Wednesday, July 3, 2024 –  Leadership Now Project issued the following statement in response to the June 27th presidential debate.

Leadership Now Statement: A New Nominee to Protect Democracy

Leadership Now believes that a strong democracy is a crucial underpinning for a healthy economy and society.

The reelection of Donald Trump poses an existential threat to American democracy. His efforts to subvert the 2020 election, his unwillingness to accept the verdict of a jury trial, his plan to weaponize federal agencies to exact political retribution, his willingness to flout the rule of law, his undermining of America’s global alliances – each of these is disqualifying and, together, they pose an unprecedented threat. And with recent decisions of the Supreme Court, the checks on his power are considerably diminished.

As a result, Leadership Now has long made the case that Donald Trump must not return to the office of President. Since he has not been held to account by his Party or his allies, he must be defeated in the upcoming election.

President Biden and his administration have had considerable accomplishments over the past four years. They have passed multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation, including on climate and infrastructure, and strengthened relationships with our key international partners, helping to unwind some of the damage done to US democracy and international credibility during the first Trump administration.

What we witnessed Thursday night in the presidential debate was deeply concerning. Donald Trump repeatedly lied, preyed on our worst fears and grievances, and refused to commit to accepting the 2024 election results. Unfortunately, President Biden failed to effectively make the case against Trump, and we now fear the risk of a devastating loss in November. 

The threat of a second Trump term is such that we must ask President Biden and the Democratic Party to pass the torch of this year's presidential nomination to the next generation of highly capable Democrats. This process will undoubtedly be messy and is not without risk. However, the stakes are too high not to act.

The world is watching. As we anxiously observe elections in multiple other democracies, our allies and other democracies hope to see us at our best and are deeply concerned when we fail to live up to these high expectations.

We have heard from many individuals who share our deep concerns about the present course but fear speaking out. But speaking out is our duty in a democracy and the time to do it is now. 

We call on others to join us in making this urgent call.

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