Democracy Now! Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Democracy Now! delivers a comprehensive, urgent report on the state of American democracy and public health under the second Trump administration, highlighting systemic failures and grassroots resistance. The episode opens with the resignation of FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty McCary amid political pressure from Republicans and anti-abortion groups, sparking a broader critique of the dismantling of federal health agencies under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has fired thousands of staff and replaced them with political allies. Experts Dr. Aaron Kesselheim and Dr. Robert Steinbrook condemn the erosion of science-based leadership, warning of a public health crisis fueled by vaccine skepticism and the collapse of institutions like the CDC. The episode then shifts to a powerful examination of the nationwide movement against AI data centers, where communities from Oregon to Georgia are successfully blocking massive tech projects through local moratoriums. Astra Taylor argues this fight is not just about climate or tech, but about democracy itself—resisting the undemocratic, profit-driven acceleration of AI that threatens jobs, the environment, and civil liberties. The segment concludes with the case of Salah Sassour, a Palestinian-born U.S. lawful permanent resident and community leader imprisoned in an ICE jail since March, accused of failing to disclose a youth conviction in the West Bank. His son and legal team describe the case as a political weaponization of immigration to silence pro-Palestinian speech, framing it as a constitutional crisis and a test of American values. Throughout, the show underscores the tension between authoritarian overreach and democratic resistance. Key takeaways include: 1) The U.S. public health system is in crisis due to politicization and mass firings at the FDA and CDC; 2) Grassroots movements are effectively challenging AI expansion by targeting data centers as focal points of resistance; 3) The Trump administration is weaponizing immigration enforcement against pro-Palestinian activists; 4) Democratic governance of AI requires not just regulation but a pause to reclaim public control; 5) The erosion of science-based institutions undermines national security and public safety; 6) Citizens must organize locally to resist corporate and state overreach; 7) The fight for justice is deeply personal, as seen in the human cost of detention; 8) Media and political accountability are essential to prevent authoritarianism. The overall tone is one of urgent concern mixed with hope, as the show emphasizes that resistance is not only possible but already succeeding in key arenas.