Michael Sozan @michaelsozan Twitter profile | Pikagi

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Michael Sozan

@michaelsozan

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Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress @amprog . Democracy crusader. Former Senate chief of staff, DOJ. Opinions my own, retweets aren’t endorsements.

Washington, DC

https://t.co/iEJT4OCTlp

Joined December 2009

Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

1 year

This is hugely important and cannot get lost. As Liz Cheney said, Jim Jordan was the congressman most involved with Trump’s plans to steal the election. Not only is he unfit to be Speaker, he should be expelled from the House, as I wrote in an @amprog report last April.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

1 year

It appears there's some confusion on here about Jim Jordan's role in Trump's insurrection plot. So let me leave these here for you:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

It really is some sort of psychosis our country has: Democrats are expected to be the political party that upholds norms, and it’s just accepted that Republicans are norm breakers. And the media is all too happy to spur this on.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Trump loses a big fight over a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This is an absolutely huge win in Wisconsin for progressives (and all common-sense people), despite the debacle last week at polling places. THANK YOU WISCONSIN! You give us hope for November.

@voxdotcom

Vox

4 years

Liberal challenger Jill Karofsky wins a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

Scary statement from Cassidy Hutchinson’s deposition, about Trump-world: “And they will ruin my life, Mom, if I do anything that they don't want me to do." Not surprising. But it shows the enormity of what Hutchinson had to grapple with.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

@NormOrnstein @jedshug Too many people repeatedly promised that Rod Rosenstein was the “voice of reason” and we could trust him to help ensure that DOJ impartially did its work. That was total crap. Rosenstein has badly hurt our democracy. He should be held accountable.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

@marceelias I’m forever embarrassed that Turley teaches law at my alma mater, George Washington Univ Law School ( @gwlaw ).

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

THREAD. Republicans & A.G. Bill Barr aren’t merely trying to sow doubt about the election results, Repub. legislators in several states (PA, MI, WI, GA) are laying the predicate to appoint Trump electors. It’s illegal, but they will try. We have to take this seriously. 1/7

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

6 years

Rallies have begun across the nation to protect the Mueller investigation. I’ve joined thousands at the DC protest. I know we’re exhausted from Election Day—but the fight doesn’t end to protect the rule of law. #ProtectMueller #TrumpIsNotAboveTheLaw

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

@Sifill_LDF And also, in the meantime, for people who can afford it: Go to and order a sheet of stamps. It’s simple. It will help keep the Postal Service functioning. #buystamps #defeatTrump

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Don’t think the Barr election probe is a joke, it’s actually Barr likely preparing the groundwork for the GOP legislatures in PA, WI, MI, GA (& maybe AZ) to overturn the election and pick their own Trump electors instead. We can’t let this happen. 7/7

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

VOTING BY MAIL DOES NOT LEAD TO FRAUD. I just published an @amprog column debunking Trump's dangerous falsehood that voting by mail causes fraud. 25% of Americans vote by mail. Trump does too. If it's good enough for Trump, it's good enough for us.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Wow. Georgia's Secretary of State -- a Republican -- isn't backing down. He continues to boldly stand up against Trump/Republicans in his state. He says no evidence of fraud and he's refusing to resign.

@thehill

The Hill

4 years

Georgia elections chief fires back at Trump over claims about recount process

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

🧵Fellow democracy crusaders: BIG actions this week toward stopping political spending by foreign-influenced U.S. corporations. On the federal level, @repraskin cont. to lead way w/major bill (HR6283) & TODAY he/others are urging @SECGov to get involved.

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Democrats seek SEC action on foreign influence in elections - Roll Call

Citing “dark” corporate spending on elections, 16 House Democrats are urging the SEC to require disclosure of key foreign shareholders.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

This makes my blood boil. The system sucks — and we have to change it. Biden/Harris are a first step toward that goal.

@lmauricecpr

Lance Cooper

4 years

Terrill Thomas died in April 2016 after being denied water for seven days at Milwaukee County Jail. Jacob Chansley stormed the U.S. Capitol and was moved to a Virginia jail so corrections officials can provide him with organic food. There are two justice systems in America.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

As a former Senate chief of staff, I'm proud to join this letter with 30 former colleagues--calling for reform/elimination of the Senate filibuster. A Senate rule cannot be allowed to thwart Americans' constitutional rights. Our democracy is at stake.

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More than 30 former top Senate Democratic aides call for changes to the filibuster rules. (Publis...

