How Billionaires Bought the Supreme Court | Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse joins Marc Elias for a sweeping conversation on the state of American democracy—from the tragedy at Brown University to the urgent fight against Supreme Court capture, dark money, and fossil fuel influence. Whitehouse breaks down how billionaire interests engineered a “captured court,” why voting rights and environmental regulation are under attack, and what real Supreme Court reform must look like. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket

Harvard Law Professor Nicholas Bowie joins Marc Elias to unpack how the Supreme Court’s conservative majority is dismantling decades of voting rights, campaign finance law, and congressional authority. From the Voting Rights Act to campaign finance reform, from Reconstruction to modern-day “history and tradition” tests, this conversation explores why SCOTUS is no longer exercising judicial restraint—but judicial supremacy. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket

Donald Trump’s “revenge prosecutions” are threatening the rule of law — and former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance says our democracy may not survive unless Americans act now. Joyce joins Marc Elias to explain how Donald Trump is weaponizing the Department of Justice to target his political enemies, from prosecutors like Jack Smith to government officials and critics. She breaks down why these actions are a direct attack on democratic institutions, how grand jury secrecy laws are being abused, and the real-world harm these “revenge prosecutions” inflict on innocent people. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket

Never-Trumper and former Republican George Conway joins Marc Elias to unpack why Donald Trump is both an “addled old man” and a dangerous threat to democracy. They also break down Democratic momentum in key elections — and Conway reveals whether he’s considering running for Congress. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket

Brian Tyler Cohen joins Marc Elias to highlight the Democrats in who are fighting back against Trump’s attacks on democracy, from the battle in Congress over the Epstein files to the frontline legal and political fights of Trump’s second term. This conversation breaks down the leaders, strategies, and momentum driving Democrats forward in 2026 and beyond. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket

Donald Trump has repeatedly tried to keep the Epstein files out of the spotlight — but could his fear of their release be influencing far more than we realize? In this episode, Marc Elias breaks down the strange behavior of Rep. Mike Johnson and Congress, what the recently released emails bring to light, and how the political gridlock may have all been a distraction from the Epstein Files. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett joins Marc Elias to break down the GOP’s chaos in the House, the fight over redistricting in Texas, and what these battles reveal about the road to 2026. From Republican infighting to the next wave of voting rights fights, Crockett shares her unfiltered view of where American democracy is headed. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket

Despite major pro-democracy wins in 2025, the fight is far from over. This video exposes the next phase of Trump and the Republicans' playbook — and what voters, lawyers, and journalists must do now to defend democracy before it’s too late. Marc Elias of Democracy Docket gives his expert take on politics, news, and current events. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket 07:46 Claiming “Fraud” 12:20 Banning Voting Methods 15:30 Weaponizing Federal Power 18:04 Seizing Control of Ballots 22:24 Extreme Republican Gerrymandering 27:56 Abusing the Courts 34:31 Political Retaliation & Prosecutions 38:23 Undermining the Media

Rep. Dan Goldman joins Marc Elias and Democracy Docket to expose how Donald Trump is weaponizing the DOJ, threatening Republicans, and covering up the Epstein files. They discuss the dangers of mid-decade redistricting, election denial, and what Democrats are doing to defend democracy and protect the rule of law. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket

Donald Trump is dismantling American democracy through corruption, pay-to-play schemes, and the politicization of the courts and Department of Justice. Sen. Richard Blumenthal joins Marc Elias & Democracy Docket to discuss Republicans enabling an authoritarian takeover, turning justice into revenge, and destroying institutional integrity. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket