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michaelangeloni.bsky.social
Michael Angeloni
@michaelangeloni.bsky.social
37 followers 49 following 6 posts
Research @ @protectdemocracy.org

📍DC
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Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
Crime is real, and it affects Americans from all walks of life. It’s also an autocrat’s favorite pretext for consolidating power. NEW from @michaelangeloni.bsky.social on how genuine concerns about crime are exploited and how to flip the script on this autocratic tactic.
How authoritarians use crime as a pretext
The ultimate cover-story in Hungary, Mexico, El Salvador, Russia, and beyond
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
November 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
Invoking crime is a tried-and-true vehicle for authoritarians to consolidate and hold onto power. @michaelangeloni.bsky.social pulls lessons from abroad on how autocratic leaders exploit genuine concerns about crime to advance their own agendas. https://protdem.org/4ipCNEq
How authoritarians use crime as a pretext The ultimate cover-story in Hungary, Mexico, El Salvador, Russia, and beyond
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
kimlanelaw.bsky.social
The Guardian gets it. The real importance of Orban's visit to see Trump was getting financial backing for Orban's tough upcoming election campaign. And all indications are he got it. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on special Trump treatment for Hungary: roll on the next election | Editorial
Editorial: As polls suggest that Viktor Orbán’s authoritarian rule is under threat, Brussels can only wait and hope
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
Between 2015 and 2023, support for restoring Poland’s democracy grew even as the autocratic government tightened its grip. How did their pro-democracy forces endure amid darkness? Here’s what we can learn from Poland’s democratic comeback. https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/keep-going
Keep going
A story of resilience from Poland
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
For Serbia’s autocratic leader, President Vučić, delegitimizing any and all sources of opposition has become a top priority. Here’s how pro-democracy forces have fought to pierce his veil of legitimacy: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/leave-the-door-open-for-defectors
Leave the door open for defectors
Serbia shows how backlash to corruption can swell pro-democracy movements
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
October 26, 2025 at 6:08 PM
michaelangeloni.bsky.social
This time last year, I was in Belgrade just before Serbia’s ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations erupted — rattling the country’s strongman.

