The Fulcrum (U.S.)

Welcome to the only news organization dedicated solely to addressing the issues that hinder American democracy. We operate as a nonprofit and remain nonpartisan. Our unique stories, national news coverage, and opinion platform focus specifically on critical topics such as money in politics, redistricting, voting rights, election accessibility, government ethics, civic involvement, and the distribution of power. Our mission is to promote a less polarized democratic system, create more competitive elections, ensure politicians are less influenced by wealthy donors, encourage officials to rely on solid evidence when making policies, and foster a more effective, ethical, and respectful Congress. We began our journey in December 2018 with an email newsletter called The Firewall. Although that name has changed, we invite you to sign up here for regular updates if you enjoy the content on our site.

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‘When People Spend Time Together, They Are Less Inclined To See Each Other As the Enemy’: A Conversation With Matt Grossmann

3 days ago | thefulcrum.us | Greg Berman

In The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway famously observed that a character went broke in two ways: gradually, then suddenly. The same dynamic has been at work in American politics. For decades, the composition of our principal political parties has been slowly shifting, without a great deal of public attention. And then the 2024 presidential election happened, and it was suddenly obvious: the Democrats, traditionally the party of the working class, had become the party of educated elites.
VA Announces Record Efficiency Amid Potential Staffing Cuts

3 days ago | thefulcrum.us | Ismael Belkoura

WASHINGTON – At a time when the Department of Veterans Affairs has been processing record levels of disability claims, Democrats warned last week that the agency’s productivity will not last under the deep cuts ordered by President Donald Trump. The 2022 PACT Act broadened eligibility for VA disability claims. Staff increases under the Biden administration enabled the VA to keep up with the growing number of claims.
Trump Administration Attack on the Humanities Is an Attack on All of Us

1 week ago | thefulcrum.us | Austin Sarat

On March 31, word began to leak that DOGE was targeting the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). A few days later, it began rescinding grants made during the Biden Administration and moving forward with a plan to cut 80% of the NEH staff. Grantees received the same email. “Your grant no longer effectuates the agency’s needs and priorities,” it said.
Meeting the Moment: Ensuring Wildlife, People, and Ecosystems Thrive

1 week ago | thefulcrum.us | Hugo Balta

Maria Luisa Rossel is the Press Secretary at the National Wildlife Federation. The NWF’s mission is to unite all Americans and ensure the thriving of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. I spoke with Maria Luisa on a recent episode of Fulcrum Democracy Forum (FDF). The program engages citizens in evolving government to better meet all people's needs. Consistent with the Fulcrum's mission, FDF strives to share many perspectives to widen our readers' viewpoints.
Democracy in Action: March Retrospective

1 week ago | thefulcrum.us | Hugo Balta

Welcome to Democracy in Action, insights and discussion about some of the most talked-about topics of the previous month with the Fulcrum’s collaborators. Consistent with the Fulcrum's mission, this program strives to share many perspectives to widen our readers' viewpoints. Looking back at the twists and turns of March, I spoke with Fulcrum columnists:Michele Weldon, an award-winning author, journalist, emerita faculty member at Northwestern University, and senior leader with The OpEd Project.
Congress Bill Spotlight: Impeaching Judges Who Rule Against Trump

1 week ago | thefulcrum.us | Jesse Rifkin

The Fulcrum introduces Congress Bill Spotlight, a weekly report by Jesse Rifkin, focusing on the noteworthy legislation of the thousands introduced in Congress. Rifkin has written about Congress for years, and now he's dissecting the most interesting bills you need to know about, but that often don't get the right news coverage. Federal judges have ruled against Trump on issues including immigrant deportations, transgender healthcare information, and Elon Musk’s DOGE. Should they be impeached?
CO lawmakers work to protect voter rights after Trump elections order

1 week ago | thefulcrum.us | Eric Galatas

Some Colorado lawmakers are scrambling to protect voter rights after President Donald Trump issued an executive order to require proof of citizenship to register to vote. They say the requirement would disproportionately affect low-income voters and people of color. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, said the language in the U.S. Constitution is very clear that the authority to run elections is delegated to individual states.
Better Together Film Festival Promotes Unity and Hope

2 weeks ago | thefulcrum.us | Kristina Becvar

Throughout the week of April 21-27, 2025, as part of the eighth annual National Week of Conversation - community spaces across the country are inviting local audiences to participate in the second annual Better Together Film Festival. The festival aims to shift the culture of the country away from division and hatred, and toward cohesion and hope. Any individual or group can take advantage of this free opportunity to turn down the heat and bridge divides.
Trump wants to ‘defund’ Planned Parenthood. The Supreme Court will hear a case aimed at that.

2 weeks ago | thefulcrum.us | Shefali Luthra

In its first abortion case since President Donald Trump’s reelection, the Supreme Court will hear arguments next week about whether states can bar Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds — which could further the administration’s goal of “defunding” the nation’s largest family planning provider. Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic concerns an order from South Carolina Gov.
Congress Bill Spotlight: Smithsonian Italian American Museum

2 weeks ago | thefulcrum.us | Jesse Rifkin

The Fulcrum introduces Congress Bill Spotlight, a weekly report by Jesse Rifkin, focusing on the noteworthy legislation of the thousands introduced in Congress. Rifkin has written about Congress for years, and now he's dissecting the most interesting bills you need to know about, but that often don't get the right news coverage. The most famous Italian Americans include Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, Antonin Scalia, and Anthony Fauci.