By Tony Bruce & Mary Jones | Sunday, May 11, 2025 | 7 min read
Taking back the White House in 2028 will be one of the greatest challenges Democrats have ever faced. The damage inflicted by the Trump administration—and the shadow it still casts—is staggering. Years of institutional sabotage, corruption, and authoritarian creep have left deep scars on American democracy. Rebuilding won’t happen by accident. It will take strategy, resolve, and a leader with the spine to pursue justice without compromise.
Let’s call it what it is: Democrats’ Project 2028—a national mission rooted in the hopes of ordinary Americans and aimed squarely at dismantling the oligarchs who’ve hijacked our democracy. Trumpism isn’t just a bad memory—it’s an ongoing threat, fueled by billionaires, disinformation, and a Republican Party increasingly hostile to democratic norms.
This is a fight to restore what’s been lost and protect what still remains. Reclaiming the future demands more than votes—it demands a movement rooted in truth, driven by purpose, and unwilling to let this country slide any further into authoritarian decay.
That’s why the campaign message must be clear, urgent, and inspiring: R.A.G.E. — Restore America. Guard Elections. And starting today, Democrats must declare a national Day of R.A.G.E. This isn’t fury for the sake of outrage. It’s principled anger—an unflinching refusal to let democracy be dismantled. R.A.G.E. captures the emotional truth of the moment: we are in a fight for the soul of the nation. It’s a commitment to restoring the republic and protecting the very machinery of free and fair elections.
The Daunting Task Ahead: Assessing the Damage
Before Democrats can move forward, they must fully grasp the extent of the damage. Reports suggest that the Trump administration engaged in widespread document mismanagement, with allegations of destroyed records, obstructed investigations, and a Justice Department that often appeared more like a political shield than an impartial enforcer of the law.
If Trump is ousted or loses influence in 2028, there’s a real risk that his allies could engage in last-minute destruction of sensitive files—just as Nixon’s team attempted during Watergate. The current FBI and Justice Department may still be hampered by years of politicization. Democrats must anticipate this and have a plan in place to secure records, hold bad actors accountable, and ensure a smooth transition of power.
The Candidate: A Leader Beyond Reproach
To reclaim the White House, Democrats must nominate a candidate who embodies integrity. This person must have a spotless record—no ethical gray areas, no family scandals, no skeletons in the closet. Why? Because Republicans will weaponize any hint of impropriety to derail investigations into Trump’s abuses.
The Biden administration’s hesitance to aggressively pursue Trump’s crimes—likely driven by a fear that Republicans would retaliate by going after Hunter Biden—has been a catastrophic strategic failure. This caution has not only allowed Trump to escape the full consequences of his actions but also undermined the credibility of the administration’s commitment to justice.
Even at the presidential debates, Biden was paralyzed, cautious not to provoke Trump into launching a grenade at his family. This fear allowed Trump to control the narrative, playing on Biden’s reluctance to fully confront him. Biden’s failure to take a stronger, more decisive stance against Trump’s obvious corruption has given Trump the upper hand — and fueled the myth of a “deep state” double standard.
By failing to aggressively hold Trump accountable, Biden has allowed Trump to define the political battlefield, shifting the conversation from Trump’s criminal behavior to distracting attacks on the Bidens. It’s a fundamental misstep that has weakened both the public’s trust in the system and the Democrats’ ability to stand firm against a man who poses a direct threat to American democracy. The next Democratic nominee cannot afford such vulnerabilities. If the Justice Department is to investigate Trump-era misconduct without hesitation, the president must be untouchable.
Key Qualities of the Ideal Democratic Candidate:
- Unimpeachable Ethics – No conflicts of interest, no questionable business dealings.
- Strong Legal Background – Someone who understands the intricacies of prosecuting high-level corruption.
- Fearless Leadership – Willing to take on entrenched power without backing down.
- A Clean Family Record – No relatives whose past could be exploited as political leverage.
Step One: Secure the Transition
If Trump’s influence is broken in 2028, Democrats must act swiftly to prevent sabotage during the transition. This means:
- Demanding full document preservation – Legal teams should be ready to file injunctions if evidence is destroyed.
- Preventing midnight pardons – Any last-minute pardons for Trump allies should be challenged legally.
- Ensuring DOJ independence – The new administration must immediately restore the Justice Department’s autonomy, removing any Trump loyalists who could obstruct investigations.
