Do Republicans Value Democracy Or The Rule Of Law The Answer Is Clear But There’s Still Time To Fight Back
Newt Gingrich; John Roberts; Donald Trump
Even before the latest Supreme Court decisions approving hyper-partisan gerrymandering and effectively;allowing;the addition of a citizenship question to the census, experts have wondered aloud whether Republicans remain committed to democracy. Toward the end of a recent plenary;panel;on Supreme Court reform at the American Constitution Societys national convention, University of Chicago law professor Aziz Huq suggested, We dont really know how committed the Republican Party is to the project of democracy.
If the GOP still values the rule of law, then perhaps the danger to democracy will recede after President Trump leaves office. But if the GOP no longer cares about democracy, then our political system could be in peril. Democracy probably cannot survive, after all, if one of our two major political parties is indifferent to its fate.
Unfortunately, the answer to Huqs question is clear. The Republican Party is not at all committed to democracy, and GOP leaders and voters would happily tolerate alternative political arrangements. That is a worrisome claim, to be sure, but the evidence is indisputable. Republicans have abandoned any concerns they may have had for the integrity of our political system.
Exclusive: Former Wwe Execs Introduce A New Fund
George Barrios and Michelle Wilson the former co-presidents of World Wrestling Entertainment who abruptly left the company a year ago are announcing their next project today: Isos Capital Management, an investment firm focused on media, entertainment and sports.
The idea was hatched in the summer. Mr. Barrios and Ms. Wilson are veterans of the sports and entertainment business, including more than a decade at WWE. We feel really proud of everything that was accomplished during our tenure, so were excited about the next chapter with Isos, Ms. Wilson told DealBook. After WWE, they both considered several opportunities including C.E.O. roles but decided instead to continue working together.
An industry in flux. The new fund will target companies at all stages of development, in industries that are undergoing rapid technological shifts. There are spaces whether its video gaming, e-sports, sports betting that will drive fan engagement, and that digital transformation will really become the vehicle to make that happen, Ms. Wilson said.
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As money has poured into the space and deal making has picked up, the funds founders believe their experience and contacts set them apart at WWE, for example, they led the companys aggressive international push. Capital is important, but its fungible, Mr. Barrios said. What Michelle and I bring is expertise, credibility and a global network.
Theyve Been Jabbing At Mike Lee & Praising Maryland Governor Larry Hogan On Social Media
The women of Utah have questions for Senator Lee, including: Do you mean you already fully understood his utter disregard for the rule of law, and just dont care?
Republicans for the Rule of Law
Republicans for the Rule of Law recently reposted a letter to the editor that appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune, slamming Utah Senator Mike Lee. The letter, written by the Utah chapter of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, asked Lee why he continues to stand by the president. The letter reads:
When you state that nothing in this report changes your view of this president, do you mean that you already fully understood that President Trump was doing whatever he could to obstruct justice and was saved only because his staff refused to follow his orders? Do you mean that you support the president despite this unethical and self-serving behavior?
Republicans for the Rule of Law has also been showering praise on Maryland governor Larry Hogan. Hogan is the son of the late Maryland representative Lawrence Hogan, who was the only Republican representative to vote for all three articles of impeachment against Nixon. More recently, Larry Hogan made headlines when he called the Mueller Report disturbing and said it didnt exonerate the president.
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Corporate America Rethinks Political Donations
Big businesses often donate to both political parties and say that their support is tied to narrow issues of specific interest to their industries. That became increasingly fraught last week, after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol and some Republican lawmakers tried to overturn Joe Bidens win in the presidential election. A flurry of companies have since reviewed political giving via their corporate political action committees.
Some big banks are pausing all political donations:
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Goldman Sachs is freezing donations through its PAC and will conduct a thorough assessment of how people acted during this period, a spokesman, Jake Siewert, told DealBook.
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JPMorgan Chase is halting donations through its PAC for six months. There will be plenty of time for campaigning later, said Peter Scher, the banks head of corporate responsibility.
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Citigroup is putting all campaign contributions on hold for a quarter. We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law, Candi Wolff, the banks head of government affairs, wrote in an internal memo.
Some companies are pausing donations to specific politicians:
Heres what we heard from some of the big corporate donors to the group:
Jay Timmons Makes A Statement
Amid the flurry of corporate condemnations of last weeks violence at the Capitol, one stood out. In its statement, the National Association of Manufacturers called out President Trump directly and urged Vice President Mike Pence to consider removing him to preserve democracy. The Timess Jim Tankersley, Peter Eavis and DealBooks Lauren Hirsch got the back story of the unexpectedly severe statement, perhaps the starkest sign of corporate Americas break with the Trump administration.
