Blog post by LWVUS CEO Celina Steward (posted 7/3/25)

This Independence Day, Americans will likely gather for parades, fireworks, and barbeques, celebrating our democracy with familiar traditions. But while many will spend the holiday waving flags, the Trump administration and its allies are attempting to systematically dismantle the very reason for this holiday and put our country and the people in it, Americans, in harm's way.  

As CEO of the League of Women Voters of the US, it’s my professional and patriotic duty today to issue an urgent call. And while this is a rare move for our century-old organization, it is necessary.  

It is not an overstatement to say that we are in a constitutional crisis. While celebrating July 4 is part of our culture and tradition, we are in a new age, requiring us to not only pay attention but find ways to fight back — now. 

The signs are unmistakable. We've witnessed an administration that defies federal court orders, amplifies voter fraud disinformation while restricting ballot access, allows innocent people to be snatched off the streets in broad daylight without any due process, and uses government power to silence dissent. Courts have rolled back voting protections and civil rights while operating with no accountability to the public they serve. 

This isn't temporary turbulence that we can white-knuckle our way through. This is methodical erosion of our democratic values and policies. And there has been little resistance on either side of the aisle in Congress. And quite frankly, the more we stand by just watching, the more we hand over our democracy day by day.  

Please read more to learn how you can engage with your democracy at this critical time HERE:

https://www.lwv.org/blog/independence-day-democracy-needs-defenders-not-cheerleaders