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29 National Organizations & Ethics Experts Urge Members of Congress to Ensure Whitaker Recusal & Mueller Protections

29 National Organizations and Ethics Experts Urge Members of Congress to Ensure Whitaker Recusal and Mueller Protection 29 national organizations and ethics experts sent a letter to Senators and Representatives today expressing deep concern about the appointment of Matthew Whitaker as Acting Attorney General. The letter urged Members to help ensure that Whitaker is removed […]

#ProtectMueller Rally Remarks from November 8, 2018

In October 1973, I was in Washington working for Common Cause when President Nixon fired Watergate Special Counsel Archibald Cox for refusing to allow Nixon to block the Watergate investigation. This became known as the Saturday Night Massacre. Today, I am still in Washington, and the organization I head, Democracy 21, is part of the […]

#ProtectMueller

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | November 8, 2018 “In the end, it is up to us to ensure that the Mueller investigation proceeds without interference and that the rule of law prevails.” I was in Washington working for Common Cause when the Saturday Night Massacre – President Nixon’s firing of Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox […]

With Sessions Out, What Happens to Mueller? – NYT op-ed by Wertheimer and Eisen

Enclosed for your information is an op-ed entitled, “With Sessions Out, What Happens to Mueller?” by D21 President Fred Wertheimer and Chairman of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Norman Eisen. This piece was published in The New York Times on November 7, 2018. According to the op-ed: As ethics experts, we believe Mr. […]

New Acting Attorney General Whitaker is Conflicted & Must Not Oversee Mueller Investigation

President Trump has appointed Matthew Whitaker to serve as Acting Attorney General. Whitaker has attacked Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation in the past and cannot be allowed to have anything to do with the investigation now. Members of Congress should immediately demand that Whitaker recuse himself from overseeing the investigation or that he make a […]

Five Days

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | November 1, 2018 “A small donor matching funds system would allow congressional candidates to run for office without being indebted and obligated to big money funders.” A new coalition was announced this week that brings together 100 national organizations, including Democracy 21, to work to repair our broken political system […]

Declaration for American Democracy Coalition Announced

The remarks below were given by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer today on a press call announcing the formation of the Declaration for American Democracy coalition. The coalition is made up of 100 national organizations that have pledged to fight for democracy reforms beginning in the next Congress. Opportunities for major political reforms do not […]

Wertheimer Statement: Founding Fathers vs. Donald Trump

Take your pick: Founding Fathers John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, versus Donald Trump. Founding Father John Adams said, “The liberty of the press is essential to the security of freedom in a state.” Founding Father Thomas Jefferson said, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press.” Founding Father James Madison said, “To […]

The Watchword on Polls is “Buyer Beware”

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | October 25, 2018 “Polls can be used as a political weapon by campaigns, parties, and partisans trying to influence media coverage and confuse voters.” “Buyer beware” should be the watchword when it comes to paying attention to polls as this election season heads toward November 6. Polls can be used […]

The Critical Upcoming Election

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | October 18, 2018 “The stakes in our elections are always high, but in this election they are momentous.” With 19 days left before the midterm elections it now appears likely that we are heading for Democrats winning control of the House and Republicans maintaining, or perhaps strengthening, control of the […]