Ex-chiefs of staff say the Senate rules need to be changed to end what they called abuse of the tactic.

www.nytimes.com

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

@RichardGrenell More lies/disinformation. It is REPUBLICANS in states like Pennsylvania that have blocked laws that would permit officials to start counting mail ballots before Election Day. But I know it’s fun for you to whip up voter mistrust of the system.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

@ThePlumLineGS As a first generation Hungarian-American, and a breathing human, I am sickened by Tucker’s propaganda.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

Does Clarence Thomas also want to potentially overrule Loving v Virginia, which gave him the right to marry his white wife? Interracial marriage surely isn’t deeply rooted in the Constitution, a yardstick that Thomas uses. And that case was decided after Roe. Where does this end?

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

🚨Trump is making it clear he's trying to steal the election: ✅falsely saying mail ballots are fraudulent ✅weaponizing Postal Service ✅saying results must be known on elect. night ✅packing Supreme Court ✅talking with states re alternate electors ✅refusing peaceful transfer

@JoeNBC

Joe Scarborough

4 years

Donald Trump rambles incoherently but his message is clear: he will not respect the voters’ will and will not commit to a peaceful transfer of power. So who arrests Trump and the attorney general if they attempt to steal an election and commit treason?

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Michael Sozan

4 years

@seungminkim I predict McConnell will relent when more horrendous facts come out about the depth/breadth of insurrection. We will find out there was substantial aid from Republican members of Congress and the Trump White House.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

5 years

. @BetoORourke 's brand new voter empowerment/anti-corruption agenda is incredibly bold. He now becomes a leader among the pres. candidates on democracy reforms. Americans of all political stripes should find solutions in his agenda that resonate with them.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

@costareports @rdnarang This is exactly right. This is the Republicans’ end game. Stay very vigilant. And don’t believe ANYONE who tells you to sit back and relax. We need to stay fighting until the moment Biden is sworn in.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

1 year

Here is the @amprog report from April:

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Trump and His Allies Must Be Held Accountable for the January 6 Insurrection

Without full accountability for the events surrounding the unconstitutional plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election, U.S. democracy remains under substantial threat.

www.americanprogress.org

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

@JocelynBenson @CMSeeberger Thank you for your leadership. Don't back down. You are helping people in your state have the option to safely vote without risking getting sick.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Good God. After watching the @60Minutes interviews with Biden/Harris and Trump/Pence, the choice couldn’t be clearer. We need change, badly. Go vote for Biden/Harris—as soon as you can. Vote in-person early, or drop your mail ballot off at an official location. ✅ VOTE NOW.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

As a former Senate chief of staff, I heartily endorse this tweet from @NormOrnstein . For the Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats to do otherwise would be malpractice. Strict coordination hardly ever happens on committees — but it’s imperative here.

@NormOrnstein

Norman Ornstein

4 years

Senate Judiciary Democrats need to change their usual, flabby, ineffective process in the confirmation hearing. Coordinate their questioning, keep focused on ACA, voting rights given her outrageous dissent saying convicted felons could get guns but not vote, Roe, Lochner, Chevron

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Michael Sozan

4 years

For those of you asking: 1) what we can do: support Dem governors in those 4 states in appointing the Biden slate of electors (reflecting the will of the people). And RISE UP in a huge way if Repubs try to appoint a Trump slate. 2) learn more:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

V.P.s Gore & Biden played the same ceremonial roles. They followed the correct process, even when it meant approving the Electoral College results that favored the opposing party. We must collectively hold Pence to the same constitutional standard. Stay vigilant. 3/3

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

5 years

@neal_katyal You’re right—George Washington warned about foreign interference in the US political system. Many other Founders did too. They would have impeached Trump over his abuse of power. I wrote about the Founders’ views in this @amprog column ⬇️

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The Founders Would Have Impeached Trump for His Ukraine-Related Misconduct

Constitutional principles espoused by our nation’s founders dictate that a president should be impeached if he abuses his public office by soliciting campaign help from a foreign government.

www.americanprogress.org

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

Cassidy Hutchinson — a young woman — is far braver than most of the old, white men in Trump World, who had far more money/resources. The historical record of the Jan. 6 insurrection owes her a debt of gratitude.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

WE CAN'T LOSE SIGHT: states are passing laws to sabotage elections & suppress voters. New @amprog report that I co-authored with @ATausanovitch & D.Root analyzes how #FreedomToVoteAct would counteract those harmful laws in AZ, TX, GA, FL. Senate must act.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Tremendous @60Minutes interview with @SpeakerPelosi . She is the de facto leader of our government right now. She is holding our democracy together. The only thing I disagreed with was her intimation that Trump can pardon himself. The DOJ and most scholars say he cannot.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

Robert Reich ( @RBReich ) makes a powerful case for how to stop political spending by foreign-influenced U.S. corporations. Especially important while Russian oligarchs are heavily invested in U.S. companies. (1/2)

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Trump claims immigrants are voting illegally. The real problem is foreign fatcats funding US...

