WASHINGTON, D.C.— People For the American Way, an organization of 1.5 million members nationwide, is calling on moderators and producers of this week’s Democratic presidential primary debate to focus more attention on the issue of federal courts.  PFAW President Michael Keegan released the following statement:

“Our federal courts should be the center of attention because of Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on the rule of law, but we’re still not hearing much in the presidential debates about the courts or how the candidates plan to address the Trump administration’s years of packing them with right-wing judges. Courts are about to decide whether Trump will finally be forced to disclose his tax returns and whether administration officials can be compelled to testify in impeachment hearings. They also make decisions day in and day out about the rights you and I can exercise in our everyday lives. Their role in our democracy couldn’t be more consequential, and we need to stop overlooking them in these debates.”

PFAW’s  #VoteTheCourts2020 campaign highlights the importance of federal courts and judges as an electoral issue in 2020.  PFAW believes Democratic candidates can win support by articulating a vision for the courts that includes rebalancing the bench after four years of the Trump-McConnell commitment to packing it with conservative ideologues, and by reassuring voters of a future in which courts respect the rights of all.

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity.  Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.

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