Press Releases Archive

House Democrats Introduce H.R. 1, Begin Historic Effort to Revitalize our Democracy and Political System

Led by newly-elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Democrats began an historic effort this week to revitalize our democracy. Introduced yesterday as a first order of business in the new Congress, H.R. 1 is an unprecedented, holistic effort to repair our democracy and political system. Sponsored by Representative John Sarbanes (D-MD), chairman of the […]

Democracy 21 Files DOJ Complaint Against Acting AG Whitaker For Failing To Recuse From Mueller Investigation

In a complaint sent today to the Justice Department Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer said that Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker has violated his professional and ethical obligations by rejecting the advice he received from the Department’s designated ethics officials. The officials said that Whitaker should recuse himself from overseeing […]

Sixty-Five Organizations Urge House Members To Support Historic Democracy Reforms

In a letter sent to Representatives today, sixty-five organizations called on House Members to support the comprehensive package of democracy reforms that House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has committed to bring to the floor as the first order of business in the new Congress. The sixty-five organizations are members of the Declaration for American Democracy […]

Democracy 21 Says In Letter To Acting AG Whitaker That He Must Recuse Himself From Oversight Of Mueller Investigation

Democracy 21 Says In Letter To Acting AG Whitaker That He Must Recuse Himself From Oversight Of Mueller Investigation In a letter sent to Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker today, Democracy 21 called on Whitaker to recuse himself “from any involvement in the investigation being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

107 House Democratic Challengers Call for Congress to Pass Sweeping, Bold Reforms First in 2019 Session

107 House Democratic Challengers Call for Congress to Pass Sweeping, Bold Reforms as the First Item of Business in the 2019 Session In a letter distributed by End Citizens United for them, 107 House Democratic challengers wrote to all members of the House calling for bold, sweeping reforms to restore “faith in our elections and […]