This post was prepared some months ago. I am publishing it now at a reader’s request, as the strategy has quickened — a final clarity piece here before I turn fully to steadiness.
I’m genuinely curious - the Trump Administration does whatever it wants already, without regard to the Constitution, and ignores court orders trying to stop them, and the Supreme Court is its lapdog. Why would the Regime bother with the CoS? They can already be dictators. I’d be very interested to hear your thoughts on what they might think the marginal benefit is. Thanks - EP
I don’t think it’s right to say the administration already does whatever it wants without regard to the Constitution. What it has done is push at the edges — using executive orders, agency rules, and court delays, often with a Supreme Court majority willing to uphold its moves. That’s different from ignoring the Constitution outright.
The reason a convention still matters is that it would make those shifts permanent. Instead of working around the old framework, they could rewrite it. That gives their agenda legitimacy and durability — not just rule-stretching, but a new constitutional order built to entrench it.
PS. I wrote about the importance of the appearance of legitimacy to Trump here:
Thanks - that’s really interesting context. Thanks for the in depth work you’ve done on this nexus of issues. (By the way your precision in what the Administration is doing vs. not quite doing yet is commendable. I was being more emotional than I was precise in my question above!)
The regime wants a new rule book that they create under the cover of a constitution and they want permanent power. Such a devious, clever and complicated bait and switch. And just like project 2025, they hand us their playbook and we just stare in disbelief.
This subscriber regrets both your extensive disability and its’ appearance during what should have been a restorative. There must be those you can delegate to.
There should be a central coordinating committee. From this correspondent’s admittedly limited perspective the Resistance appears disconnected precisely where and when cohesion is required to be effective. If there is such organization (not organizations) perhaps a short article on the subject would help we ignoramuses (ignorami?).
That Committee could maintain an updating web page with a state-by-state report such as you have demonstrated is possible with your Indiana case study. The very ordinary reader such as yours truly goes blind halfway through reading such an article as yours despite its’ desperate importance and your obvious effort at clarity. Yours truly doesn’t even remember trying to read it in May, sorry.
Being home-bound this correspondent could volunteer to act as a reader for such an effort, particularly if it would relieve you of some demands. If you have put out such a call it was missed by this novice in such affairs.
There are several organisations actively working to protect the U.S. Constitution from the potential risks associated with an Article V convention, though I could find no organisation that focuses singularly on this single.
One of the most prominent is Common Cause, a nonpartisan watchdog organisation dedicated to upholding democratic principles. It has more than 1.5 million members and supporters across the United States, including local chapters in 28 states. With a presence in every congressional district and over fifty years of advocacy behind it, the group works to defend open, accountable government and to protect and strengthen democratic norms at every level — national, state, and local.
Their current priorities include:
- Voting Rights and Access: Common Cause works to protect and expand voting rights, ensuring that all eligible voters can participate in elections without undue barriers.
- Ethics and Accountability: The organisation advocates for strong ethical standards in government, promoting transparency and holding public officials accountable for misconduct.
- Money in Politics: Common Cause seeks to reduce the influence of money in politics by supporting campaign finance reforms and opposing the influx of undisclosed "dark money" in elections.
- Fair Redistricting and Ending Gerrymandering: They strive to create fair electoral maps by combating gerrymandering, ensuring that voters choose their representatives, not the other way around.
- Opposition to an Article V Constitutional Convention: Common Cause actively opposes efforts to call for an Article V convention, expressing concerns about the potential risks of a runaway convention that could alter fundamental rights and democratic structures.
Common Cause offers a range of ways to get involved and their website makes it easy to filter campaigns and updates by state, so you can see exactly what's happening where you live. If you enter your address, they'll show you who represents you at every level of government—along with what they’re doing, and how you can hold them to account. https://www.commoncause.org/take-action/
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) also plays a key role in protecting the U.S. Constitution from efforts to convene an Article V convention. While not a single-issue organisation, they have repeatedly raised concerns — based on their budget expertise — about the fiscal proposals driving many calls for a convention. They warn that an Article V process could open the door to sweeping and destabilising changes, especially in areas that protect federal programmes supporting low-income families.
You can learn more about CBPP’s work, access their research, or support their efforts here: https://www.cbpp.org
Also, while The Cato Institute supports constitutional originalism, it has also raised concerns about the risks of convening an Article V convention — warning that the process could open the door to sweeping changes that undermine the Constitution’s structure. To stay informed about Cato's latest research, events, and publications, you can subscribe to their newsletter, Cato Today, here: https://www.cato.org/cato-today. This resource provides regular updates on their work and insights into current policy debates.
PS. Please don't concern yourself that I took additional time to respond, C. I had these notes already to hand.
Ok, this is terrifying, but are we really going to let this movement of nationalists co-opt ANOTHER feature of our constitutional system????
We ceded the Supreme Court without so much as a whisper of meaningful rebuke..
The Constitution is OUR document. We cannot let some insular group of bigots wield our document without impunity simply because we are too scared to use it ourselves.
A constitutional convention on terms set by ALL the people is the only way to recapture our government.
Time for me to press print and get out the highlighter again.
Please rest up. Positive vibes from across the Atlantic.
Thank you John.
I had no idea, and yet the process is textbook Aleks. I will share this widely as your research is very important to get out to a wider audience.
