Keepers of Our Republic

"Judges Can't Defend Themselves." Why the Legal Profession Must Step Up

In this episode, we sit down with Judge Robert Henry, former judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, former Oklahoma Attorney General, and Jurist in Residence for Rule of Law at the University of Washington School of Law. Recorded at the University of Washington School of Law's *Neither Sword nor Purse* conference, Judge Henry reflects on why judicial independence has been essential since the nation's founding, and why he believes it faces unprecedented challenges today. He discusses declining public trust in the courts, the ethical responsibilities of lawyers and judges, growing attacks on members of the judiciary, and why former judges, attorneys, nonprofits, and everyday citizens all have a role to play in defending the rule of law. Drawing on decades of experience in public service and the judiciary, Judge Henry offers a thoughtful perspective on what is at stake if Americans lose confidence in an independent third branch of government, and why protecting the rule of law requires all of us. --- Welcome back to "Keepers of Our Republic", a weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Every week, we feature thoughtful conversations with election administrators, retired federal judges, legal scholars, and civic leaders.  Together, we explore how elections really work, why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and how an informed public helps safeguard the rule of law. Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at https://keepourrepublic.org [https://keepourrepublic.org].

Georgia's Election Rules Keep Changing, Are Rural Counties Paying the Price?

In this episode, host Tate Fall sits down with Tonnie Adams, Elections Supervisor for Heard County, Georgia, and one of the state's most experienced election administrators. Tonnie shares how he went from a Georgia Tech engineering graduate helping implement Georgia's first statewide electronic voting system to becoming the election official responsible for serving nearly 9,000 voters in rural Georgia. Together, they discuss what voters often don't see behind the scenes of election administration, from logic and accuracy testing to post-election audits and the challenges of implementing new election rules with limited resources. The conversation also explores Georgia's recent primary election, record voter turnout, the growing role of state election policy, and why local election officials are often asked to do more with less. Throughout it all, Tonnie offers a candid look at what motivates election officials to keep showing up—and why he believes they are the "doorkeepers of democracy." -- Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world. Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org [https://keepourrepublic.org]

This Georgia Election Office Calls Itself the Chick-fil-A of Voting

In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, former Georgia election official Tate Fall sits down with Rebecca Anglin, Director of Elections in Greene County, Georgia, to talk about what it really takes to run elections at the local level, and why her office proudly calls itself the “Chick-fil-A of voting.” Rebecca shares her journey from teenage poll worker to county election director and reflects on more than two decades working in nearly every role in Georgia elections. The conversation explores voter education, transparency, poll worker recruitment, election audits, and why local election officials remain deeply committed to serving every voter, even during some of the most difficult years for election administration. They also discuss the importance of civic participation, why local elections matter, and what voters can do to become more informed and engaged before heading to the polls. --  Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world. Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org

Can Civics Education Save Democracy? Judges & Educators React

This week on Keepers of Our Republic, host Brooke Bergen speaks with civic educators, legal scholars, and former judges at the University of Washington School of Law. They chat about the growing civics education gap in the United States, and what it means for the future of democracy. Guests discuss declining public trust in government and the judiciary, why so many Americans misunderstand how courts actually work, and the long-term consequences of civic disengagement. From media literacy and youth apathy to judicial independence and the role of teachers, this episode explores how education can help rebuild trust in democratic institutions. Featuring conversations with: Corey Paulson, Head of Civics Education & Development at Teach with TVW Louise Dubé, CEO of iCivics Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, UC Berkeley School of Law Judge Benes Aldana (Ret.), Former President & CEO, National Judicial College --  Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world. Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org

“The House Is on Fire”: Former Federal Judges Sound the Alarm

In this special episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host Brooke Bergen travels to the University of Washington School of Law for a judicial conference featuring some of the nation’s leading former federal judges, legal scholars, and attorneys. Through a series of conversations with retired federal judges from across the country, this episode explores growing threats to judicial independence, the erosion of public trust in the courts, and why the rule of law depends on an informed public. Guests discuss the rise in attacks against judges, misinformation about the judiciary, civic education, judicial security, and the responsibility lawyers and judges share in helping Americans better understand how the courts really work. Featuring conversations with: - Judge Thomas Griffith (Ret.), Former Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia - Judge Paul Grimm (Ret.), Former Judge, United States District Court for the District of Maryland - Judge Abdul Kallon (Ret.) Former Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama - Judge Bernice Donald (Ret.) Former Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit - Judge Nancy Gertner (Ret.) Former Judge, United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts -- Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world. Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org  [https://keepourrepublic.org ]