Read more about how they’ve exposed the regime’s corruption & energized the public in this wk’s Democracy Atlas from @protectdemocracy.org below:
protectdemocracy.org Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · Oct 23
NEW: Over the past year, Serbia’s renewed pro-democracy mobilization has rattled the ruling party and revealed President Vučić’s vulnerabilities. Here’s how the country’s pro-democracy forces have regained traction: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/leave-the-door-open-for-defectors
Rule 7: Leave the door open for defectors How Serbia’s pro-democracy forces harnessed backlash → Leverage public outrage and demands for accountability. Give defectors a place to land. Do not play the blame game or say “I told you so.” Harness their disillusionment to grow the movement. Create space for disclosure. Give those who benefit from the regime space to defect or discreetly share their experiences. Channel the outrage of defectors. Welcome others – including voters who put the autocrat in office – and help them find a role to play. Lesson Learned: Serbia’s pro-democracy forces were able to regain traction when they opened the door to bringing newcomers into the fold. By identifying a mutual rallying cry against the government’s endemic corruption, those looking to restore democracy have harnessed a renewed movement toward greater government accountability — challenging the entrenched rule of President Aleksandar Vučić.
October 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
NEW: Over the past year, Serbia’s renewed pro-democracy mobilization has rattled the ruling party and revealed President Vučić’s vulnerabilities. Here’s how the country’s pro-democracy forces have regained traction: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/leave-the-door-open-for-defectors
Rule 7: Leave the door open for defectors How Serbia’s pro-democracy forces harnessed backlash → Leverage public outrage and demands for accountability. Give defectors a place to land. Do not play the blame game or say “I told you so.” Harness their disillusionment to grow the movement. Create space for disclosure. Give those who benefit from the regime space to defect or discreetly share their experiences. Channel the outrage of defectors. Welcome others – including voters who put the autocrat in office – and help them find a role to play. Lesson Learned: Serbia’s pro-democracy forces were able to regain traction when they opened the door to bringing newcomers into the fold. By identifying a mutual rallying cry against the government’s endemic corruption, those looking to restore democracy have harnessed a renewed movement toward greater government accountability — challenging the entrenched rule of President Aleksandar Vučić.
October 23, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
NEW lesson from abroad: How Zimbabwe’s democratic forces continue to take a stand — even as they face a daunting environment for dissent. Dig into this latest edition of Democracy Atlas: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/remember-autocrats-are-not-invincible
Rule 6: Remember — autocrats are not invincible. But be careful. How Zimbabwe’s pro-democracy forces expose autocratic weaknesses → Public backlash diminishes the autocrat, but proceed carefully. Call out their cruelty and hypocrisy. The suffering they cause and their failure to deliver on promises provide an opening for pro-democracy voices to shift public opinion. Stay activated. Autocrats want to shut out any opposing voices. Don’t fall into their trap of disillusionment — even entrenched rulers are vulnerable to public backlash. Guard against division. Autocrats commonly infiltrate opposition groups to sow discord and dismantle them from within. Beware of efforts to split or shut down the opposition party or civil society. Protect sensitive information. Use caution with sensitive information to help keep the pro-democracy movement secure and intact. Lesson Learned: Zimbabwe is a reminder that even the most entrenched authoritarians are susceptible to backlash when they don’t adequately respond to the needs of the people. When pro-democracy forces seize on windows of opportunity to shift public opinion, all while remaining exceedingly careful in their approach, they can weaken the autocrat’s grip on power.
October 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
Pro-democracy civil society organizations have helped Nigeria write an impressive story of sustained civilian rule amid setbacks and decades of military dictatorship. Here’s what we can learn from their journey about holding the government accountable:
Show — don’t tell — how things work and what is trustworthy
Nigeria’s civil society groups leverage transparency to build public trust
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
September 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
Cerin Lindgrensavage makes apportionments — the Trump admin’s budget maneuvers — easy to understand in this conversation with Chris Geidner. She explains the White House's attempts to hide what they’re doing with our tax dollars and what we can do about it. Watch the discussion here:
Impoundment, the power of the purse, and the Trump admin — with Protect Democracy’s Cerin Lindgrensavage
"They've said that they can unilaterally cancel funds, and I certainly think that that's unconstitutional, to say the least."
www.lawdork.com
September 6, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
BREAKING: A federal appeals court just denied the Trump administration’s emergency motion to block Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter’s reinstatement to the FTC. This is a win for accountability, transparency, and the rule of law, but the fight isn’t over. Follow the case:
https://protdem.org/4mKJ9zy
Appeals Court Reinstates FTC Commissioner Ruling blocks Trump’s illegal removal, reinforcing guardrails on executive power Amid the efforts by the Trump administration to illegally abolish independent agencies, including the Federal Reserve, I’m heartened the court has recognized that he is not above the law. rebecca kelly slaughter federal trade commissioner I’m very eager to get back first thing tomorrow to the work I was entrusted to do on behalf of the American people. rebecca kelly slaughter federal trade commissioner
September 2, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
Cambodia's pro-democracy movement teaches us a powerful lesson of how it’s often ordinary citizens who become unexpected leaders, with every act of resistance helping in the fight to restore democracy. https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-4-leadership-lives-in-everyone
Democracy Atlas rule 4: Leadership lives in everyone
Cambodia demonstrates the value of leaders from all backgrounds
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
August 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
Democracy Atlas Rule 4 - Cambodia’s civic leaders embody the virtues of active and engaged citizens by harnessing leadership from all backgrounds to continue driving change, even in the face of continued repression. https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-4-leadership-lives-in-everyone
Rule 4: Leadership lives in everyone Learning from Cambodia’s unexpected pro-democracy leaders → Courageous leaders from all backgrounds can drive change 1 - Support leaders from all backgrounds. Lean into the diversity of leadership in the U.S. by creating space for civic groups and community voices to organize. 2 - Build relationships with local leaders. Help governors, mayors, and state legislators work alongside local community leaders as bulwarks against authoritarianism and protect them from retaliatory action at the national level. 3 - Boost endurance through action. Authoritarians thrive when citizens remain passive, so every pro-democracy action — no matter the size or scope — weakens the autocrat. Lesson learned Across Cambodia, leaders from all walks of life — inside and outside of politics — have taken a stand in pursuit of pro-democracy change, even as they face threats from an increasingly repressive government. In authoritarian systems, it’s often ordinary citizens who become unexpected leaders, so every act of resistance helps in the fight to restore democracy. Subscribe at IfYouCanKeepIt.org
August 28, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
ianbassin.bsky.social
This is a dark moment for our democracy, but it is far from the first.

