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In 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked: what kind of government have you created? He answered, "a republic — if you can keep it." From Protect Democracy, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group working to prevent authoritarianism.

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ifyoucankeepit.org
Artwork for If you can keep it

Latest Issues

The lies they need you to believe

An attendee monitors results at an election night event for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Los Angeles hasn’t had a Republican mayor since 2001. In the 2024 presidential elec...

18 days ago
39
1

Muzzling America’s workforce

Dear Civil Servant,

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently proposed that agencies effectively require their employees and new hires to sign a standard nondisclosure agreement (NDA) that would restrict them from speaking up about...

20 days ago
39
3

The Post Office has no business deciding who votes

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Picture the path a ballot takes to get to your mailbox. A county clerk prints it, seals it in an envelope, and hands it off to a letter carrier, who drives it to your street and walks it to your door. It’s a...

25 days ago
69
2

Are you on the list?

Dear Civil Servant,

Since at least 2020, Trump and his allies have been working on a plan to formally turn certain civil servants into at-will employees who could be easily fired. Originally called Schedule F and now called Schedule Policy...

a month ago
40
1

The shoes that don't fit

Kyle Mazza - UNF News via CNP/Shutterstock

Autocratic leaders around the world often use prosecution strategically — neutralizing some opponents and sending a signal to others, while preserving just enough credibility in the justice system...

a month ago
52
1

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Authors

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  • Protect Democracy

    Protect Democracy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group working to prevent authoritarianism.

  • Ben Raderstorf

    Ben Raderstorf is writer and policy strategist at Protect Democracy. He writes about how to beat authoritarianism in the substack "If you can keep it." His writing has been published in The New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Bulwark.

  • Jessica Marsden

    Director of Impact Programs & Counsel, Free & Fair Elections @ Protect Democracy

  • Kristy Parker

    Former civil rights prosecutor, current pro-democracy lawyer. K-State/Oxford/Harvard Law grad.

  • Erica Newland

    Current Counsel at Protect Democracy and former federal civil servant

  • Michael Angeloni

    Michael Angeloni is a Research Specialist at Protect Democracy, where he examines democratic backsliding and threats to the rule of law in a global context.

  • Justin Florence

    Justin Florence co-founded Protect Democracy and helps lead the organization’s work to advance its mission, including legal, policy, advocacy and communications strategies.

  • Grant Tudor

    Grant Tudor is a policy advocate with Protect Democracy, where he develops and advocates for a range of reforms to shore up our democratic institutions.

  • Aaron Baird

    Aaron is the communications director at Protect Democracy, helping spread the message about threats facing American democracy and what we can do about them.

  • Shanna Singh Hughey

    Shanna Singh Hughey is a policy strategist at Protect Democracy who focuses on preventing an autocratic president from dismantling our democracy.

  • Ben Berwick

    I oversee Protect Democracy’s work to ensure that pro-democracy civil society actors remain resilient in the face of autocratic tactics, and to protect the right to free expression and dissent that are required for a healthy democracy.

  • Jules Torti

    Current Counsel at Protect Democracy and former federal civil servant

  • Cerin Lindgrensavage

    Cerin Lindgrensavage is a counsel at Protect Democracy who works on advocacy, research and litigation related to preventing the abuse of executive authority and supporting the Congress and courts as a check against executive branch overreach.

  • Ellinor Heywood

    Ellinor Heywood is an Impact and Litigation Specialist at Protect Democracy. She works on projects to protect the civil service and prevent the closing of civic space.

  • Alexandra Chandler

    Alexandra Chandler oversees Protect Democracy’s teams that protect free and fair elections and the infrastructure for electoral competition at the national and state levels, as well as national security policy and advocacy.

  • Allie Cashel

    Allie is a Campaign Strategist at Protect Democracy, mobilizing key civil sectors (esp. science & healthcare) in pro-democracy work. She brings strong experience in digital political campaigning, disability, & patient organizing.

  • Joe Allen

    Joe Allen is a digital strategist at Protect Democracy.

  • Corey Dukes

    Director of Impact Programs for Coalitions and Hill Engagement at Protect Democracy

  • Alison Hirsh

    Alison Hirsh is the Chief Impact Officer at Protect Democracy. She is a senior leader with over two decades of experience in government, advocacy, organizing and labor.

  • Cecilia Muñoz

    Cecilia Muñoz led the White House Domestic Policy Council under President Obama. Previously, she spent 20 years at the National Council of La Raza (now Unidos US). She is a MacArthur Fellow, and works with a number of nonprofit organizations

  • Beth Littrell

    Beth Littrell is a civil rights attorney with more than 25 years’ experience fighting to prevent government overreach and expand constitutional protections, currently with Protect Democracy as Special Counsel.

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