If you’re looking for a source of hope right now, here’s one: when we work together, we can defend our democracy and our communities against any threat they face. Here’s just a few examples of how members like you made a positive impact during the first Trump Administration. 

1) Exposing Illegal Election Interference Hush Money Payment 

In 2018, Common Cause filed complaints over the $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about her relationship with Donald Trump ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The investigation led to Trump’s personal lawyer and known “fix-guy”, Michael Cohen, serving three years in federal prison for campaign finance violations after he admitted to paying Daniels off on Donald Trump’s behalf.  

And earlier this year, Trump was found guilty on 34 felonies for keeping the American people in the dark about payments that should have been disclosed under the law. We’re thankful for the public servants and jurors who’ve weathered the storm to give voters the answers we deserve.  

2) Shutting down the Pence-Kobach Voter Suppression Commission 

Shortly after taking office, Trump set up a commission led by then-Vice President Mike Pence and notorious vote-suppressor Kris Kobach to hunt for “voter fraud.” They forced states to turn over voter data, spread falsehoods about our elections, and pushed for dangerous new laws to restrict voting rights.  

So Common Cause sprang into action, rallying the public and exposing the Pence-Kobach commission’s harmful plans. Thanks to widespread resistance and our mobilization efforts to resist any attempt to silence the voice of voters, the administration eventually disbanded the commission in January 2018.   

3) Defending the U.S. Postal Service

As election officials grappled with how to run a free, fair, and secure election in the midst of a pandemic, one crucial tool at their disposal was vote-by-mail – which gave voters the option of casting their ballots safely from home, rather than risking exposure to the coronavirus by voting in person. 

 That’s why we sounded the alarm back in May 2020, when Louis DeJoy, a right-wing megadonor with no previous USPS experience—and with major investments in its private competitors—was appointed as Postmaster General.  Right away, he introduced sweeping changes that slowed mail delivery, putting vote-by-mail at risk during a critical election year. 

With your help, we mobilized thousands of voices and delayed many of DeJoy’s cuts, protecting mail service for millions of voters. Now, President Biden has nominated 2 members to the USPS Board of Governors who will have the power to fire DeJoy once confirmed – and it’s critical they get a fair hearing. 

4) Stopping a Census citizenship question 

 The U.S. Census is crucial to ensuring that communities across the country get the representation and resources that they deserve, which is why an accurate count is critically important. 

But in 2019, Trump and his administration attempted to rig the 2020 Census for political gain by adding an untested, last-minute question about citizenship status. Common Cause filed a lawsuit in response – and released evidence showing it was part of Trump’s plot to manipulate redistricting to be “advantageous to Republicans and Non-Hispanic Whites.” 

Thanks to hundreds of thousands of calls, emails, and petition signatures from Common Cause members, we helped mobilize nationwide opposition to Trump’s nefarious scheme. And in June of that year, the Supreme Court blocked the addition of the citizenship question, ensuring a fairer and more accurate Census count. 

5) Protecting the Mueller Investigation

From the moment the Department of Justice began its independent investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election – and whether President Trump or his campaign were involved – the former President did all he could to shut down and obstruct any attempts at accountability. 

Common Cause held firm in defense of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation – demanding that Congress stand strong against any efforts to interfere, calling on news outlets to televise the hearings, and sending a copy of Mueller’s final report to thousands of households so they knew what he uncovered. 

Nobody is above the law, especially not the President. Together, we must continue serving as a crucial voice for accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.