KQED's Forum Joyce Vance on Why We Can’t Give up on Our Democracy
Oct 28, 2025
Joyce Vance, a former U.S. attorney and legal analyst for NBC and MSNBC, engages listeners with insights from her new book, emphasizing the importance of fighting for democracy. She discusses the implications of federal troop deployments and the separation of powers. Vance also tackles the risks of misinformation in legal filings and encourages vigilance against election fraud claims. She advocates for merging protest with legal actions, while promoting community engagement to strengthen democracy. Lastly, she highlights the critical role of the 2026 elections in safeguarding democratic norms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Federalizing The Guard Threatens Checks
- The Trump administration's effort to federalize National Guard troops threatens the constitutional balance of powers.
- Deploying military forces on domestic streets to enforce law undermines Posse Comitatus and democratic safeguards.
Demand Court Review And Full Discovery
- Courts must be allowed to review the factual basis for presidential troop deployments instead of accepting unverified claims.
- Watch for government candor in filings and push for full discovery when statements appear misleading.
Shadow Docket Leaves Lower Courts Blind
- The Supreme Court's use of the shadow docket can leave lower courts without guidance on critical constitutional issues.
- A reasoned, expedited briefing and oral argument would better protect the rule-of-law and public trust.