Step Two: Investigate and Prosecute
Democrats cannot afford to let bygones be bygones. If Trump and his inner circle committed crimes—whether it’s election interference, financial fraud, or obstruction of justice—they must be held accountable. Failure to do so will only embolden future authoritarian leaders.
Potential Areas of Investigation:
- Obstruction of Justice – Trump’s repeated attempts to derail the January 6 investigation.
- Tax and Bank Fraud – Allegations of financial misconduct outlined in multiple reports.
- Inciting the January 6th Insurrection – His role in the Capitol riot must be fully examined.
- Abuse of Pardon Power – Whether pardons were used to shield allies from prosecution.
A new Democratic administration must appoint a special counsel with full authority to pursue these cases without political interference.
Step Three: Restore Public Trust in Government
Beyond prosecutions, Democrats must rebuild institutions that have been systematically weakened:
- Depoliticizing the DOJ and FBI – Ensure these agencies operate independently, free from White House influence.
- Strengthening Whistleblower Protections – Encourage transparency without fear of retaliation.
- Reforming Presidential Powers – Limit abuses like unchecked pardons and arbitrary firings of inspectors general.
Step Four: A Vision Beyond Retribution
While accountability is crucial, Democrats must also offer a forward-looking agenda. Voters need to see a positive vision—not just a reaction to Trump. Key policy priorities should include:
- Voting Rights Expansion – Passing federal laws to counter GOP voter suppression.
- Economic Rebuilding – Addressing inequality with bold labor and tax reforms.
- Climate Action – Pushing aggressive environmental policies to combat the crisis.
- Healthcare Guarantees – Expanding access and lowering costs.
This is the heart of Rebuild the Future—not just undoing the damage but crafting a better, fairer, more resilient society.
How to Deal with the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court, hijacked by an ultra-conservative majority, has become a reliable firewall for Trumpism. If Democrats hope to restore balance to the republic, they must address this head-on.
1. Expand the Court: Add four justices to rebalance the bench after years of Republican manipulation and stolen seats.
2. Term Limits for Justices: Introduce legislation or pursue a constitutional amendment to implement 18-year staggered terms for Supreme Court justices.
3. Ethics Reform: Enforce a binding code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, holding them to the same standards as all federal judges.
4. Jurisdiction Stripping: Limit the kinds of cases the Supreme Court can rule on if it consistently undermines democratic processes.
5. Transparency in Recusals: Mandate public disclosure when justices refuse to recuse themselves in conflicts of interest, especially in cases involving Trump or his allies.
How to Confront the Media’s Role in Democracy’s Erosion
Corporate media has often failed in its duty to inform the public, amplifying disinformation, normalizing authoritarian rhetoric, and perpetuating false equivalencies. Democrats must no longer treat media neutrality as sacred when neutrality is exploited by bad actors.
1. Call Out False Equivalence: Challenge outlets that equate democratic accountability with political persecution. Democrats must assert the difference between lawful oversight and political retribution.
2. Elevate Independent Journalism: Support public media, nonprofit newsrooms, and investigative outlets that prioritize facts over clickbait.
3. Media Literacy Campaigns: Launch a national effort to educate citizens about media manipulation, algorithmic bias, and the dangers of misinformation.
4. Hold Platforms Accountable: Push legislation requiring tech platforms to de-amplify provable lies and label disinformation, especially about elections.
5. Use Democratic Media Channels Effectively: Build a stronger media ecosystem aligned with democratic values—podcasts, YouTube shows, newsletters—that bypass corporate gatekeepers and directly reach the public.
The Stakes Could Not Be Higher
The 2028 election isn’t just about winning—it’s about saving American democracy from further erosion. Democrats must nominate a leader who is clean, courageous, and ready to do the hard work of rebuilding. If they fail to hold Trump and his enablers accountable, they risk normalizing corruption and inviting even greater abuses in the future.
But if they succeed, they can restore faith in government and set the country on a path toward justice and stability.
Restore America. Guard Elections. That’s the message, the mission, and the mandate.
The playbook is clear: Secure the transition, investigate the crimes, restore institutions, reform the court, confront the media, and offer a compelling vision for the future. Anything less will be a disservice to the nation.
Project 2028 begins now. Declare a Day of R.A.G.E. and take the fight to the ballot box.
Copyright 2025 FN, NewsRoom.