Non-Americans – whose interests don’t necessarily align with the interests of the US – assert growing influence over American politics

www.theguardian.com

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

More important analysis from Greg Sargent. Notice how "1776" is now shorthand among white nationalists to reference insurrection. AND remember: multiple insurrectionist House members tweeted "1776" to followers, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Madison Cawthorn.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

2 years

It's a big deal that the Proud Boys got indicted for seditious conspiracy. This unmasks a broader right wing movement toward embracing political violence. "Regeneration through violence," one expert says, is "fundamental to the right wing imagination."

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

Fellow progressives: it's time for a Left/Right pro-democracy alliance. We must put aside policy differences for the moment & work with @RepLizCheney , others. I wrote about it in @InsideSourcesDC (and re-published in many newspapers nationwide today).

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Liz Cheney Should Be Heralded for Her January 6th Committee Work – InsideSources

These days, many proud progressives find themselves doing the once-unthinkable: heralding the work of staunch conservative Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo.

insidesources.com

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

1 year

. @SenatorMenendez must resign, says Center for American Progress Pres/CEO @patrickgaspard @amprog . It matters not whether a lawmaker is a Democrat or Republican — they must not violate the public trust or their oath of office.

@amprog

American Progress

1 year

After Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was indicted on federal bribery charges, @PatrickGaspard , president of CAP, issued the following statement:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

@NormOrnstein It was beyond maddening what Feinstein did. A gut punch. Democrats need to keep up their enthusiasm and vote and force change, step by step. This hopefully will include changing Judiciary Committee leadership.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 MEDIA -- you ALL must cover Trump's election sabotage remarks like the 10-alarm fire it is. Trump admitted he's starving the Postal Service AND refusing further $$ for elections -- so that Americans can't vote by mail. Trump is staging a coup in broad daylight.

@atrupar

Aaron Rupar

4 years

Trump admits he's sabotaging the Postal Service so universal mail voting will be impossible during an election that will be conducted amid a pandemic this November

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Michael Sozan

1 year

Another important column from Greg Sargent. And I will say, as someone who’s worked in DC politics for 2 decades, the long-running narrative is Dems are expected to behave responsibly while Repubs are expected to behave like unethical chaos agents. Frustratingly baked in.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

1 year

Dems are not obliged to bail out Republicans when the MAGA monster they created comes for them. The idea is absurd. It presumes Republicans can't be asked to take responsibility for the messes they've made with their own malignant bad acting. Free link:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Yes please. This needs to happen. The two Democratic board members have been utterly useless ... actually complicit in the demolishing of the US Postal Service.

@kylegriffin1

Kyle Griffin

4 years

Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. is calling on President Biden to fire the entire USPS Board of Governors "for their silence and complicity in Donald Trump and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's deliberate campaign to subvert vote-by-mail elections and destroy the Post Office."

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

6 years

Compelling column from conservative (and former Republican) @MaxBoot about why Trump's election as president is tainted by fraud and illegitimacy.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

5 years

Washington, DC impeachment rally. Big crowd. No president can be above the law. No president can be allowed to cheat his way to re-election with foreign help. It’s what our Founding Fathers specifically warned about. #NotAboveTheLaw

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

🚨🚨🚨 Former conservative Democratic Sen. @DougJones supports a "Manchin-plus" democracy reform package--AND an exception to the filibuster to pass it. See his op-ed below. Jones carries big weight with Manchin, Sinema, etc. Momentum continues to build.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

A baffling quote from @Sen_JoeManchin . Voter suppression under the new states is already occurring. Does Machin not know this? Or is he choosing to overlook it?

@RiegerReport

JM Rieger

3 years

REPORTER: [People say] you’re making it so that they’re not going to be able to vote in the next election. MANCHIN: …the government will stand behind them to make sure they have a right to vote…We act like we’re going to obstruct people from voting. That’s not going to happen.