Once a reliable conservative ally, the trade group has hosted Mr. Trump at annual meetings, worked closely with his administration on deregulation and tax cuts, and gave Ivanka Trump an award last year. N.A.M.s president, Jay Timmons, has long ties to the Republican Party, and previously served as chief of staff to Senator George Allen of Virginia.
What changed? Quite likely, the reason that the group was able to speak out so forcefully last week was that Mr. Timmons did not poll the boards membership before issuing the statement . When The Times reached out to the companys board members, most referred to their own vaguelywordedstatements condemning the violence. Few would comment on N.A.M.s call for the removal of Mr. Trump.
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Their Legal Adviser Is The Son Of The 1940 Republican Nominee For President
Republicans for the Rule of Law has a legal advisory board of seven legal advisers. One of those seven advisers is Wendell Wilkie II, who is an adjunct fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and an adjunct professor at NYU. Willkies father, Wendell Willkie, was the 1940 Republican nominee for president. Willkie initially ran on an anti-isolationist platform, although his positions evolved during the campaign. He was beaten handily by Franklin D Roosevelt.
The Group Is Part Of A Larger Conservative Ngo That Calls For Increasing Legal Immigration & Expanding Free Trade
Republicans for the Rule of Law is part of a larger organization called Defending Democracy Together. That group, a coalition of Republicans and Conservatives, says it is opposed to the nativist tendencies in the modern Republican party. The group is in favor of free trade and legal immigration. The organizations mission statement says, in part:
Today, the Republican Party finds itself entertaining some of the same unsettling nativist and authoritarian impulses that characterized Europe throughout the 20th century. These ideals are antithetical to what it means to be a Republican, and what it means to be American.
Defending Democracy Together is a 501c4 advocacy organization created by lifelong conservatives and Republicans many of whom have served in Republican administrations and write for conservative publications. We are dedicated to defending Americas democratic norms, values, and institutions and fighting for consistent conservative principles like rule of law, free trade, and expanding legal immigration.
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The Rldf Opposed Epa Regulations
The RLDFs Opposed New EPA Regulations That Limited Emissions Of New Power Facilities. According to a web post from the Rule of Law Defense Fund, On May 9, sixteen Republican Attorneys General fought back against the EPAs proposed rule to restrict the emissions of new power facilities under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act and, thereby, reducing the diversity of potential power sources. Authored by Republican Attorneys General Patrick Morrisey and Jon Bruning , the letter asserts, States have a unique role in facilitating and ensuring affordable and reliable electric service while encouraging robust economic policy and responsible environmental protection. The current proposal upsets this careful balance by preventing the States from utilizing vital resources to supply the future energy needs of their citizens.
The RLDF Posted A Letter From Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt In Opposition To The EPA Investigating Frackings Impact On Water Sources. According to a web post from the Rule of Law Defense Fund, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, in a letter joined by 10 Republican Attorneys General, responded on May 15 to a memo from the EPAs Office of Inspector General announcing its intent to study the states ability to manage potential threats to water resources from hydraulic fracturing.
Gao Rules Biden Freeze On Border Wall Funds Legal
The Government Accountability Office on Tuesday ruled that President BidenJoe BidenSpotlight turns to GOP’s McCarthy in Jan. 6 probeBiden visits union hall to mark Labor DayBiden approves disaster funds for NJ, NY after Ida floodingMOREs move to freeze border wall funds did not violate budgetary law, angering Republicans.
It is clear that delays in the obligation and expenditure of Department of Homeland Security appropriations for border fencing or barriers are programmatic delays, not impoundments and do not violate the ICA, Shirley Jones, managing associate general counsel for appropriations law at GAO, said in a statement.
Budgetary law requires the executive branch to spend the funds that Congress appropriates, and sets limits on what administrations can do to impound, or avoid spending required sums.
In its decision, the GAO said that delays for environmental reviews and consultations with stakeholders, which are required by law, were appropriate, and did not constitute an illegal impoundment.
Delays in the obligation and expenditure of funds in these circumstances are programmatic delays, not impoundments, Jones said.
Donald TrumpSpotlight turns to GOP’s McCarthy in Jan. 6 probeFewer than 50 percent of West Virginians think 2020 election was legitimate: pollMORE diverted from military construction projects to the wall using emergency powers, a move that faced a slew of legal challenges.
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Republican Voters Against Trump
The advertisements feature Republican voters stating reasons why they are not voting for Trump. According to Sarah Longwell, the executive director of Defending Democracy Together, the advertisements will target voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Arizona. Bill Kristol, the former editor of the Weekly Standard and Never Trump commentator, and Tim Miller, a previous adviser to Jeb Bushs 2016 presidential campaign, are involved in the Republican Voters Against Trump initiative.
What Is Your Opinion
- Why might it be important for the rule of law to protect those who express ideas that the majority may find offensive
- Should symbolic speech receive the same First Amendment protections as other forms of speech?
- Are there times when the government should be able to limit speech? If so, under what circumstances and why?
