The People’s Watchdog Newsletter - April 11

This week’s Common Cause newsletter is just a 7.5 minute read at 850 words.

Saturday, April 11, 2026 👋 Hi Pamela! Happy Saturday. In the Watchdog Newsletter, we share what you need to know to hold power accountable from the nonpartisan source you can trust. This watchdog doesn’t give in to pressure from presidents. This week’s Common Cause newsletter is just a 7.5 minute read at 800 words. 🎙️ An Interview with Michael Cohen Yes, that Michael Cohen. Standing up for our rights means showing up in every space where these conversations are happening. Common Cause’s President and CEO, Virginia Kase Solomón, joined Michael Cohen on his podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about voting rights, accountability, and the challenges currently facing our country. The discussion breaks down the real barriers voters are up against and what it will take to ensure our elections remain fair, accessible, and secure. At Common Cause, we’re bringing these conversations to broader audiences because true democracy requires reaching people where they are and making sure voters know what’s at stake. To listen to the podcast, click here. 🚨 It’s Time to Invoke the 25th President Trump’s increasingly erratic behavior has made it clear he’s unfit to serve. Common Cause is calling on Vice President Vance and Trump's Cabinet to immediately take action under the 25th Amendment and begin the transfer of power. This part of the Constitution was added to protect our country if a president is unable to carry out the duties of the office. It gives the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet the authority to step in and transfer power if needed. While parts of the amendment have been used before — like temporarily handing over power during medical procedures — this specific part of the 25th Amendment has never been used. People should be able to live their lives without fear that an increasingly unstable president will put them in danger. An unfit president threatens everything from our national security to our economic stability. The good news is our Constitution has protections for moments exactly like this — now our leaders must act. Every minute they delay is a threat to our country and our democracy. Join us in demanding Trump’s Cabinet and Vice President invoke the 25th Amendment NOW to remove him from office. ⚖️ We’re Suing Trump—Again Common Cause is taking the Trump administration to court to stop a new executive order that targets voting by mail. We’ve joined our partners to file a lawsuit challenging this order because it would make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. Mail voting is trusted and wildly popular. The president himself even voted by mail in Florida’s election last month. If voting by mail is good enough for the president, it’s good enough for the voters. This executive order would mess with mail ballots, confuse voters, and try to dictate how states run their own elections. To put it plainly, this executive order is about making voting harder – so the President and his party don’t have to face the will of the people at the ballot box this November. That’s why we’re fighting back in court. Common Cause is suing to stop this order, protect your right to vote by mail, and ensure that every eligible American can participate in our elections this November. 🛑 Blocking Trump’s National Voter Database Your personal information shouldn’t be put at risk just because you’re registered to vote. That’s why Common Cause is stopping the creation of a national voter database. To date, Common Cause has sued in 16 states and Washington, D.C. And we’re already winning. In Massachusetts, Common Cause just helped secure a major legal victory when a federal court dismissed the Trump demand for voters’ data. We can’t trust the Trump Administration to handle our personal data with care – and this data grab will open the door to more DOGE-style data breaches and misuse. It also represents a major shift away from how elections are currently run at the state and local level, where there are stronger safeguards in place to protect voters. Common Cause is urging the courts to block this effort before it moves forward everywhere. Protecting our democracy means more than just making sure people can vote. It also means making sure your personal information is safe and your rights are respected. 📱 Our Favorite Post 👀 ICYMI We're working so hard to protect our democracy, we could write you a novel instead of a newsletter. Instead, here are the top headlines you don't want to miss: California 🐻: In Los Angeles, we testified at a congressional hearing defending the integrity of our elections ahead of the upcoming midterms. Read more. Florida 🍊: Common Cause is opposing policies that make it harder for Floridians to vote. That’s why we joined a lawsuit challenging a new law backed by Gov. DeSantis that creates new barriers to the ballot. Learn more. Georgia 🍑: We’re raising concerns about the expansion of DNA collection from immigrants, which poses serious risks to all of our privacy and civil rights. We’re demanding clear limits and protections on government surveillance. Read more. Rhode Island ⚓: In the Ocean State, we’re backing efforts to protect access to the ballot amid the federal push for stricter voter ID laws. Learn more here. 📊 By the Numbers President Trump is quickly racking up a massive tab on golf, ballrooms, and illegal wars — and we’re paying the price. This isn’t what the people want. Tell Congress: we’re done footing the bill. No $200 billion for war in Iran. 🗞️ Kicker Quote 👕 Wear Your Values If you're not following Common Cause, you’re not getting the truth. 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