
How to Fix It with John Avlon S2 Ep54: The Damage to America Is Permanent (w/ Michael Luttig & Jeh Johnson)
Dec 14, 2025
Michael Luttig and Jeh Johnson, legal heavyweights and co-chairs of the ABA Task Force on American Democracy, delve into the concerning state of U.S. democracy. They discuss the dangers of unchecked presidential power and the repercussions of mass pardons. The duo advocates for independent commissions to combat gerrymandering and promotes civic education and reforms to boost voter participation. Highlighting threats from disinformation and the critical need for cybersecurity in elections, they issue a clarion call for collective civic action.
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Restore Civics Education Funding
- Reinvigorate K–12 civics education with federal support to build informed citizens.
- Jeh Johnson and the task force urge restoring civics funding and curriculum emphasis nationwide.
Adopt Independent Redistricting Commissions
- Move redistricting to independent citizen commissions to reduce gerrymandering and promote centrism.
- Jeh Johnson says citizen-drawn maps incentivize representatives to appeal to the center.
Court Likely Won't Block Partisan Maps
- The Supreme Court appears unlikely to police partisan gerrymanders going forward.
- J. Michael Luttig predicts future gerrymanders will rarely be invalidated by the Court.

