The vital inside account of American democracy in its darkest hour, from the rise of autocracy unleashed by Trump to the January 6 insurrection, and a warning that those forces remain as potent as ever—from the congressman who led the first impeachment of Donald J. Trump“Engaging and informative . . . a manual for how to probe and question power, how to hold leaders accountable in a time of diminishing responsibility.”—The Washington PostIn the years leading up to the election of Donald Trump, Congressman Adam Schiff had already been sounding the alarm over the resurgence of autocracy around the world, and the threat this posed to the United States. But as he led the probe into Donald Trump’s Russia and Ukraine-related abuses of presidential power, Schiff came to the terrible conclusion that the principal threat to American democracy now came from within. In
Midnight in Washington, Schiff argues that the Trump presidency has so weakened our institutions and compromised the Republican Party that the peril will last for years, requiring unprecedented vigilance against the growing and dangerous appeal of authoritarianism. The congressman chronicles step by step just how our democracy was put at such risk, and traces his own path to meeting the crisis—from serious prosecutor, to congressman with an expertise in national security and a reputation for bipartisanship, to liberal lightning rod, scourge of the right, and archenemy of a president. Schiff takes us inside his team of impeachment managers and their desperate defense of the constitution amid the rise of a distinctly American brand of autocracy. Deepening our understanding of prominent public moments, Schiff reveals the private struggles, the internal conflicts, and the triumphs of courage that came with defending the republic against a lawless president—but also the slow surrender of people that he had worked with and admired to the dangerous immorality of a president engaged in an historic betrayal of his office. Schiff’s fight for democracy is one of the great dramas of our time, told by the man who became the president’s principal antagonist. It is a story that began with Trump but does not end with him, taking us through the disastrous culmination of the presidency and Schiff’s account of January 6, 2021, and how the anti-democratic forces Trump unleashed continue to define his party, making the future of democracy in America more uncertain than ever.
In "Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could," author Daniel Schorr provides a gripping account of the events surrounding the January 6th, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol. Through meticulous research and interviews with key players, Schorr uncovers a disturbing tale of political manipulation, disinformation, and the erosion of democratic norms.
Schorr begins by setting the stage, describing the deep political divisions that had been festering in the United States for years. He then delves into the events leading up to the attack, including President Donald Trump's repeated claims of election fraud and his efforts to pressure state officials to overturn the results. Schorr also examines the role of social media in spreading misinformation and amplifying extremist rhetoric.
The book's narrative reaches a fever pitch as Schorr recounts the events of January 6th itself. He describes the violent mob of Trump supporters storming the Capitol, the ensuing chaos and destruction, and the lawmakers who were forced to evacuate for their own safety. Schorr's account is both harrowing and illuminating, shedding light on the fragility of American democracy and the forces that seek to undermine it.
In the aftermath of the attack, Schorr explores the ongoing threats to American democracy. He examines the rise of authoritarianism and illiberalism around the world and warns that the United States is not immune to these trends. Schorr also discusses the need for electoral reform, media literacy, and civic education to protect democracy in the digital age.
"Midnight in Washington" is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of democracy in the United States. Schorr's book is a powerful reminder of the importance of truth, accountability, and the rule of law. It is a call to action for all Americans to defend their democracy and to fight against those who would seek to destroy it.
