What We’re Watching - 10/31/25
With so much going on, it is understandable for people to feel news whiplash. To help our partners stay focused and find the signal in the noise, we are happy to share what we are tracking:
The Main Point: Recent developments reflect a deepening test of how our institutions function and how citizens and community leaders can help hold them accountable.
Some Examples:
National Guard deployments– National Guard deployments continue, and continue to be challenged, in several U.S. cities, including Memphis, Washington, D.C., Portland, and Chicago, testing the boundaries of long-established legal and political precedent restraining domestic military deployment. Join our webinar “Guardrails & the Guard: What Jewish Communities Should Know About National Guard Deployments and Democratic Norms” November 6 to learn more.
Core voting protections up for judicial review– The Supreme Court is hearing a case that may invalidate a key section of the Voting Rights Act, which was reauthorized with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2006 to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote.
Government shut down– The federal government remains partially shut down, with the House still yet to pass a funding bill. The impasse stems from sharp political divisions between Democrats and Republicans, and has shown little sign of abating. Federal agencies have posted messages blaming Democrats for closures, while Democratic states have pushed back—an alarming sign of partisanship in traditionally neutral government functions. The government has also attempted to fire thousands of employees in a move initially declared illegal by a judge.
Why it matters: These moments test whether our institutions still serve the public good — and whether we, as citizens and community leaders, can help ensure they do. When core functions of democracy become partisan, accountability blurs and trust erodes. Strengthening democracy requires not just good laws, but principled leaders and engaged communities willing to defend them.
