Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts Trump Thwarted, Orban Toppled: The New Roadmap for Democrats
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Apr 18, 2026 
Norm Eisen, former U.S. ambassador and democracy advocate, outlines a roadmap for democratic repair. He discusses Hungary’s rebuke to illiberalism and lessons for the U.S. He highlights legal fights that blocked authoritarian moves. He lays out a concise agenda: court reform, anti-corruption, safeguarding elections, turnout strategy, and practical steps for 2026.
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Democracy Can Reverse Deep Entrenchment
- Even seemingly entrenched autocrats can be toppled by sustained pro-democracy pushback.
- Norm Eisen contrasts Hungary's long resistance with a concentrated 15-month legal and civic surge in the U.S. that repeatedly thwarted Trump.
300 Legal Cases Thwarted Trump Abuses
- Democracy Defenders filed roughly 300 legal challenges that repeatedly blocked Trump-era abuses across agencies and elections.
- Eisen recounts court wins: National Guard deployment, independent agency defenses, and blocking election takeover efforts.
Turnout Too Big To Cheat Wins Elections
- The ultimate safeguard against election subversion is turnout margins too large to cheat.
- Eisen argues Orban lost because even heavy manipulation can't overcome overwhelming voter turnout.