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Michael Sozan

4 years

Great news: the Biden/Harris White House has created a new policy position overseeing democracy reform. Incredibly important, especially after the Big Election Lie and insurrection. @amprog , among others, recommended establishing such a position.

The Need for a White House Office of Democracy Reform

The Biden-Harris administration should have staff in the White House who are specifically focused on strengthening American democracy.

www.americanprogress.org

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

. @RepMattGaetz continues to be one of the most predictably corrupt and shameful members of Congress.

@thehill

The Hill

4 years

Gaetz: "Trump should pardon everyone" including himself to quench liberal "bloodlust"

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Michael Sozan

2 years

This is why @PeteButtigieg remains the best messenger in the Democratic Party. Take a listen.

@NoLieWithBTC

No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen

2 years

Wow. Pete Buttigieg just embarrassed Bret Baier.

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Michael Sozan

5 years

@SenWarren Thank you @SenWarren for your tremendous leadership on bold anti-corruption solutions. Millions of us are supporting your reform efforts. 🤜🏼🤛🏼

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

5 years

I am DONE with @VanJones68 . Repeatedly wrong. He just said impeachment is a “lose-lose situation” for Dems. Neither he nor @ErinBurnett mention that public opinion is rapidly shifting pro-impeachment. Plus it’s the right thing to do for our democracy & to slow Trump corruption.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Barr just authorized a dangerous DOJ probe into “voting irregularities.” This is designed to help Repub state legislators try to show substantial fraud & somehow try to overthrow the popular vote. 2/7

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

@hollyotterbein EXCELLENT news that @Bill_Dauster is going to be senior staff on the Sanders' Budget Committee. Bill is a master strategist and knows arcane Senate rules inside and out. This is a big help for Senate Dems.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Same thing in Michigan, where the Republican legislature has begun an “inquiry” into the election. This isn’t just about finding fraud – it’s about laying the predicate to appoint Trump electors. 6/7

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GOP calls for Michigan election probe. Officials say their claims are weak. | Bridge Michigan

The Republican National Committee is deploying legal teams to Michigan and calling for a federal investigation into ‘irregularities’ But elections officials — including some Republican clerks — say...

www.bridgemi.com

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Always good to see @fec commissioner @EllenLWeintraub on TV. She explained that vote by mail doesn’t lead to widespread fraud. She discussed in-person voting & other important components. And she urged people to contact their senators to demand full funding for elections. Do it!

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

@samyoungman For more about the whole sordid saga, see my @amprog report, which traces the steps involving Mitch McConnell and the Russian oligarch. It’s one reason Congress should pass a ban on political spending by foreign-influenced US companies.

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Ending Foreign-Influenced Corporate Spending in U.S. Elections

A bold new law is needed to close the loophole that allows political spending by foreign-owned U.S. corporations.

www.americanprogress.org

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

5 years

@washingtonpost What a strange moment for Trump to be alienating Republicans in the Senate. You would think Trump would want to keep them very close to him, as he enters into impeachment/removal land. What am I missing?

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Mini-thread about the post-election path ahead: Mike Pence will be under enormous pressure on January 6, when he presides over the joint session of Congress to count today’s Electoral College votes. His role is supposed to be merely ceremonial. But Trump won’t stand for that. 1/3

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

More chilling words from Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony: “To be [ ] frank, I was extremely nervous going into the first interview, for a multitude of reasons…. I almost felt like at points Donald Trump was looking over my shoulder. Because … I know how Trump world operates.”

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

In Georgia, the two U.S. senators have said the election is “failed,” which is the legal standard by which they will claim an alternative Trump slate should be appointed. (Of course, the election hasn’t really failed.) 3/7

@kyledcheney

Kyle Cheney

4 years

LOEFFLER and PERDUE jointly attack the Republican secretary of state in Georgia.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 Georgia’a Secretary of State @GaSecofState — a REPUBLICAN — just said clearly that there is no sort of widespread fraud occurring in the Georgia vote counting. (The Governor is also a Republican). And thankfully Fox News showed this press conference.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

5 years

@EllenLWeintraub @FEC Egregious inaction by the Repub. FEC commissioners. This is one of many reasons the FEC needs to be reformed; there's lots of federal legislation that would take a giant step to do that. Thanks to Chair @EllenLWeintraub for keeping up the fight on behalf of the American people.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

1 year

Hugely important report from @CREWcrew . It's high time for accountability for state and local officials -- like Doug Mastriano -- who participated in Donald Trump's unconstitutional conspiracy to overturn the valid 2020 election results.

