Authoritarianism is brittle. Autocrats want you to believe they are all-powerful and unstoppable, but it‘s just a confidence game. A self-perpetuating bluff. Today the Hungarians showed just how weak and empty Orbánism always was. Trumpism is next.

NEW: @michaelangeloni.bsky.social writes why we should all be watching the results of Hungary's elections tomorrow and the two possible outcomes to watch for: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-budapest-the-bellwether

IS BUDAPEST THE BELLWETHER? The 2nd most important election for democracy this year (after US midterms) is happening Sunday. Orbán wrote the authoritarian playbook — if he's ousted, as polls suggest, it's a breaking point. But if he digs in? Buckle up. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-budapes...

Trump’s favorite autocrat, Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, is facing a formidable election challenge this Sunday. @michaelangeloni.bsky.social covers the implications of Hungary’s election for the global fight against authoritarianism. Read his briefing here: https://protdem.org/4ck3Vlm

All eyes are on the midterms as Trump uses the gov's full force to supercharge election lies in case he doesn't like the results. NEW: We just published a roadmap for journalists, advocates, and voters outlining what we can do about it. Join us, start here: 🔗 https://protdem.org/executive-override

You can, in fact, represent America without endorsing the current administration, and likewise you can cheer American athletes without endorsing the current administration.

Not even 48 hrs into the games & the president is already going after Team USA. As @jonsteinman.bsky.social & I write for @thebulwark.com, we need to uplift our athletes who speak out against the administration’s lawlessness on the world stage: www.thebulwark.com/p/lets-not-s...

A really decent think thru of the tensions of being a sports fan and wanting to buy into the Olympic spirit and what that can look like in the age of Trump, with some solid practical tips and some cool sports history. From @jonsteinman.bsky.social and @michaelangeloni.bsky.social

No, the flags and the cheers are not for Donald Trump. @jonsteinman.bsky.social and @michaelangeloni.bsky.social on supporting American athletes without supporting this administration:

Authoritarians have long used international sports to promote their own supposed “strength.” Ours may even try to claim gold medals for himself. But history shows we can boo him while still cheering on our athletes. My latest with @michaelangeloni.bsky.com www.thebulwark.com/p/lets-not-s...

Crime is real, and it affects Americans from all walks of life. It’s also an autocrat’s favorite pretext for consolidating power. NEW from @michaelangeloni.bsky.social on how genuine concerns about crime are exploited and how to flip the script on this autocratic tactic.

Invoking crime is a tried-and-true vehicle for authoritarians to consolidate and hold onto power. @michaelangeloni.bsky.social pulls lessons from abroad on how autocratic leaders exploit genuine concerns about crime to advance their own agendas. https://protdem.org/4ipCNEq

The Guardian gets it. The real importance of Orban's visit to see Trump was getting financial backing for Orban's tough upcoming election campaign. And all indications are he got it. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Between 2015 and 2023, support for restoring Poland’s democracy grew even as the autocratic government tightened its grip. How did their pro-democracy forces endure amid darkness? Here’s what we can learn from Poland’s democratic comeback. https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/keep-going

For Serbia’s autocratic leader, President Vučić, delegitimizing any and all sources of opposition has become a top priority. Here’s how pro-democracy forces have fought to pierce his veil of legitimacy: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/leave-the-door-open-for-defectors

This time last year, I was in Belgrade just before Serbia’s ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations erupted — rattling the country’s strongman. Read more about how they’ve exposed the regime’s corruption & energized the public in this wk’s Democracy Atlas from @protectdemocracy.org below:

NEW: Over the past year, Serbia’s renewed pro-democracy mobilization has rattled the ruling party and revealed President Vučić’s vulnerabilities. Here’s how the country’s pro-democracy forces have regained traction: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/leave-the-door-open-for-defectors

NEW lesson from abroad: How Zimbabwe’s democratic forces continue to take a stand — even as they face a daunting environment for dissent. Dig into this latest edition of Democracy Atlas: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/remember-autocrats-are-not-invincible

Pro-democracy civil society organizations have helped Nigeria write an impressive story of sustained civilian rule amid setbacks and decades of military dictatorship. Here’s what we can learn from their journey about holding the government accountable:

Cerin Lindgrensavage makes apportionments — the Trump admin’s budget maneuvers — easy to understand in this conversation with Chris Geidner. She explains the White House's attempts to hide what they’re doing with our tax dollars and what we can do about it. Watch the discussion here:

BREAKING: A federal appeals court just denied the Trump administration’s emergency motion to block Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter’s reinstatement to the FTC. This is a win for accountability, transparency, and the rule of law, but the fight isn’t over. Follow the case: https://protdem.org/4mKJ9zy

Cambodia's pro-democracy movement teaches us a powerful lesson of how it’s often ordinary citizens who become unexpected leaders, with every act of resistance helping in the fight to restore democracy. https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-4-leadership-lives-in-everyone

Democracy Atlas Rule 4 - Cambodia’s civic leaders embody the virtues of active and engaged citizens by harnessing leadership from all backgrounds to continue driving change, even in the face of continued repression. https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-4-leadership-lives-in-everyone

This is a dark moment for our democracy, but it is far from the first. I've been reflecting on how we need not only strategies for this moment, but mindsets. I offer four ideas for those here, and hopefully some inspiration from those who came before. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-hard-w...

New in The Democracy Atlas, @michaelangeloni.bsky.social shares a lesson from Mexico: Legal tactics alone are not enough to stop a would-be autocrat. Pro-democracy forces must also respond with a political movement that can win. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-3-win...

From this wk’s Democracy Atlas: “Supporters of democracy must offer a compelling vision to compete with the lure of autocratic populism. Because democracy cannot be defended — or restored — if only the autocrat captures the hearts and minds of the people.” Check out below! ⬇️

NEW Democracy Atlas from Mexico. Rule 3: Winning lawsuits can help slow the authoritarian slide, but it takes winning hearts and minds to stop it. https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-3-win-lawsuits-and-hearts-and

📍Riga, Latvia 🇱🇻 As the WH rolls out the red carpet (literally!) for Putin, I’ve been thinking about a trip I made to Riga back in 2022. Latvians with memories of authoritarian rule are clear-eyed about the threat posed by Russian revanchism. As should all advocates of global democracy today.

Help us spread the word! Share these pro-democracy strategies and challenges with your networks using this link: share.protectdemocracy.org/toolkit/afbc...

An autocrat obsessed with artificially low interest rates (& undermining economic data), attacking rivals, and consolidating power — sounds familar! Check out this wk’s Democracy Atlas to learn more about Erdoğan’s autocratic rule & how Turkey’s pro-democracy forces have united in their response ⬇️

NEW Democracy Atlas - Rule two: Be unified. Be visible. Turkey’s pro-democracy opposition demonstrates the value of uniting around common ground for greater impact. The story of how unlikely alliances have put a dent in Erdoğan’s image of invincibility. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/democracy-...

Lessons from Hungary: "Under an authoritarian government... the onslaught of changes to the electoral system — and society as a whole — may come quickly and be extreme. Do not waste time developing a perfect strategy." By @michaelangeloni.bsky.social: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-1-res...

We pulled together 8 invaluable lessons from democracy defenders worldwide who have grappled with authoritarian threats in our new series, "Democracy Atlas." Subscribe for lessons learned and join us in drawing strength and inspiration from these stories. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/eight-rule...

Another shakedown, the more you cave to the autocrat the more empowered he feels.

Our country’s forever redistricting wars are heating up again. But there’s a way out of this doom loop — proportional representation — and it’s not as complicated or hard to achieve as one might think. Join us in spreading the word: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/how-to-end...

Over the past 15 yrs, pro-democracy Hungarians have adapted to Orbán’s autocratic funhouse — where up is down, down is up, and the ruling party *somehow* always comes out on top. Check out the first issue of @protectdemocracy.org’s Democracy Atlas below for more ⬇️

Hungary’s democratic story is still unfolding. Here’s what we can learn from pro-democracy efforts to push back against Viktor Orbán’s autocratic impulses. New from our series “The Democracy Atlas” about others who have navigated authoritarian threats. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-1-res...

A would-be autocrat attempting to shore up power by steamrolling changes to election rules in advance of legislative elections. Where have we heard that before? www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-1-res...

First go at it here! For those looking for stories of democratic resilience, @protectdemocracy.org will be publishing a new series with stories of democracy from abroad — the Democracy Atlas — starting this week with Hungary. Check it out below !!

Our "Democracy Atlas" series offers 8 lessons from democracy defenders across the world who have navigated authoritarian threats. Learn how they have protected their democratic freedoms, avoid mistakes, & discover the role you can play in shaping U.S. history. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/eight-rule...