Resolute Square

David Pepper

Lawyer, author, democracy champion, and Resolute Square Contributor
Credit: david pepper

About David Pepper

David Pepper is a pro-democracy leader, lawyer, author, political activist, former elected official, and adjunct professor, and served as the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party between 2015 and 2021. 

His latest book, Saving Democracy: A User's Manual For Every American, is a follow-up to his best-selling Laboratories of Autocracy and is structured to challenge and guide each reader—no matter your role in your community or politics or where you work—on how you each can play a more active and effective role in lifting democracy than you might have imagined. Over the course of the book, you will construct your own personal plan to fight for democracy. And when you’re finished, you’ll be ready to get to work. Prepare to be inspired.

David writes about this and more in his fantastic Substack newsletter, Pepperspectives.

Follow @DavidPepper
Latest
Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal: The Death of Science

Trump's Project 2025: Up Close And Personal

In Chapter 3, the fact-based fictional story of Dr. Yvette Hardman and JJ Newsom depicts the dismantling of expertise and science-based decision making in the federal government under a possible second Trump administration guided by Project 2025. Dr. Hardman, an experienced infectious disease expert, is removed from her position at the CDC and replaced by JJ Newsom, an unqualified political loyalist with no relevant experience. This reflects Project 2025's plan to fill government positions with partisan appointees rather than nonpartisan experts. The new administration rejects science-based pandemic response recommendations from Dr. Hardman instead prioritizing political and economic considerations over public health. This aligns with Project 2025's directives to limit the CDC's ability to make public health recommendations. The story highlights the Trump administration's hostility towards science and the displacement of experienced civil servants, which Project 2025 seeks to accelerate through measures like the "Schedule F" executive order to reclassify and fire federal employees. Overall, the narrative illustrates how a second Trump term guided by Project 2025 would undermine the role of expertise and independent scientific advice in government, with potentially disastrous consequences for public health and safety. We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode: CCH Pounder, Richard Schiff and Jason Kravits who read the chapters and Omid Abtahi, Tom Nichols, Laurie Burke and Joanne Carducci who did the voices. Sound design by Marilys Ernst and Jon Moser. Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal was written by David Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.
October 2, 2024
Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal-Chapter 2: The Threat to IVF

Trump's Project 2025: Up Close & Personal

Chapter Two of David Pepper's "Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal" podcast depicts the personal story of Eve, a nurse struggling with infertility, whose treatment is threatened by the new president's executive order banning certain fertility treatments. The episode explores how the president's policies would impact everyday Americans, particularly women and families, by interfering with reproductive freedom and the right to self-determination. The author of the serialized novel “2025,” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how the fictional story is directly based on the policies outlined in the Trump’s Project 2025 and the president's own words, underscoring the very real and devastating consequences a second Trump term and the implementation of Project 2025 could have. You can read Chapter Two of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel-chapter-2
September 26, 2024
Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal. Chapter One-Deportation.

Trump's Project 2025: Up Close & Personal

In this riveting series premiere of Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal, follows Ammon Maher, a college student and immigrant, as he is detained and deported without due process because his involvement in past campus protests. This narrative directly reflects Trump's campaign promises to crack down on student protesters and his administration's policies that target undocumented immigrants, including so-called "dreamers." Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is available on all the podcast apps and at 2025pod.com. We'd also like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode. Heather Thomas, J. Smith Cameron, Omid Abtahi, Kirk Acevedo and Bayo Akinfemi. Audio finishing by Marilyn Ernst. This series is produced by David Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier, and Jay Feldman. Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and the Bill Press Pod.
September 18, 2024
Report from the Field: Lifting Democracy in a Blue State
David Pepper writes, "One of the most damaging consequences of the narrative that our battle for democracy is only a federal contest, playing out in just a few swing states, is that it leaves the false impression that most of America isn’t involved in that battle."
September 12, 2024
The Final Stretch With David Pepper
Strategy Session

