Democracy in Distress

Donald Trump looks toward a camera after a jury found him guilty.

Law

Trump’s conviction ‘a triumph for the rule of law,’ but election impact is unclear, Berkeley scholars say

The historic conviction on all 34 criminal counts came after 9 1/2 hours of jury deliberation. Berkeley experts said the next question is whether it will affect voters in November.

a photo illustration representing the deep partisan divide on the U.S. Supreme Court, with a blue version of the court building upside down (left) and a red version right-side up.

Law

Voting, race and religion: Is the U.S. Supreme Court a threat to democracy?

Protester at a Proud Boys rally in Oregon wears a hat and t-shirt featuring the U.S. flag, and carries an American flag emblazoned with a Second Amendment slogan

People

Cecilia Hyunjung Mo: The male backlash against democracy is no surprise

Blake Masters, a now-defeated candidate for US Senate from Arizona, posed with a rifle in one of his campaign ads.

Law

Loss, fear and rage: Are white men rebelling against democracy?

Members of right-wing extremist Proud Boys group raised a wooden cross outside the state capitol building in Lansing, Michigan, on Jan. 6, 2021. An American flag and a Trump flag are in the background.

Crisis of faith: Christian nationalism and the threat to U.S. democracy