Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts Demolition Man
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Oct 25, 2025 
Joyce White Vance, former U.S. Attorney and MSNBC contributor, delves into the precarious state of democracy and justice. She discusses her new book, emphasizing the need for active citizen engagement to defend institutions. Vance critiques the media's role and highlights the threat of politicized legal processes. She stresses the importance of community activism and voter protection against tightening laws. Together with Dahlia Lithwick, they explore the urgency of repairing, not abandoning, democratic structures, all while maintaining a thread of hope for the future.
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Demolition As Democracy Metaphor
- The White House East Wing demolition became a stark, literal metaphor for institutional erosion.
- Joyce White Vance and Dahlia Lithwick contrast visible destruction with hidden norm-busting across government.
Authoritarian Strength Is Largely Perceived
- Authoritarians rely on convincing people that resistance is futile to accumulate power.
- Public protest turnout shows that mass civic engagement can expose that perceived inevitability as false.
Prepare For Voting ID Barriers
- Anticipate future attacks on voting access and prepare practical local responses now.
- Joyce White Vance suggests communities plan to help citizens obtain costly ID like passports to preserve voting rights.