Strategy Session

It was a wildly successful DNC, and the big mo is behind the Harris-Walz ticket, but don't put on your victory slippers and get comfy yet. We're leaving it all on the field this time and taking nothing for granted! David Pepper, Joe Trippi, and Stuart Stevens talked dirty tricks, weird Trump and the upcoming debate(s), and how we keep fighting for the next 70 days. Because when we fight, we win!
August 27, 2024
No Good Deed...
David Pepper writes: “For the first time in modern memory, Ohio Republicans attached conditions to legislation that extended the deadline for a presidential nominee to be placed on the Ohio ballot. In the past, including in 2020, this has always been done as a matter of course, and for nominees of either party. "
July 17, 2024
Trump’s Project 2025 Denial
David Pepper: "When Trump denies that Project 2025 is his plan, don’t just laugh it off. Know his denial rests at the heart of the overall far-right game plan: seeking to impose on a polity an agenda that, at its core and stripped down to its basics, runs directly counter to the majority will of that polity."
July 9, 2024
The Second Anniversary of Dobbs
David Pepper: Despite the strong majorities of Americans supporting reproductive freedom, abortion is generally banned in red, gerrymandered states—because the gerrymandering keeps those states from being representative democracies in the first place. They can pass unpopular laws and still face no accountability, so they do—keeping the far right happy.
June 24, 2024
Running Everywhere...Even Florida
With a powerful example from the recent past, David Pepper explains in his latest whiteboard video how fielding Democratic candidates for Congress in Florida could have changed the outcome of a presidential election. And why history could repeat itself in November.
May 23, 2024
The Disgraceful Legacy of Rob Portman
Stuart and David discuss the dramatic betrayal by Rob Portman of all he purported to care about - including Ukraine - and his legacy of supporting J.D. Vance and Donald Trump.
May 22, 2024
Joe Trippi: Dems Dug This Hole, But They're Digging Out
Joe Trippi explains how for decades Democrats chose to fight in limited states and abandoned many that have become extremists now. But - the fight is on everywhere now and Dems are winning.
May 22, 2024
David Pepper: Effectively Fighting Extremist Candidates
Real progress is being make in blue, red, and purple states across the country and more and more Democrats are standing up to challenge extremist candidates who've previous run unopposed.
May 22, 2024
"States Rights" Is A Fig Leaf For Taking Your Rights
David Pepper explains how states across the country have been forcing through unpopular policies and how a Trump 2.0 would put their actions on steroids. David's latest piece with Gevin Reynolds is here: bit.ly/3WMy32P
May 22, 2024
David Pepper Joins The Strategy Session
Strategy Session

Strategy Session

An intense, important, eye-opening episode with David Pepper in the house. What are the tactics of those destroying democracy from the state level on up? Join David, Stuart, and Joe for the strategy that gets us to the future we want and deserve.
May 21, 2024
Here’s What States' Rights Would Mean In A Second Trump Presidency
David Pepper and Gevin Reynolds write, "Thanks to a toxic brew of partisan gerrymandering, intense voter suppression, dark money, and far too many uncontested races, many MAGA-controlled states have stopped resembling functioning democracies at all."
May 17, 2024
Citizens United + Laboratories of Autocracy -->
David Pepper alerts us to "The Purging of Republicans Who Dare Stand Up"
May 9, 2024
"Act Wisely": A Chilling Letter...
David Pepper looks at the mafia-impersonating letter from Ohio AG Dave Yost to higher education leaders, in which he isues warnings of potential federal law violations, criminal penalties for universities and colleges in Ohio, and menacingly advising them to "act wisely."
May 2, 2024
Down the Climate Rabbit Hole...
David Pepper found out this week that the bizarro reaction from "blue checks" on Twitter doesn't mean sea levels aren't rising, but does confirm that the swamp of right-wing disinformation and conspiracies on the social media platform is rising even faster. And yes, we know His Imperial Weirdness changed the name to X, but we're not calling it that because even wackadoodle-billionaire-fascist-huggers can't always get what they want.
April 11, 2024
The Common Theme of Public Corruption: You're The One Paying For It!
David Pepper writes, "Most have no clue their own dollars are playing such a big role in Ohio politics. Still, struggling Ohioans have been bankrolling the campaigns of powerful Ohio politicians for years."
April 4, 2024
It’s Trump vs.…. YOU
David Pepper says that fundamentally, the election is about Trump vs. YOU, and YOUR freedom. "What freedoms are we individually and collectively willing to lose if Trump wins?"
March 21, 2024
We Have LIFTOFF: Blue Tennessee!
David Pepper knows that we can begin to bring some accountability to Tennessee extremism through the Blue Tennessee program - because it's already been successful in other states.
March 14, 2024
Media Takes The GOP Bait Again
David Pepper explains the media race to take the GOP misinformation bait - AGAIN - only to see today that Special Counsel Hur has more memory lapses under oath than he falsely claimed of Joe Biden.
March 13, 2024
Strategy Session: The State Of The States WSG David Pepper
Strategy Session