I’m genuinely curious - the Trump Administration does whatever it wants already, without regard to the Constitution, and ignores court orders trying to stop them, and the Supreme Court is its lapdog. Why would the Regime bother with the CoS? They can already be dictators. I’d be very interested to hear your thoughts on what they might think the marginal benefit is. Thanks - EP
I don’t think it’s right to say the administration already does whatever it wants without regard to the Constitution. What it has done is push at the edges — using executive orders, agency rules, and court delays, often with a Supreme Court majority willing to uphold its moves. That’s different from ignoring the Constitution outright.
The reason a convention still matters is that it would make those shifts permanent. Instead of working around the old framework, they could rewrite it. That gives their agenda legitimacy and durability — not just rule-stretching, but a new constitutional order built to entrench it.
PS. I wrote about the importance of the appearance of legitimacy to Trump here:
https://www.yourtimestartsnow.ch/p/why-you-need-to-understand-the-real
Thanks - that’s really interesting context. Thanks for the in depth work you’ve done on this nexus of issues. (By the way your precision in what the Administration is doing vs. not quite doing yet is commendable. I was being more emotional than I was precise in my question above!)
You're welcome. Yes, sorry — it's become a standing joke at home that I often take things too literally!
The regime wants a new rule book that they create under the cover of a constitution and they want permanent power. Such a devious, clever and complicated bait and switch. And just like project 2025, they hand us their playbook and we just stare in disbelief.
Exactly this Karen.
This subscriber regrets both your extensive disability and its’ appearance during what should have been a restorative. There must be those you can delegate to.
There should be a central coordinating committee. From this correspondent’s admittedly limited perspective the Resistance appears disconnected precisely where and when cohesion is required to be effective. If there is such organization (not organizations) perhaps a short article on the subject would help we ignoramuses (ignorami?).
That Committee could maintain an updating web page with a state-by-state report such as you have demonstrated is possible with your Indiana case study. The very ordinary reader such as yours truly goes blind halfway through reading such an article as yours despite its’ desperate importance and your obvious effort at clarity. Yours truly doesn’t even remember trying to read it in May, sorry.
Being home-bound this correspondent could volunteer to act as a reader for such an effort, particularly if it would relieve you of some demands. If you have put out such a call it was missed by this novice in such affairs.
Thanks are owed you for your efforts.
Thank you C.
There are several organisations actively working to protect the U.S. Constitution from the potential risks associated with an Article V convention, though I could find no organisation that focuses singularly on this single.
One of the most prominent is Common Cause, a nonpartisan watchdog organisation dedicated to upholding democratic principles. It has more than 1.5 million members and supporters across the United States, including local chapters in 28 states. With a presence in every congressional district and over fifty years of advocacy behind it, the group works to defend open, accountable government and to protect and strengthen democratic norms at every level — national, state, and local.
Their current priorities include:
- Voting Rights and Access: Common Cause works to protect and expand voting rights, ensuring that all eligible voters can participate in elections without undue barriers.
- Ethics and Accountability: The organisation advocates for strong ethical standards in government, promoting transparency and holding public officials accountable for misconduct.
- Money in Politics: Common Cause seeks to reduce the influence of money in politics by supporting campaign finance reforms and opposing the influx of undisclosed "dark money" in elections.
- Fair Redistricting and Ending Gerrymandering: They strive to create fair electoral maps by combating gerrymandering, ensuring that voters choose their representatives, not the other way around.
- Opposition to an Article V Constitutional Convention: Common Cause actively opposes efforts to call for an Article V convention, expressing concerns about the potential risks of a runaway convention that could alter fundamental rights and democratic structures.
Common Cause offers a range of ways to get involved and their website makes it easy to filter campaigns and updates by state, so you can see exactly what's happening where you live. If you enter your address, they'll show you who represents you at every level of government—along with what they’re doing, and how you can hold them to account. https://www.commoncause.org/take-action/
To receive breaking news, action opportunities, and democracy resources from Common Cause, you can sign up for their newsletter here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/national-quick-join-cc-2024/
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) also plays a key role in protecting the U.S. Constitution from efforts to convene an Article V convention. While not a single-issue organisation, they have repeatedly raised concerns — based on their budget expertise — about the fiscal proposals driving many calls for a convention. They warn that an Article V process could open the door to sweeping and destabilising changes, especially in areas that protect federal programmes supporting low-income families.
You can learn more about CBPP’s work, access their research, or support their efforts here: https://www.cbpp.org
Also, while The Cato Institute supports constitutional originalism, it has also raised concerns about the risks of convening an Article V convention — warning that the process could open the door to sweeping changes that undermine the Constitution’s structure. To stay informed about Cato's latest research, events, and publications, you can subscribe to their newsletter, Cato Today, here: https://www.cato.org/cato-today. This resource provides regular updates on their work and insights into current policy debates.
PS. Please don't concern yourself that I took additional time to respond, C. I had these notes already to hand.
Ok, this is terrifying, but are we really going to let this movement of nationalists co-opt ANOTHER feature of our constitutional system????
We ceded the Supreme Court without so much as a whisper of meaningful rebuke..
The Constitution is OUR document. We cannot let some insular group of bigots wield our document without impunity simply because we are too scared to use it ourselves.
A constitutional convention on terms set by ALL the people is the only way to recapture our government.