The New Yorker Radio Hour: Senator Chris Murphy on the Fragility of American Democracy

Episode: *Senator Chris Murphy: “This Is How Democracy Dies—Everybody Just Gets Scared”
Release Date: March 28, 2025
Host: David Remnick
Produced by: WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

Introduction: The Democratic Crisis

In this compelling episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour, host David Remnick engages in a profound conversation with Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut. The discussion centers on the alarming trajectory of American democracy amidst aggressive maneuvers by the Trump administration and the seemingly paralyzed response from the Democratic Party.

Defining the Democratic Crisis

Senator Murphy opens the dialogue by diagnosing the current political turmoil as a direct threat to the foundations of American democracy. He asserts:

“We have months, not years, before our democracy is rendered so damaged such that it can't be repaired.”
(02:25)

Murphy articulates his belief that the Republican Party, under Trump's influence, prioritizes power over democratic principles. He draws parallels to authoritarian regimes, stating:

“This is Hungary. This is Turkey. This is Serbia. There are plenty of countries all around the world that hold elections. It's just one party continues to win.”
(03:30)

Republican Strategies and Democratic Complacency

Murphy criticizes Republican colleagues for their complicity and reluctance to confront Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. He explains that many Republicans are either in denial or too intimidated to oppose Trump directly:

“Most of them will tell you that it's not as bad as you think. Yes, Donald Trump is acting in a way that previous presidents have not, but we will still have a free and fair election.”
(03:38)

He further highlights the strategic dismantling of democratic institutions by targeting academia and the legal community, aiming to suppress dissent and weaken opposition:

“What will happen here, what inevitably happens in every democracy in which this tactic is tried, is that they won't have to come after every institution or every firm, because most of them will just decide in advance to stay out of the way.”
(04:25)

The Broken Democratic Brand

A significant portion of the conversation delves into the Democratic Party's current struggles. Murphy labels the party as a "broken brand" and laments its inability to effectively communicate its vision beyond merely defending the existing democratic framework.

“We have become the status quo party and so we have reverted to defending democracy instead of explaining how we are going to break it down and reform it.”
(07:25)

Murphy criticizes the party's stringent stance on social and cultural issues, which he believes alienates potential allies:

“We've got to be a party that invites people in as long as they agree with us on the basic economic message and build our party with a little bit more acceptance of people who have diverging views on social and cultural issues.”
(07:25)

Proposed Solutions: Embracing Populist Economics and Anti-Corruption

Senator Murphy advocates for a strategic realignment of the Democratic Party, emphasizing populist economic policies and a robust anti-corruption platform. He suggests that focusing on economic reforms can broaden the party's appeal:

“First is making the decision that economics is the tent pole and populist economics, that means that you are going to have a party, frankly, that sounds a little bit more like Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren.”
(08:24)

Murphy underscores the necessity of addressing corruption head-on, highlighting the Trump administration's blatant ethical violations:

“Trump has been very effective in being so public about his corruption that it ends up with it being normalized.”
(19:50)

He calls for comprehensive measures such as enforcing the STOCK Act to prevent insider trading by government officials and eliminating private donations that influence political decisions:

“If Democrats run on cleaning up Washington with real, actual plans to, for instance, get private money completely out of politics, to pass the STOCK act... And we run on populist economics, I think that's a winner.”
(18:21)

Rebuilding Democratic Infrastructure and Mobilization

Murphy identifies a critical weakness in the Democratic Party’s infrastructure compared to the Republicans. He points out that the GOP has a well-established system for mobilizing voters and sustaining political influence, whereas the Democrats lack a robust, permanent infrastructure:

“The Republicans have a permanent political infrastructure, mobilizing legal messaging, intellectual. The Democrats have a very thin permanent infrastructure.”
(24:16)

He emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to foster greater public engagement and grassroots mobilization to counteract Republican strategies aimed at weakening opposition:

“We have to build a political infrastructure that can plug people in. And that's what we've been really terrible at doing over the years.”
(24:16)

Leadership and Risk-Taking in the Senate

The conversation shifts to the role of Democratic leadership, particularly focusing on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Murphy questions whether Schumer's strategies effectively address the threats to democracy or if they contribute to the party's paralysis:

“He can be. I mean, listen, it's not easy to be leader of this party. There are a lot of diverse views inside the caucus...”
(20:53)

Murphy argues for more assertive actions by Democrats, even if it means taking unpopular stances that could risk short-term political gains in favor of long-term democratic integrity:

“We could make that decision as a party. Now, that would mean that occasionally Democrats would need to vote no on legislation that on the merits they may support... But if you think that democracy is the number one, number two and number three story, then you have to act like it.”
(23:05)

Public Mobilization and Future Elections

Looking ahead, Murphy expresses grave concerns about the upcoming 2026 elections, fearing that fundamental aspects of democratic opposition may be dismantled:

“I think we will not have a free and fair election in 2026. It may not even be that, you know, the mechanics of the election are rigged... the infrastructure necessary for an opposition to win will have been destroyed.”
(12:15)

He calls for immediate and strategic actions to prevent this dystopian outcome, urging the Democratic Party to prioritize protecting democratic norms over conventional political maneuvering:

“Everything you do right now has to be in service of stopping that kind of weakening or destruction of democracy.”
(12:23)

Conclusion: A Call to Action

As the episode concludes, Senator Murphy reinforces the urgency of reimagining the Democratic Party’s strategy to safeguard democracy. He emphasizes that the survival of democratic institutions hinges on the party's ability to adapt, reform, and mobilize effectively against authoritarian tendencies.

“If Democrats run on cleaning up Washington with real, actual plans... and run on populist economics, I think that's a winner. And it's a way for people to stand up and support democracy, but only a reformed version of democracy.”
(18:21)

David Remnick encapsulates Murphy's message by acknowledging the senator’s pivotal role in advocating for these critical changes, leaving listeners with a profound understanding of the challenges and necessary actions to preserve American democracy.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Murphy: “This is how democracy dies, that everybody just gets scared.” (04:25)
• Chris Murphy: “We're not convinced by our argument in 2024 because we were shilling for the existing version of democracy, which is deeply corrupt, which does not work.” (18:21)
• Chris Murphy: “If you think that democracy is the number one, number two and number three story, then you have to act like it.” (23:05)

This episode serves as a critical examination of the current state of American politics, urging both the Democratic Party and the public to recognize and address the profound threats to democratic integrity. Senator Chris Murphy’s insights provide a sobering reminder of the fragile nature of democracy and the collective responsibility to defend it.