@CREWcrew

Citizens for Ethics

1 year

BREAKING: Our new report lays out the case for expelling PA State Sen Doug Mastriano from office under the Disqualification Clause of the Constitution for participating in the January 6th insurrection. Read the report:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

1 year

Reps. Jim Jordan & Kevin McCarthy must face accountability for their roles in Trump's plot to steal 2020 election & its aftermath. Jordan=unfit to be new Speaker. Thankfully Trump & other allies are facing some accountability. Read my new @amprog report.

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Trump and His Allies Are Starting To Face Accountability for Their Plot To Overturn the 2020...

The justice system is beginning to bring a measure of accountability for the events surrounding the unconstitutional conspiracy to overturn the 2020 presidential election—a welcome development for...

www.americanprogress.org

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

In Wisconsin, Republican legislators have said they want to use their investigatory powers to immediately review how the election was administered. Again, this is likely laying the predicate to steal the election by appointing Trump electors. 5/7

@SJohnsonWPR

Shawn Johnson

4 years

. @SpeakerVos directs the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections "to use its investigatory powers under Wisconsin SS 13.31 to immediately review how the election was administered."

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Fellow pro-democracy advocates: check out this disturbing tweet from conservative J. Christian Adams of Trump's discredited "voter fraud" commission. He admits the deputy postmaster got booted because he disagreed with Trump. Trump is dangerously thwarting vote-by-mail.

@ElectionLawCtr

J. Christian Adams

@ElectionLawCtr

4 years

Good news from the #swamp : Ronald Stroman - deputy postmaster general who was working at cross purposes with @realDonaldTrump on #VoteByMail got booted, the hard way. A good lesson for SES and political appointees across the government.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

I just finished reading the Cassidy Hutchinson transcript released today. My lord. Trump World used mob-style tactics to try to influence & intimidate her: — Told her to say she didn’t recall facts — Dangled job opportunities in front of her — Used veiled threats to scare her.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Per the US Constitution and law, the V.P. presides at the joint session. He is supposed to oversee the prescribed process of vote counting and rule on any objections. Yet Trump will try to pressure Pence to blow up those rules and lawlessly throw the election to Trump. 2/3

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Imagine being this heartless and non-empathetic to interpret the Meghan Markle interview in such a negative way. More white privilege inside the Rupert Murdoch “news” world — and the world generally. Please do better, @mirandadevine .

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

This is notable. I haven’t seen @SenSchumer use language this emphatic about #ForThePeopleAct #S1 #HR1 . He’s right. 🎯 We need bold democracy reform to beat back Republican attempts to rig the system via their despicable, discriminatory voter suppression laws.

@SenSchumer

Chuck Schumer

4 years

Despicable, discriminatory, anti-democratic proposals are on the move in Republican state legislatures Make no mistake: They must be opposed by every American who cherishes our democracy This Senate is working to pass the #ForThePeople Act to renew democracy and our elections

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Michael Sozan

4 years

In PA, rank and file Repub. legislators are also calling for the Repub-controlled legislature to audit the election and demand that Biden electors not be seated until the audit is complete. 4/7

@AndrewSeidman

Andrew Seidman

4 years

Pa House GOP members tomorrow will "call for a legislative-led audit of the 2020 election and demand election results not be certified, nor electors be seated, until the audit is complete," per news release.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

@RonBrownstein Bipartisanship is a noble goal. I respect @Sen_JoeManchin for trying to pursue it. BUT he will never find 10 Repubs to support voting rights. Sometimes, protecting voting rights & democracy needs to be done by 1 political party, like with 14th & 15th amendments. Time to act!

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Tucker Carlson is absolute scum. HOW THE HELL CAN ANY COMPANIES CONTINUE TO ADVERTISE ON HIS SHOW?

@bad_takes

Brendan Karet

4 years

Tucker Carlson: "How shocked are we that 17 year olds with rifles decided they had to maintain order when no one else would?"

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Michael Sozan

4 years

@Sifill_LDF Indeed. A terrible precursor to the litigation that will focus on the November election. This Supreme Court will stop at nothing to protect Trump. The leadership of you and others will be so important to fighting this and protecting democracy.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

@NormOrnstein Indeed. The DC legal community, if it has any conscience, will banish Rod Rosenstein. And clients and young lawyers should flee his law firm, King & Spalding.

