Impacts of Federal Policy Actions on Democracy
Publications
Research-based analysis of how federal actions affect democracy in the United States
Opinion | Trump’s Washington Is Ghosting States and Cities
By Philip Rocco, Jay Rickabaugh, and Jen Nelles
The authors argue that state and local governments should innovate, collaborate, and boldly use their powers to navigate an unpredictable federal government.
Published in Washington Monthly on November 27th, 2025
Brief | What California Should Consider if it Wants to Leave the United States
By Ethan Evans
Evans writes that California's Calexit initiative deserves serious, evidence-based study through an independent commission rather than dismissal.
Published November 18th, 2025
Opinion | History Shows us Why a Non-Partisan U.S. Military is Essential
By Ryan LaRochelle and Kate Flynn
LaRochelle and Flynn detail how Defense Sec. William Cohen helped preserve the military’s nonpartisan role and safeguard national security during the partisan firestorm of Clinton’s impeachment.
Published in TIME on July 1st, 2025
Podcast | Trump versus Maine: The Mouse that Roared
Featuring Luisa Deprez and Amy Fried
Deprez and Fried discuss Maine’s defiance of Donald Trump’s threats over transgender athlete policies and the broader implications for upcoming elections.
Podcast from Washington Monthly released on May 21st, 2025
Opinion | How the U.S. Can Still Defend Democracy: Global Lessons on Building Broad Coalitions
By Jennifer McCoy and Rachel Beatty Riedl
McCoy and Riedl write that defending democracy takes more than protest, requiring broad coalitions, coordination across sectors, and clear demands.
Published in The Fulcrum on May 18th, 2025
Opinion | Want real government efficiency? Try a scalpel, not a chainsaw.
DeBacker explains that everyday Americans benefit from federal workers—and urges more precision, not broad cuts, when considering budget reductions.
Published in The Post and Courier on March 6th, 2025
Opinion | Madison’s Constitution Is Coming Undone
By Daniel Carpenter, Paul Pierson, and Eric Schickler
A warning about how inaction from Congress and executive overreach are unraveling core tenets of constitutional governance.
Published in Washington Monthly on February 21st, 2025
Opinion | Trump is Repeating Richard Nixon’s Failed Plan to Shutter Federal Agencies
LaRochelle argues Trump is repeating Nixon’s failed attempt to bypass Congress and dismantle agencies, and offers lessons from that time for resisting executive overreach.
Published in Time on February 12th, 2025
Opinion | How to Take Heart From What Really Worked in the First Resistance
Skocpol reflects on what made past efforts to resist authoritarianism effective—and what lessons matter most in this moment.
Published in The New Republic on January 24th, 2025