📢 Protect Democracy News — January 4, 2026
🗽 News & Actions — January 4, 2026 . Our democracy is on the line. Stay informed and take action to hold leaders accountable.
🌟 Power belongs to the people—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Subscribe to Defend & Protect Democracy for free or go monthly to fuel grassroots, people-powered change.
Every action counts in the fight to protect our rights and freedoms. Today in Protect Democracy we’re featuring January 4, 2026 news and critical calls-to-action. Freedom is a daily act of advocacy and holding our leaders accountable to the will of the people.
Together, we can realize a democracy that represents, reflects, and responds to all of us.
🗳️ For years, the voices of everyday Americans—especially in Black and Brown communities—have been sidelined by billionaire influence, special interests, and coordinated voter suppression.
Now the threat is unmistakable. An extremist agenda is working to hollow out our democratic institutions, weaken the rule of law, and erase the rights that ensure every voice matters and every vote is counted.
This is not a moment for silence or delay. It’s time to stand up—defend our freedoms, protect the right to vote, and reclaim democracy for the people. Join us to hold leaders accountable, push back against authoritarianism, and mobilize voters to safeguard our shared future.
Protect Democracy - News Briefs
🤖 Democrats’ divide over AI frames a debate for 2028
What happens when artificial intelligence becomes the next major political battleground? Democrats are preparing for a looming fight over AI policy as the 2028 election approaches, with concerns about job disruption, misinformation, and corporate power. Party leaders warn that without clear rules, tech companies could shape democracy itself. The debate signals how emerging technology is rapidly becoming a core political issue. — Axios
📱 Anti-Palestinian Billionaires Can Now Control What TikTok Users See
What if one app connected tech billionaires, geopolitics, and war? “The TikTok deal announced on Thursday poses a fundamental threat to free and honest discourse about Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Under the reported deal, the Chinese company that owns the short-video social media app, ByteDance, will transfer control of TikTok’s algorithm and other U.S. operations to a new consortium of investors led by the U.S. technology company Oracle.” This raises urgent questions about surveillance, propaganda, and accountability in the digital age. — The Intercept
🗣️ How Democrats used one word to turn the tide against Trump
Can a single word really change the political narrative? Democrats strategically adopted a specific word to reframe public perception of Donald Trump. “Democrats used “affordability” to harness worries about the cost of living and sweep to victory in elections this November. And once that happened, references to “affordability” as a stand-alone term skyrocketed.” The messaging shift helped unify party talking points and cut through voter fatigue. — The Seattle Times
🏛️ Illinois members of Congress are latest to tour immigration facilities after judge’s ruling
What are lawmakers seeing behind closed doors at immigration facilities? Members of Congress from Illinois toured detention and processing centers following a judge’s ruling that expanded oversight access. The visits aim to assess conditions, treatment of migrants, and compliance with federal law. “While the Illinois Democrats noted improvements, they raised concerns about toilets without adequate privacy, few showers, and no medical staff on site.” Advocates say firsthand exposure is critical to accountability and reform. — The Seattle Times
⚖️ Justice Department funding for human trafficking survivors faces uncertainty
What happens to survivors when funding disappears? “Anti-trafficking advocates say the US Department of Justice’s failure to spend nearly $90m appropriated by Congress is impeding law-enforcement investigations and exposing survivors to homelessness and the risk of deportation, jail time or re-exploitation.” Advocates warn reduced funding would leave survivors without housing, legal aid, and medical care. “Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois said it fit a pattern by the Trump administration of “disregarding congressionally appropriated funds intended to target the most heinous crimes and national security threats – including human trafficking.” — The Guardian
💥 Urgent Calls to Action to Protect Democracy:
Click here to Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stock While in Office
Click here to Demand Congress Reject “Trump-Kennedy Center” Rename
Click here to Tell Your Governor: Reject the Federal School Voucher Program
Click here to Tell Congress: An Oath to the Constitution Requires Saying No to Illegal Orders
Click here to Tell Apple & Google CEOs: End your contracts with ICE NOW.
BONUS
Register to vote, vote, and help elect leaders that will ensure safe, secure elections and are committed to protecting democracy. Share ballot and voting information with friends and family.
Donate to these champions doing the heavy lifting for our rights and freedoms:
This is our why
For nearly 250 years, democracy has been the lifeblood of this nation—not handed down by kings or bought by billionaires, but built and sustained by everyday people. It lives in our families and neighborhoods, in classrooms and clinics, on job sites and in voting lines. It’s the teacher guiding the next generation, the nurse caring for their community, the worker keeping society moving, and the voter who refuses to be silenced.
Power has always belonged to the people. That’s why protecting democracy is not optional—it’s our shared responsibility. When we defend it, we defend one another, our freedoms, and the future we are shaping for generations yet to come.
Join the crew and be part of a community of people who share your interests. Defend and Protect Democracy subscriber benefits include:
Free Subscription: The newsletter is free.
Monthly or Annual Subscriber: Ability to comment and engage with posts. Access to archives and subscriber chats.
Founding Member: A permanent paid subscription and our deepest gratitude for your support.
How do we fight Fascism?
Hope
Hope is a powerful weapon against fascism, serving as both a shield and a rallying cry in the face of fear and oppression. While fascism thrives on division, despair, and apathy, hope inspires unity, action, and resilience. Hope empowers us to envision a society built on equality, justice, and freedom, motivating us to take meaningful steps to protect these values.
Respect
Respect is a formidable weapon against fascism, countering its foundation of hatred and dehumanization with dignity and inclusivity. By leading with respect, we create a society where collaboration and compassion overpower fear and division, rendering fascism powerless in the face of unity.
Unity
Unity is one of the most powerful weapons against fascism, as it dismantles the divide-and-conquer tactics that authoritarian regimes rely on to maintain power.
🗽The strength of a nation is not its ability to fight wars, but rather by its ability to prevent them. - Gene Roddenberry
Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United
What We’ve Built Together at People Power United
✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics
💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.
🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly Defend and Protect Democracy subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.