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Michael Sozan

3 years

Are we supposed to endure this for another 6 months? Another year? Another 2 years?? I’ve got an aunt & uncle in the hospital with breakthrough Covid. And a middle-school niece who is home-quarantined in week 2 of school because a classmate has Covid (despite a mask mandate).

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

1 year

Greg Sargent makes many powerful points in this column. Among them: “All of this mirrors a larger story. Red states are sinking deeper into virulent far-right culture-warring.” And that’s hurting Republicans on the national stage.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

1 year

Don't overlook the bigger story behind the "Tennessee 3": As GOP legislatures become fever swamps of reactionary rule, they're increasingly employing novel abuses of power to tamp down the backlash. This piece is FREE for those without a subscription:

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Michael Sozan

4 years

As I started the thread with, the good news is that the Electoral Count Act (governing law) makes clear this is illegal. In a rational world, this Repub gambit will fail. But in the process, it could be destructive for democracy, and we must be vigilant & rise up if necessary.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

As Greg Sargent writes, the Senate must pass the bipartisan bill to reform the Electoral Count Act. If there’s no time to pass it freestanding, stick it onto omnibus spending bill. If that bill stalls, attach it to National Defense Authorization Act. Failure is not an option.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

2 years

Worrisome: Some election reformers tell me they fear time is running out to fix the Electoral Count Act. Dems are mulling attaching reform to a big spending bill, but that's uncertain. With Trumpists like Kari Lake digging in, complacency now is insane:

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Michael Sozan

2 years

Not surprising: Trump World sees @nytimes @maggieNYT as their ally. (She always has been). Trump attorney Stefan Passantino — who originally was representing Cassidy Hutchinson — allegedly fed inside info to Haberman and said, “Maggie's friendly to us. We'll be fine."

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

This this THIS. Read Greg Sargent's piece. Our democracy is on life support. Trump and his followers want to pull the plug. Time to fight back. The U.S. House is going to vote this week on bold democracy reform #ForThePeopleAct #HR1 . Make your voices heard.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

4 years

This is getting overlooked. But at CPAC, Trump declared plainly that the GOP's future depends on voter suppression and anti-majoritarian tactics. This obligates Dems to pass pro-democracy reforms and be ready to nix the filibuster if necessary. New piece:

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Michael Sozan

6 years

@ZerlinaMaxwell @waflanagan Agreed. This is terrible. I used to admire Van Jones but how far he has fallen. (I wonder what is causing Jones to say this stuff).

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

@parscale Powerful. Too bad you haven't followed this advice before, as you torn people to shreds. Feeling contrite today with your big demotion?

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Michael Sozan

3 years

Come on, Democrats. Mobilize and flex your power in the Va. and NJ governor races. @ThePlumLineGS compellingly explains the stakes.

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Opinion | Democratic voters have another chance to deal a big blow to Trumpism. Will they?

The GOP's ongoing embrace of Trump deserves to be decisively repudiated.

www.washingtonpost.com

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

Important article explaining how hollow Justice Alito’s words are. Despite what he wrote in Dobbs, it’s not easy for Americans to simply vote, in order to change public policy. The structures of democracy are broken. @LeahLitman @ProfMMurray @KateAShaw1

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Perspective | The link between voting rights and the abortion ruling

It’s no coincidence that the court is making our democracy less democratic at the very moment it returns the issue of abortion to the political process.

www.washingtonpost.com

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Lots of potential election catastrophes loom. Read about them in this @DavidCornDC article. And note the game-changing suggestion by @NormOrnstein : make absentee ballots available at election day polling places, in case of long lines or other problems.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

Outraged by the gun massacres in Buffalo & Uvalde? Outraged by @NRA ’s grip over Repub lawmakers? Would you be even more outraged to know that FOREIGN $$ helps fund NRA, both directly & indirectly? It’s happening. And it must stop. (1/3)

Tweet card media

Dark money gets darker with less disclosure in the 2022 election - OpenSecrets News

Dark money is pouring into U.S. elections, but the vast majority of it is not being disclosed to the Federal Election Commission.

www.opensecrets.org

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

As @ThePlumLineGS writes, this is very GOOD NEWS for pro-voter/anti-corruption reforms. The Senate & House BOTH have prioritized transformative democracy reform as their first bills (S.1 & H.R.1). After the Big Election Lie and Insurrection, it's time for a healthier system.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

4 years

Good news: Senate Dems will introduce a sweeping pro-democracy bill today as the first bill under their new majority. Includes automatic voter registration, rehabbing Voting Rights Act, and more. It's the Dem answer to Trump's assault on our democracy:

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Michael Sozan

3 years

A compelling roadmap to fixing the U.S. Senate. A functioning Senate will strengthen our nation for everyone, but especially long-marginalized communities. Please read this important column by @NormOrnstein .

