In this episode of The Stakes, host Brad Rourke sits down with Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, to explore the legal battles shaping the future of American democracy. As the Trump administration moves rapidly to implement sweeping executive orders, Democracy Forward and its partners are taking the fight to the courts, challenging policies that undermine constitutional rights, civil service independence, and the principles of inclusive democracy. Perryman explains how a diverse coalition—ranging from civil rights advocates to state attorneys general and public interest groups—is pushing back against the administration’s efforts to dismantle institutions and restrict individual freedoms. 

Perryman highlights the unprecedented pace at which these challenges are unfolding, emphasizing the role of the judiciary as a frontline defense against government overreach. She discusses lawsuits against executive orders that threaten diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, attempts to dismantle the civil service, and policies that restrict academic freedom in higher education. With plaintiffs including university professors, restaurant workers, and the City of Baltimore, these cases represent a broad, bipartisan commitment to preserving democratic norms. Watch to learn how legal action is shaping the national conversation and what’s at stake for the future of American governance.