Jul 23 EF@6 w/ David Pepper

Threats to democracy start at the grassroots level— David Pepper

On Jul 7, Scott Lucas, the Transatlantic Crew and I were joined by David Pepper, the recent chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party and author of “Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake Up Call From Behind the Lines.” 

In light of the changes and challenges arising at the federal, and more importantly, state level, we asked David what threats are emerging to our democratic institutions and what can be done about them.

Guest Twitter: @DavidPepper

Watch it here:

I’m re-upping this fantastic episode with David Pepper that Olga and I did with Kremlin File. It’s timely in view of the J6 Committee Hearings. Clink on the tweet to see the video.

MeidasTouch.com @MeidasTouch

Kremlin File LIVE | The Path to Autocracy Through State Houses (with David Pepper) | Episode 18 https://t.co/GsFDdg81EE

Extra Readings…

Jim Sciutto @jimsciutto

New: 10 House Republicans met Trump in Dec 2020 to plan Jan 6 objections. According to Jan 6 Cmte they are: Rep. Brian Babin TX, Andy Biggs AZ, Matt Gaetz FL, Louie Gohmert TX, Paul Gosar AZ, Andy Harris MD, Jody Hice GA, Jim Jordan OH, Scott Perry PA, Marjorie Taylor Greene GA

Ben-Ghiat, It's Time to Rethink Patriotism and Reclaim it from the Far Right

I am writing this on July 4, a day when we often think about our America's history and what patriotism means to us. I grew up in California as a first-generation American with parents from two different cultures and faiths (my mother was born in Edinburgh, my father in Jerusalem). Their social circle included people from all over the world who had come to America to escape political repression or simply to have a better life for their families.

Laura Walker ⚖🍸🇺🇸 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @LauraWalkerKC

DHS has launched criminal probe into destruction of Jan. 6 Secret Service text messages, sources say nbcnews.com/politics/dhs-l… via @NBCNews

nbcnews.comDHS IG has launched criminal probe into destruction of Secret Service textsResults of the investigation could be referred to federal prosecutors, the sources said, depending on the results.

RDI, How to Overturn an Election The Moore v. Harper decision could allow state legislatures to subvert elections

The January 6th hearings have proven that the threats to our elections come from all directions: the White House, a violent mob, secretaries of state, legal machinations, alternative electors claiming their state went for Trump with a senator’s aid. Dangerous plots abound, but the most likely to be fatal for our democracy runs through the state legislatures.

Day 150 of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Sky News, Russian cyber spies targeting NATO countries in new hacking campaign

Cyber spies suspected of working for Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR) are targeting NATO countries in a recent hacking campaign, according to a new industry report.

The hackers are using online storage services such as Google Drive and Dropbox to avoid being detected, said cyber security company Palo Alto.

NEXTA @nexta_tv

#Lukashenko stated that it was his and not #Putin's idea to create a pan-Slavic state: "It was me who dreamed of a Slavic state. They were pushing the idea of a #Russian world at one time. I'm the one who has always been talking about there being Slavic states since the '90s".