This week we need you to: 

1. Read this indivisible email, it gave us hope, and maybe it gives you hope too! “With fear for our democracy”

2. Check out our merch store!

2024 Presidential Debate Recap

Let’s face it, President Biden’s first debate of 2024 was not great.  

While the media focused on the President’s poor performance, at least some polls are showing that a significant number of voters were just as put off by the angry convicted felon’s 90 straight minutes of blatant lying.

In addition, as more voters begin to understand the potential impact of a 2nd Trump administration with full immunity, they are almost guaranteed to move towards Biden and democracy.

So what do we, as Democrats, do? We keep fighting.

The Biden administration has not shown any signs of stepping aside, and the Joe Biden that we saw in North Carolina on Friday afternoon, doesn’t need to. President Biden has a proven record of fighting to lower costs, increase access to healthcare, battle climate change, reduce or eliminate student loans, and implement several other changes that benefit the American people.  

Again, in light of the recent immunity decision from the Supreme Court, it is now more important than ever to defeat Donald Trump and MAGA.

One way to do that is to turn out voters in state legislative districts, and that is how The 2030 Project plans to help. By highlighting competitive races around the state, we can help boost turnout for local candidates, which in turn helps to bolster results at the top of the ticket. In a battleground state like Georgia, it could make the difference in the Presidential election.

SCOTUS Rulings

Presidential Immunity

The federal grand jury has indicted former President Donald J. Trump on four counts:

• Conspiracy to defraud the United States

• Conspiracy to obstruct an official processing

• Obstruction of an attempt to obstruct an official proceeding

• Conspiracy against rights

Trump intends to dismiss this indictment, arguing that a President has “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution for actions performed within the scope of official duties. However, the District Court denied Trump’s motion to dismiss this immunity incitement, stating that former presidents do not possess federal criminal immunity for any acts. 

Although the Supreme Court has not dismissed the indictment, they decided former Presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within their constitutional authority. Still, they claimed there is no immunity for unofficial acts. This ruling has been a significant victory for the Republican presidential nominee, whose legal strategy focuses on delaying the indictment proceedings until after the election.

The timing of the trial is crucial to the election. If Trump wins the election, he could appoint an attorney general to dismiss the case entirely or pardon himself.

@msnbc

"The law is not going to be a check against the next president." WATCH: Former Principal Deputy Solicitor General Neal Katyal reacts to Ju... See more

With four months to go, the 2024 election is shaping to be one of the most significant in American history. For Democrats, this election is crucial for enacting just legislation, advancing social justice, and promoting equitable policies. With former President Donald Trump’s legal proceedings and the blueprint for his second term (Project 2025), intersecting with the election, the stakes are higher than ever, all the more pressing the need to re-elect President Biden.

For more information about the SCOTUS Ruling, you can find the ruling here: Trump v. United States.

Gutting the Chevron Deference

Although the Trump Immunity decision got all the attention, another terrible decision of this term was Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which overruled the Chevron deference. 

Chevron was a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1984, stating courts must give executive agencies deference with their interpretation of a statute when it is reasonable. In practical terms, this allowed the experts who run federal agencies to make educated interpretations of Congressional laws to have appropriate regulations. Federal agencies affect everyone’s lives in many ways as they regulate industries, from healthcare and drinking water standards to airplanes and air pollution. 

Now that Chevron is no longer the rule, courts have granted themselves the power to determine the regulations and rules. On the face, this doesn’t seem so sinister. Yet, it will clog the already overwhelmed legal system and force even the most well-intended judges to make rulings on very arcane yet important technical regulations. This decision will likely lead to constant uncertainty about the law, as many far-right judges strike down regulations they dislike, which could lead to the effective end of many federal agencies, including the EPA. To read the full decision, click here.

It is paramount we elect Democrats up and down the ballot, but especially to the Georgia State Legislature, so we can enact statewide regulations to protect our drinking water, our energy supply, our healthcare, and more in the absence of coherent federal protections.

July 1st Enacted Legislations

This year, we have followed the Georgia General Assembly as they proposed and entertained a variety of bills during the legislative session. After the session ended, we awaited Governor Kemp’s signing of certain bills. Many of those bills have gone into effect on Monday, July 1st. Let’s take a look at some of the bills of note.

Changes in Election Guidelines

Senate Bill 189 concerns state election laws, as Georgia has been in the news recently for its voter suppression legislation, with SB 189 at the forefront of this discussion. Per the ACLU, this bill enables the state to make it easier, “for people to file baseless, mass voter challenges, requires all advance and absentee ballots to be counted within an hour of the polls closing…makes harmful changes for unhoused citizens, and creates unrealistic and burdensome requirements of election workers.”

House Bill 1207 allows for fewer voting machines based on population estimates and gives election supervisors more freedom to change the number of voting booths in their precincts. This would harm rural communities that already have obstacles to voting, including fewer voting hours, long travel distances, and fewer locations.

Increasing Crimes Eligible for Cash Bail

A particularly harmful bill that went into effect was Senate Bill 63, which requires cash bail for an additional two dozen more crimes. This bill limits judicial discretion in the process of bail decisions. It will fuel mass incarceration for impoverished Georgians who will go to jail simply because they cannot afford bail. Georgia’s prison systems are suffering from overcrowding and inhumane conditions. Rather than implementing innovative legislation to expand supportive services, Georgia lawmakers have aimed to expand the circumstances that send Georgians to jail. 

The Harmful School Voucher Program

Senate Bill 233 allows for the controversial school voucher program, widely contested by Democrats and some Republicans who value equal education opportunities and public education, to go into effect. Time and time again, school vouchers have been proven to defund public education, lower educational outcomes, and benefit the wealthy.

It is evident that Georgia’s Republican lawmakers have used their legislative majority to approve bills that will harm Georgians. Rather than prioritizing affordable housing, education funding, and equal opportunities, the legislature has made it clear that they plan to disregard the needs and desires of everyday Georgians.

Canvassing for our Targeted Districts

On Saturday, The 2030 Project canvassed in Sugar Hill for both Michelle Kang and Ashwin Ramaswami, who are two of our supported targeted districts. These are two of the most flippable districts in the Georgia State Legislature and both these districts are critical to President Biden and Vice President Harris winning the state of Georgia again.

Hear directly from Michelle and Ashwin on why they’re running and why they support The 2030 Project. To get involved, learn more, or donate, go to https://michellekangforga.com and https://ashwinforgeorgia.com.

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As we celebrate Independence Day tomorrow, we are reminded that democracy is something we must continuously protect and uphold. 

In these polarizing times, staying engaged, informed, and active in our civic duties is crucial. Democracy is on the line, and your voice matters more than ever. Whether it’s voting, participating in community events, or supporting local candidates, every action counts in preserving the democratic principles our country was founded on. 

Wishing you all a Happy July 4th!

Sincerely,