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Republicans For The Rule Of Law Is Financed By A Democrat
Just hours after Jeff Sessions resigned as attorney general last Wednesday at the presidents behest, #TheResistance found its newest target for destruction: Sessions interim replacement, Matthew Whitaker….NeverTrump conservatives are aiding Schiff and the media in their campaign to paralyze if not remove Whitaker. Commercials attacking the acting attorney general were aired on several Sunday morning political shows. The ads were sponsored by Republicans for the Rule of Law, a group founded earlier this year by Bill Kristol, the editor-at-large of The Weekly Standard. The groups primary role so far appears to be pimping for the Mueller probe, a political witch-hunt that Kristol and his fellow NeverTrumpers pray will lead to the impeachment and removal of the president. The Left and their NeverTrump footsoldiers fear Whitaker will thwart the special counsels investigation instead of rubber stamping Muellers ever-expanding investigation as Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has done over the past 18 months.
A Viral Ad Released By The Group Says Republican Silence On The Mueller Report Is Deafening
Republicans, your silence is deafening. Stand up for the rule of law.
Republicans for the Rule of Law
A new ad from the Republicans for the Rule of Law has been going viral on social media; you can see it above. Many people are retweeting it and adding instructions to listen with your sound turned all the way up, because this video is supposed to be all about silence. The spot, shot in black and white, features close-ups of Republican Ben senators Sasse, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, John Kennedy, Tim Scott. Theyre all looking straight ahead and saying nothing. You can hear a bit of static and the faint sound of a ticking clock.
A caption at the end reads, Republicans: Your silence is deafening. Our president attempted to obstruct justice. Stand up for the rule of law.
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Rldf Listed As A Participant Of Rally That Led To January 6 2021 Storming Of Us Capitol
RLDF was one of many conservative groups listed as participants in the “March to Save America”, a rally on January 6, 2021, the day the Congress was scheduled to count Joe Biden‘s electoral college votes, confirming him as the president-elect.
RLDF also sent out a robocall describing the location and time of the protest. One call obtained by Documented said, “Im calling for the Rule of Law Defense Fund with an important message. The march to save America is tomorrow in Washington D.C. at the Ellipse in Presidents Park between E St. and Constitution Avenue on the south side of the White House, with doors opening at 7:00 a.m. At 1:00 p.m., we will march to the Capitol building and call on congress to stop the steal. We are hoping patriots like you will join us to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our elections. For more information, visit MarchtoSaveAmerica.com. This call is paid for and authorized by the Rule of Law Defense Fund, 202-796-5838.”
They Recently Posted An Embarrassing Video Of Lindsey Graham From The Clinton Era
Sen. Graham says President Clinton should be removed from office for obstructing justice in 1999: “He is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the land. He encouraged people to lie for him. He lied. I think he obstructed justice.”
Republicans for the Rule of Law
On April 22, Republicans for the Rule of Law posted a video of Lindsey Graham talking about presidential misconduct. You can see that video above. The video shows Graham saying:
This is about a person out of control. He took the law, turned it upside down. Every time there was a crossroads, he put his personal and legal interest ahead of the nation. He is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the land. He encouraged people to lie for him. He lied. I think he obstructed justice. I think theres a convincing and compelling case that he has in fact engaged in conduct that it would be better for him to leave office than to stay in office.
of course, this clip is taken from a 1999 interview Graham gave to C-Span, and the president hes talking about is Bill Clinton, not Donald Trump. But some people take the video as a sign of Republican double standards and are saying that the clip is embarrassing for Lindsey Graham, who pushed hard for Bill Clinton to leave office but has supported President Trump.
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Texas Abortion Law A Radical Expansion Of Who Can Sue Whom And An About
Senate Bill 8, which allows anyone to sue anyone who performs or aids in an abortion, marks an unprecedented change to who has standing to bring a lawsuit. The tactic is also an emerging trend in Republican-dominated states that may compromise constitutional rights, some legal experts said.
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Republican lawmakers move to ban nearly all abortions in Texas was accomplished through a huge, unprecedented expansion of who can bring a lawsuit against someone else: Under the law, anyone can sue anyone who performs, aids or intends to aid in an abortion regardless of whether they have a personal stake in the abortion performed.
Its wide open, said David Coale, an appellate lawyer in Texas. That is a radical expansion of the concept of standing.
The expansion has far-reaching legal implications, legal experts say, by challenging the very notion of what a court is for and emboldening civilians to enforce law, a duty traditionally left to the government. Its also a reversal by Texas Republicans on tort law, in which they have typically sought to limit the ability to sue, not expand it.
Legal experts also told The Texas Tribune that the measure is part of an emerging trend in Republican-dominated governments that find it difficult to constitutionally prohibit cultural grievances. Instead, they empower civilians to sue for civil remedies.
