By: David Cunningham
The recent decision by ten House Democrats to side with Republicans in censuring Representative Al Green (D-TX) is more than just a political betrayal—it is a symptom of a larger crisis within the Democratic Party. At a time when American democracy is under siege, when Republicans are actively dismantling civil rights, suppressing dissent, and advancing an authoritarian agenda, these Democrats chose to lend credibility to a party that has abandoned democratic norms.
The ten Democrats who voted for Green’s censure—Ami Bera (CA), Ed Case (HI), Jim Costa (CA), Laura Gillen (NY), Jim Himes (CT), Chrissy Houlahan (PA), Marcy Kaptur (OH), Jared Moskowitz (FL), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA), and Tom Suozzi (NY)—must be held accountable. They failed to recognize the larger battle at play: the fight against the Republican Party’s slow but deliberate march toward competitive authoritarianism.
America’s Slide Toward Competitive Authoritarianism
America is no longer a full democracy, and we are rapidly sliding toward competitive authoritarianism—a system where elections still occur, but one party manipulates institutions, suppresses opposition, and erodes democratic norms to maintain power. This shift is evident in Republican-controlled states, where voter suppression laws, gerrymandering, and attacks on education have become standard practice.
Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s unquestioned leader, has already made his authoritarian ambitions clear:
• He has threatened to jail political opponents—something no American president has done in modern history.
• He encourages the criminalization of protest, punishing those who speak out against him while defending the violent insurrectionists of January 6th.
• He has promised to strip away civil rights protections, including targeting the LGBTQ+ community, women’s rights, and racial justice initiatives.
These moves are not just a threat to the Republican Party; they are an existential threat to American democracy itself. The decision of these ten Democrats to side with Republicans in censuring Al Green is an example of their failure to acknowledge the urgent need to resist this authoritarian tide.
The Republican War on Civil Rights and DEI
The vote against Al Green is not an isolated incident; it is part of a broader Republican war on civil rights, which includes the systematic dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, attacks on education, and the rolling back of voting rights.
Republicans have successfully convinced weak Democrats that DEI initiatives—designed to ensure marginalized communities have equal opportunities—are somehow radical or divisive. Across the country, Republican-led legislatures are banning DEI programs in universities and government institutions, stripping funding from initiatives that promote racial and gender equality. In Florida, Texas, and other conservative strongholds, they are actively rewriting history books to remove discussions about slavery, systemic racism, and LGBTQ+ rights.
These attacks are designed to erase progress and entrench white supremacy, yet these ten Democrats chose to stand with the party pushing this agenda rather than fight against it. Their failure to defend DEI programs or challenge the erasure of history signals their lack of commitment to true justice and equality.
The Strength of Leaders Like Jasmine Crockett
At a time when weak Democrats are willing to sell out their own, we need bold leadership—leaders who are unafraid to call out hypocrisy and stand firm in the fight for justice. One of those leaders is Jasmine Crockett of Texas.
Representative Crockett has consistently shown the courage and fire that Democrats desperately need. She is not afraid to take on Republicans directly, exposing their lies, their hypocrisy, and their blatant disregard for democracy. She has stood strong in defending voting rights, racial justice, and the fight against MAGA extremism.
Crockett is a prime example of what real leadership looks like. She does not seek approval from Republicans. She does not water down her message to appeal to so-called moderates who refuse to recognize the urgency of this moment. She speaks truth to power and fights without apology—something the Democratic Party desperately needs more of.
The Role of Project 2025 and Why We Need Bold Leadership
Meanwhile, the Republican Party is accelerating its move toward authoritarianism through Project 2025, which seeks to fundamentally reshape the American political landscape under Donald Trump’s leadership. Just two months into his presidency, Trump’s administration has begun implementing the framework of Project 2025 with alarming speed. This project involves stacking federal agencies with far-right ideologues, stripping power from the judiciary, and pushing forward extreme policies that undermine the rights of everyday Americans.
Trump’s agenda is clear: to solidify his grip on power at all costs, even if it means eroding the very foundations of our democracy. Project 2025 will continue to strip civil rights protections, further suppress dissent, and bolster an oligarchic system that benefits the wealthy few at the expense of the working class. Already, Trump’s administration has targeted immigrants, promised to eliminate critical race theory from education, and rolled back environmental protections—all signs of an authoritarian regime in the making.
The weak Democrats who voted to censure Al Green are complicit in this crisis. By aligning themselves with Republicans, they are helping to further entrench the authoritarian agenda that Trump and his allies are pushing. This is not a time for moderation or compromise; it is a time to stand up for democracy and defend the Constitution.
Democratic Weakness Is the Biggest Threat to Democracy
One of the biggest reasons America is sliding toward authoritarianism is not just Republican extremism, but Democratic cowardice. The modern Republican Party does not compromise. It does not care about democracy. It does not care about fairness. It does not even care about governing—it only cares about power.
And yet, Democrats continue to play by outdated rules, chasing bipartisanship that does not exist and watering down progressive legislation in a futile attempt to appeal to an opposition that seeks their destruction.
When Republicans attack DEI, voting rights, reproductive rights, and free speech, they do not back down. They do not split their votes. They do not worry about how they will be perceived. They fight for their agenda—no matter how harmful, unpopular, or destructive it is.
Meanwhile, these ten Democrats had the opportunity to take a stand against Republican hypocrisy and instead chose weakness. They chose to align themselves with a party that is working every day to undermine democracy, embolden white supremacy, and strip Americans of their fundamental rights.
The Path Forward: Vote Them Out
If Democrats want to preserve democracy, they need to purge their party of weak, spineless politicians who cave to Republican pressure. These ten Democrats have shown that they cannot be trusted to stand firm when it matters most. They must be challenged in primaries by bold, unapologetic progressives like Jasmine Crockett—leaders who will fight against authoritarianism and refuse to bow to Republican narratives.
This is not a time for moderation. It is not a time for compromise. It is a time to recognize that American democracy is in crisis, and only those willing to fight for it deserve to hold office.
The Republican Party is not going to stop its assault on democracy. If Democrats do not find the courage to fight back with equal intensity, they will not just lose elections—they will lose the country.
It’s time to replace weak Democrats with real fighters. It’s time to vote them out.
David Cunningham was born and raised in the Watts area of Los Angeles, California, and is a dedicated advocate for justice and equity. He is currently a graduate student pursuing his Master of Public Administration.
