American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

Trump Fires Office of Government Ethics Chief Monday; Hours Later, DOJ Drops Campaign Corruption Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams

February 11, 2025February 11, 2025

February 10th, the head of the Office of Government Ethics, a Senate-confirmed position, was fired by letter by President Donald Trump, likely illegally. In an even more questionable action the same day, the U.S. Department of Justice dropped federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Trump Attempts to Fire Federal Election Commission Chair ‘Effective Immediately.’ It’s Not Legal.

February 10, 2025February 10, 2025

After 22 years as a commissioner and chair of the Federal Election Commission, Ellen Weintraub was unceremoniously sacked by President Donald Trump with this terse sentence: “You are hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.” But as with several of Trump’s recent actions, it’s not legal.

In WI, State Supreme Court Candidate’s Image Altered by AI in Opponent’s Attack Ad; Election Commission Administrator Targeted by Conspiracy Theorists Allowed to Stay

February 9, 2025February 9, 2025

We’re in Wisconsin today, where a candidate for state supreme court had her image manipulated by AI in an opponent’s attack ad, and the state high court allowed the state’s embattled elections board administrator to stay, after three years of conspiracy-driven attacks by state GOP leaders.

Nebraska & New Hampshire Wrestle with “Winner Take All” and “Winner by District” Presidential Electoral Vote Systems

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025

A New Hampshire Senate bill, just killed in committee, would have moved the state’s four presidential electoral votes to a “Winner by District” system, from “Winner Take All”. Nebraska, the only state besides Maine which apportions its electoral votes by district, is trying to end it.

Will Utah’s Voter-Approved Independent Redistricting Commission and Fair Maps Prevail Over the Legislature’s Attempt to Rig Them?

February 5, 2025February 5, 2025

In 2018, Utah voters approved a ballot initiative establishing an independent redistricting commission to create fair voting districts. The legislature neutralized it, and gerrymandered the maps anyway. It’s now back before a Utah judge.