Strategy Session

The Hur debacle, Britt's bad night, Ken Buck's ducking out, the RNC as Trump piggy bank - What does it mean for GOP congressional races that Trump is going to gobble up all the cash? Rick, Joe, and special guest David Pepper covered all that and much more!
March 12, 2024
The State Of Our Union's Democracy…
David Pepper writes, "(President Biden) must emphasize….that the state of democracy in our union is only as strong as it is in the states where democracy is weakest. In this ongoing battle, there is where we must focus our fight.”
March 7, 2024
Ghosts of “Mistakes” Past
David Pepper breaks down some the ghosts coming back to haunt the scandal-ridded in Ohio, including the sitting governor.
February 21, 2024
Ethics Meltdown At the Highest Level
In the midst of a "descent away from the rule of law," Ohio faces a troubling new ethics meltdown of significant proportions. David Pepper uncovers the alarming issues plaguing the Buckeye state and asks: When will the tipping point will be reached?
February 8, 2024
Sneak Attack on Direct Democracy
David Pepper highlights a troubling proposal in Missouri that undermines majority rule through gerrymandering-influenced thresholds for a Constitutional Amendment. Protecting democracy requires united efforts.
February 1, 2024
The Enablers
Out of cowardice or ambition, or both, so many (Republicans) who know better are shredding their principles to endorse a man guilty of so much wrongdoing
January 18, 2024
What David Pepper Is Watching
Do the 40+% of Iowa Caucus voters who voted against Trump signal an opportunity for a Biden victory in November?
January 17, 2024
Strategy Session: Special Guest David Pepper
Strategy Session

Strategy Session

This week, author and strategist David Pepper joined Rick and Stuart to discuss threats to voting rights, state battles to preserve, protect, and defend democracy, the Iowa caucuses, and much more!
January 17, 2024
Democracy is....Action!
We all have a role to place in maintaining, strengthening, and participating in our democracy. David Pepper stresses the significance of the Voting Rights Act and urges on current and expanded efforts to protect and expand democracy.
January 11, 2024
The Nightmare in Texas
David Pepper: "Once you realize that we’re in a battle for democracy itself—and that the front lines of that battle are the very statehouse seats where politicians like Bryan Hughes are spending entire careers advancing extremism unchallenged—you realize that these numbers aren’t just bad. They amount to a crisis, inflicting enormous damage."
December 13, 2023
First Energy: A Perfect Case Study Of How Corruption Takes Root
David Pepper warns that the corruption case involving First Energy in Ohio isn't merely an Ohio scandal, it's a national wake-up call.
December 7, 2023
A Dark Day: Election Rigging, Ratified
David Pepper reports on the final step in a years-long process to subvert democracy in Ohio, with politicians breaking the law and manipulating the system to maintain power. How does he suggest fighting back? Flip the court!
November 30, 2023
NEW POLL! The GOP's Latest Third Rail
Affirming A Hunch on Education Thuggery
November 1, 2023
A Breathtaking Letter
Myths Versus the Reality of School "Vouchers"
October 26, 2023
Beware: Stealth Campaigns Are Everywhere
David Pepper explains how you can defeat stealth campaigns to protect your schools and democracy.
October 13, 2023
Iowa: Report from the Front Line
David Pepper Provides The Perfect Case Study of Why You Run Everywhere--With Gumption
October 5, 2023
Florida: Report From The Front Line
David Pepper discusses the attack on democracy in Florida and shares stories of individuals fighting back against suppression and censorship efforts.
September 28, 2023
The Democracy Winning Streak Continues, But...
We Have Important Work to Do, Right Now, in Pennsylvania
September 21, 2023
Don’t Get Distracted. Fight FOR Democracy In States…And Keep Winning
David Pepper reminds us that focusing on the threats to democracy on a local and state level now is how we'll defend democracy moving forward.
September 12, 2023
An American Life...That Must Not Be Erased
Delve into the impact of politics and democracy on the individual's life and witness the erosion of rights that threatens to erase an entire generation from history. An insightful examination of the past and its resonance with the present.
August 28, 2023
Strategy Session: August 8, 2023
Strategy Session

