we should promote in society. I dug into some history of other infamous American vigilantes here:

@polispandit @polispandit ♬ original sound - PolisPandit

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2. The Fall of Bashar Al-Assad

While the world should celebrate the fall of a brutal dictator and the fact Russia had to make some evacuations from the country, it’s not all good news. As I wrote last week, the new rebel-led regime is primarily filled by a group that was previously affiliated with Al Qaeda.

3. The Deal Trump Should Negotiate Between Ukraine and Russia

Read this great piece from Stanford Professor Michael McFaul on the deal Trump should negotiate to end the Ukraine War. I summarized it in this video: