The Presidential centers, spanning from Hoover to Bush and Obama, come together to express concern about the vulnerable condition of democracy in the United States.
The entities backing 13 presidential libraries, starting from Herbert Hoover’s, have expressed concern about the state of U.S. democracy due to intense national polarization. In response, they are urging a renewed dedication to fundamental principles such as the rule of law and the acceptance of diverse beliefs.
The statement released Thursday, the first time the libraries have joined to make such a public declaration, said Americans have a strong interest in supporting democratic movements and human rights around the world because “free societies elsewhere contribute to our own security and prosperity here at home.”
“I cannot reword”
The joint message from presidential centers, foundations and institutes emphasized the need for compassion, tolerance and pluralism while urging Americans to respect democratic institutions and uphold secure and accessible elections.
The statement acknowledged that “discussion and dissent” are crucial to democracy, but also hinted at the decline in respectful conversation in public spaces, especially when officials and their families are being threatened with harm.
“I cannot reword.”
The majority of the ex-presidents who are currently alive have been cautious in expressing their views on the condition of the country. This is due to the fact that many Republicans continue to believe the falsehoods spread by former President Donald Trump and his supporters, claiming that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent. Trump, a member of the Republican party, has also criticized the legal system as he confronts charges in four criminal lawsuits, two of which are connected to his attempts to challenge the outcome of his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden in the reelection.
Thursday’s statement stopped short of calling out individuals, but it still marked one of the most substantive acknowledgments that people associated with the nation’s former presidents are worried about the country’s trajectory.
“I believe there is significant worry regarding the condition of our democracy currently,” expressed Mark Updegrove, the CEO of the LBJ Foundation, an organization that provides support to the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. “We only need to reflect on the events of January 6 to recognize the precarious situation we find ourselves in.”
The LBJ Foundation finds particular importance in efforts to hinder or diminish voter participation, according to Updegrove. This is because President Lyndon Johnson regarded the signing of the Voting Rights Act as his most esteemed achievement in legislation.
The Hoover Presidential Foundation, the Roosevelt Institute, the Truman Library Institute, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, the LBJ Foundation, the Richard Nixon Foundation, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, the Carter Center, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation, the Clinton Foundation, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, and the Obama Presidential Center all signed a bipartisan statement. These organizations endorse presidential libraries established under the Presidential Library Act of 1955, along with the Eisenhower Foundation.
The Eisenhower Foundation made the decision not to sign and expressed in an emailed statement to The Associated Press: “The Eisenhower Foundation has respectfully chosen not to sign this statement. While it would be the first joint statement from the presidential centers and foundations, we have not had any collective discussions on the matter, only an invitation to sign.”
The foundation said each presidential entity had its own programs related to democracy.
Daniel Kramer, executive director of the George W. Bush Institute, took the lead in advocating for the joint statement. Kramer confirmed that the former president “reviewed and approved this statement.”
He stated that the intention behind the effort was to convey a positive message, serving as a reminder of our identity. Additionally, it aimed to highlight that when we are in a state of chaos or disagreement, people from other countries observe us and question the situation. He emphasized the importance of reminding Americans that their democracy should not be assumed as secure.
He said the Bush Institute has hosted several events on elections, including one as part of a joint initiative with the other groups called More Perfect that featured Bill Gates, a member of the board of supervisors in Arizona’s Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix. The county, its supervisors and its elections staff have been targeted repeatedly by election conspiracy theorists in recent years.
Gates and his family have faced threats from individuals who hold unfounded beliefs about election fraud.
Kramer stated that they aimed to emphasize the fact that the individuals in charge of our elections are fellow citizens. He mentioned that some of these individuals shared deeply saddening stories about the challenges and dangers they encountered.
He expressed his desire for the joint statement to receive extensive backing, but he acknowledged the uncertainty of its reception in these divided times.
Melissa Giller, the chief marketing officer at the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute, expressed that the decision to join was made promptly. The foundation was contacted shortly after introducing its new initiative, the Center on Public Civility in Washington, D.C. Giller stated that the statement embodies the core values of their center.
“I cannot reword”
Valerie Jarrett, the CEO of the Obama Foundation and a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama, confirmed that the former president endorsed the statement.
“I cannot reword”
Jarrett mentioned that a key focus of the foundation is to regain trust in the fundamental establishments that form the backbone of society. Accomplishing this involves combating false information and fostering circumstances where individuals have confidence in the integrity of our democracy.
She mentioned that Obama has organized a forum on democracy and intends to hold another one in Chicago later this year.
“I believe a key aspect is acknowledging our current vulnerability,” Jarrett stated, referring to the lack of a seamless and organized transfer of power in the previous election, as well as the public’s lack of confidence in the court system and elected representatives.
“The current state of our democracy bus seems to have some instability,” she expressed.