Strategy Session

The guys were joined by special guest David Pepper for a fantastic election night show to talk about the OH GOP's abomination - Article 1 - that would strip majority rule from the people of Ohio. David's showing how you get it done on the state level - prepare to be inspired!
August 8, 2023
It's Bigger Than Trump: A Case Study
"This current attack on democracy is part of a clear historic pattern of a fierce backlash (whitelash) whenever a diverse majority begins to get its way in American politics," writes David Pepper.
July 19, 2023
Are We “A Republic, NOT A Democracy”?
The False Dichotomy Being Weaponized to Undermine Democracy
July 17, 2023
The Tragic Case They Tried To Erase
David Pepper reminds us this week of the devastating results of the Dobbs decision. Manipulation of memory and reality continues to be used effectively by the GOP.
July 7, 2023
Supreme Court
Necessary Roughness
Calling Out a Lawless, Anti-Democratic Theory
June 29, 2023
The Rule Of Law(lessness)
Just how lawless is the GOP attack on the Ohio Constitution? "Brace yourself," says David Pepper
June 1, 2023
The Enemies List with Rick Wilson
Lack Of Accountability Is Killing Democracy
The Enemies List

Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

Rick speaks with author David Pepper. In his new book, Saving Democracy, Pepper outlines what Americans can do to help save democracy. Rick and David discuss how the Republicans are systematically dismantling democracy. They also talk about what we, the American people, can do to combat the takeover. And some shady fundraising tactics land this week's entry on The Enemies List.
May 29, 2023
Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual For Every American
Memo to Corporate America: What happened to Disney is the future. Your future. So don’t be next.
May 25, 2023
It's Always Projection
The Illinois Billionaire Trying To Buy Ohio
May 4, 2023
The Simple, Brutal Math Of Ohio's New Voter Suppression
Republican-blessed new voter ID rules go into effect this week in Ohio and the results are devastating. They hope you won't notice.
April 6, 2023
War On The Courts
State Supreme Courts are a target of the Right. They've succeeded in packing them with cronies in Ohio and North Carolina. Next target: Wisconsin in April.
March 1, 2023
GOP Is Bragging About Successful Voter Suppression
The GOP is kicking off Black History Month by trying to repeat a shameful, undemocratic, racist part of that American history. Small wonder they don't want Black History taught in our schools.
February 2, 2023
The GOP's Dangerous Practice Of Censoring Truth
When governments enter the business of banning books and censoring history, alarm bells should ring loudly about the state of democracy in the present.
January 25, 2023
David Pepper White Board Wizard
Blind Spot: The Dangers In What We Miss
When we only focus on the politics of personality, we miss the attacks on our democratic institutions and their consequences.
January 5, 2023
David Pepper White Board Wizard
The Danger To Democracy In What We Miss
When we only focus on the politics of personality, we miss the attacks on our democratic institutions and their consequences.
January 3, 2023
State House of Ohio, House Chamber
Once You See It, You Can’t Unsee It. And That’s A Good Thing.
Sometimes individual attacks can appear unrelated, but the big picture is key. Thus is the war on democracy.
December 20, 2022
Sitting US Supreme Court Justices
A Flagrant Foul Against Democracy
NC Republicans are before the SCOTUS this week. On the opposite side, a founder of the Federalist Society. David Pepper tells us why we might be in for a surprise decision.
December 6, 2022
Voting Rights March
Hello, Ohio? It's Jim Crow.
Jim Crow is calling Ohio. It wants its old playbook back.
November 22, 2022

Topics

Project 2025
Project 2025
Hellscape Christian Nationalist plan to be enacted if Trump's wins in 2024. Backed by the right-wing extremist Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is an authoritarian Christian nationalist movement with 900+ pages of detailed plans to turn America into an autocracy. Legal experts state clearly that it would undermine the rule of law and the separation of powers - and the Heritage Foundation, Trump, and their ilk have no problem with that because this is precisely what they want to accomplish.
Defending Democracy
Defending Democracy
Democracy is under attack. The authoritarian GOP knows they can't win if democracy does, so they attack voting rights and Civil Rights. They are wrong. We are right.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris
Vice president of the United States
2024 Presidential Election
2024 Presidential Election
The 60th quadrennial presidential election, scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, is considered to be the most consequential election of our lifetimes where Americans will have the opportunity to protect democracy and democratic norms from extreme right-wing policies, racial violence and growing threat of authoritarianism by Republicans.
Ohio
Ohio
State that is victim to extreme GOP gerrymandering - have you seen the Duck District! - and an elected state Supreme Court that will only make things worse. Democracy in Ohio remains in the balance. AND they have to endure both Jim Jordan and J.D. Vance.
Republican Party
Republican Party
Dobbs Decision
Dobbs Decision
Landmark 2022 Supreme Court decision eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, abandoning 50 years of precedent, paving the way for states to ban abortion, and creating untold economic, emotional, psychological, physical, and financial hardship to Americans.
Florida
Florida