I've been reflecting on how we need not only strategies for this moment, but mindsets.

I offer four ideas for those here, and hopefully some inspiration from those who came before. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-hard-w...
The hard-won hope of the long defeat
A mindset for a dark time
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
August 27, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
New in The Democracy Atlas, @michaelangeloni.bsky.social shares a lesson from Mexico: Legal tactics alone are not enough to stop a would-be autocrat. Pro-democracy forces must also respond with a political movement that can win. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-3-win...
Rule 3: Win Lawsuits and Hearts and Minds Learning from Mexico’s pro-democracy shortcomings → Winning lawsuits is key but public is indispensable. 1. Offer a positive alternative vision: Don't just oppose the autocratic leader. Retake the public narrative and present a better vision for the future beyond the status quo. 2. Focus on people, not just processes: Clearly explain how a renewed democratic government will address the real-world needs of the people. 3. Inspire action against autocratic harms: Motivate voter participation while also highlighting the concrete harms from autocratic rule. 4. Prioritize people over party: After a setback, remain resilient and refocused on what is best for the people and their future, not just your party. Lesson learned: Despite some successful legal challenges to his power grabs, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador maintained public support by delivering for his base — regardless of whether or not he followed democratic norms. Mexico’s experience reminds us that pro-democracy forces must offer a better vision beyond the rejected status quo to compete with the lure of autocratic populism. Subscribe at IfYouCanKeepIt.org
August 21, 2025 at 4:41 PM
michaelangeloni.bsky.social
From this wk’s Democracy Atlas: “Supporters of democracy must offer a compelling vision to compete with the lure of autocratic populism. Because democracy cannot be defended — or restored — if only the autocrat captures the hearts and minds of the people.” Check out below! ⬇️
August 20, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
NEW Democracy Atlas from Mexico. Rule 3: Winning lawsuits can help slow the authoritarian slide, but it takes winning hearts and minds to stop it. https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-3-win-lawsuits-and-hearts-and
Democracy Atlas rule 3: Win lawsuits and hearts and minds
Mexico’s experience shows the importance of balancing law and politics
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
August 20, 2025 at 9:44 PM
michaelangeloni.bsky.social
📍Riga, Latvia 🇱🇻

As the WH rolls out the red carpet (literally!) for Putin, I’ve been thinking about a trip I made to Riga back in 2022.

Latvians with memories of authoritarian rule are clear-eyed about the threat posed by Russian revanchism. As should all advocates of global democracy today.
August 17, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
Help us spread the word! Share these pro-democracy strategies and challenges with your networks using this link: share.protectdemocracy.org/toolkit/afbc...
Rule 2: Be unified. Be visible.
Turkey’s experience shows the importance of a single, united voice
share.protectdemocracy.org
August 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
michaelangeloni.bsky.social
An autocrat obsessed with artificially low interest rates (& undermining economic data), attacking rivals, and consolidating power — sounds familar!