@NormOrnstein

Norman Ornstein

3 years

Fix the Senate, save the country:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

Fellow democracy warriors: don’t let journalists/pundits tell us that voters don’t care about saving democracy. They do care! According to a new NBC poll, the top concern for voters is threats to democracy (more than economy, jobs, healthcare).

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Again, Greg Sargent @ThePlumLineGS gets it right. To save our democracy, Democrats must pass #ForThePeopleAct #HR1 #S1 . Critically important after the Big Lie, insurrection, and impeachment acquittal (and with Repub state legislators pushing a slew of voter suppression bills).

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

4 years

The correct Dem answer to the craven GOP acquittal of Trump: * Pass H.R.1 and S.1 * Be ready to nuke the filibuster to get the package into law Dems have an obligation to accept the implications of GOP radicalization -- and to act on them. My take:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

When @Sen_JoeManchin and @SenatorSinema agree to reform the filibuster to save our democracy, as Greg Sargent says, any reluctant Democratic senators surely will follow.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

3 years

I call bulls--t on the new hot take that numerous moderate Senate Dems also oppose doing away with the filibuster, so it's not just Manchin and Sinema. Get real. If Manchin embraced reforming or ending the filibuster, the whole caucus would get there:

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Everyone who cares about a fair/safe election should read this piece by @NormOrnstein . He has an important proposal: provide paper ballots to voters waiting in long lines at polling places. It makes good sense and could be the game-changer people have been seeking.

@NormOrnstein

Norman Ornstein

4 years

My latest:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

5 years

@Olivianuzzi E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E needs to read this. Powerful reporting. It's shocking that this is real life. I figured that Rudy Giuliani was unhinged but this brings everything to another level.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

5 years

@RonWyden @SenateFinance Thanks for the continued leadership of your and your staff in helping to protect our elections and root out corruption.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

Really important column from Greg Sargent ( @ThePlumLineGS ). Biden needs to forcefully do everything in his power to have the Senate pass voting rights legislation. No more delays. No Christmas recess for the Senate until the legislation gets passed.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

3 years

How can Biden lead at the democracy summit without telling the truth about the authoritarian threat at home -- that it comes from the right and GOP? Will he really paper over his own party's utter failure to safeguard against that threat? My latest:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

While we’re all watching Trump’s extreme MAGA allies battle it out for House speaker, don’t forget we need full accountability for Trump’s extremist lawyers. Greg Sargent writes about it.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

2 years

Will Trump's coup plotters ever face real accountability? John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani are facing possible disbarment over the coup. People close to the process are pushing for broad sanctions, but they tell me they're uncertain whether it'll happen:

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

3 years

@RonBrownstein More indispensable reporting. Republican state legislators are jamming their voter suppression bills though on almost completely partisan lines. Yet @Sen_JoeManchin is demanding bipartisanship on #ForThePeopleAct #S1 , a popular bill in WV. Makes no sense and endangers democracy.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

Absolutely right.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

4 years

@jaketapper Why do you say it’s probably a bridge too far? The actual numbers say otherwise. Please don’t give the Trump campaign extra ammunition to falsely cry fraud.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

10 months

@MayorBowser The warning signs were coming for many months. On your watch, Chinatown/Penn Quarter have almost fallen off a cliff. Businesses and residents have been begging for help. As a former supporter of yours, it’s incredibly disappointing to see this.

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@michaelsozan

Michael Sozan

2 years

A must-read, especially if you’re stuck with extreme conservative family members right now.

@GregTSargent

Greg Sargent

2 years

I wrote about Tucker Carlson's year of getting things wrong: *He badly misjudged Ukraine's will to resist *Jan 6 and Mar-a-Lago revelations demolished his propaganda *He wrongly predicted "humiliating" Dem loss *Bolsonaro ousted Free article from me:

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