Check out this wk’s Democracy Atlas to learn more about Erdoğan’s autocratic rule & how Turkey’s pro-democracy forces have united in their response ⬇️
protectdemocracy.org Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · Aug 14
NEW Democracy Atlas - Rule two: Be unified. Be visible. Turkey’s pro-democracy opposition demonstrates the value of uniting around common ground for greater impact. The story of how unlikely alliances have put a dent in Erdoğan’s image of invincibility. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/democracy-...
Democracy Atlas Eight rules of antiauthoritarianism Rule two: Be unified. Be visible. How Turkey’s coordinated, diverse alliances challenge the autocrat → Unite around common ground for greater impact. 1. Demonstrate unity. Form a broad coalition that includes anyone who opposes the autocrat, even former opponents. Find common ground around which to unite and organize. 2. Speak with a consistent message. Be visible and vocal, ensuring your message is unified and consistent in the face of a seemingly omnipresent autocrat. 3. Don’t split your power: Stay unified, especially when it comes time for elections. Commit to minimizing vote-splitting in order to maximize pro-democracy power. 4. Support independent media outlets. Counter the government's efforts to co-opt the media by supporting independent outlets, alternative media sources, and influencers. 5. Present a clear alternative. Demonstrate what a viable alternative to the autocrat looks like. Lesson learned: In Turkey, unlikely political alliances made up of those committed to restoring democracy have helped the opposition mount viable electoral challenges to longtime ruler, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. By leveraging their unity and the ruling party’s growing unpopularity, pro-democracy forces have put a dent in Erdoğan’s image of invincibility. Subscribe at IfYouCanKeepIt.org
August 14, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
NEW Democracy Atlas - Rule two: Be unified. Be visible. Turkey’s pro-democracy opposition demonstrates the value of uniting around common ground for greater impact. The story of how unlikely alliances have put a dent in Erdoğan’s image of invincibility. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/democracy-...
Democracy Atlas Eight rules of antiauthoritarianism Rule two: Be unified. Be visible. How Turkey’s coordinated, diverse alliances challenge the autocrat → Unite around common ground for greater impact. 1. Demonstrate unity. Form a broad coalition that includes anyone who opposes the autocrat, even former opponents. Find common ground around which to unite and organize. 2. Speak with a consistent message. Be visible and vocal, ensuring your message is unified and consistent in the face of a seemingly omnipresent autocrat. 3. Don’t split your power: Stay unified, especially when it comes time for elections. Commit to minimizing vote-splitting in order to maximize pro-democracy power. 4. Support independent media outlets. Counter the government's efforts to co-opt the media by supporting independent outlets, alternative media sources, and influencers. 5. Present a clear alternative. Demonstrate what a viable alternative to the autocrat looks like. Lesson learned: In Turkey, unlikely political alliances made up of those committed to restoring democracy have helped the opposition mount viable electoral challenges to longtime ruler, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. By leveraging their unity and the ruling party’s growing unpopularity, pro-democracy forces have put a dent in Erdoğan’s image of invincibility. Subscribe at IfYouCanKeepIt.org
August 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
davidaweinberg.bsky.social
Lessons from Hungary: "Under an authoritarian government... the onslaught of changes to the electoral system — and society as a whole — may come quickly and be extreme. Do not waste time developing a perfect strategy." By @michaelangeloni.bsky.social: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/rule-1-res...
Rule 1: Resist. Then adapt
Hungary teaches us how to change tactics to get ahead of shifting attacks
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
August 11, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
We pulled together 8 invaluable lessons from democracy defenders worldwide who have grappled with authoritarian threats in our new series, "Democracy Atlas." Subscribe for lessons learned and join us in drawing strength and inspiration from these stories. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/eight-rule...
Eight rules of antiauthoritarianism
Introducing the Democracy Atlas
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
August 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
Another shakedown, the more you cave to the autocrat the more empowered he feels.
August 8, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Reposted by Michael Angeloni
protectdemocracy.org
Our country’s forever redistricting wars are heating up again. But there’s a way out of this doom loop — proportional representation — and it’s not as complicated or hard to achieve as one might think.

Join us in spreading the word: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/how-to-end...
How to end the forever redistricting wars Gerrymandering is made possible by this one choice
August 8, 2025 at 8:40 PM