Rep. Jamie Raskin Announces Run for House Judiciary Ranking Member: ‘We Must Defend the Principles of Democracy’

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) announced on Monday that he would be running to replace Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) as the ranking Democratic member of the House Judiciary Committee. Raskin’s decision was driven by what he described as growing threats from the “MAGA movement” following the re-election of Donald Trump.

“After a week consulting most of our Colleagues and engaging in serious introspection about where we are, I am running today to be your Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee in the 119th Congress,” Raskin wrote in a letter to fellow Democrats, told Axios. “This is where we will wage our front-line defense of the freedoms and rights of the people, the integrity of the Department of Justice and the FBI, and the security of our most precious birthright possessions: the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the rule of law, and democracy itself.”

Raskin cited alarming elements of the previous Trump administration, including “spectacular pay-to-play corruption, the overt plutocracy, and unrepentant misogyny and racism,” as well as a “cavalier lawlessness and contempt for the Constitution.” He expressed concern that this time, the MAGA movement had not only regained power but also had a “complicit Supreme Court” and a “dominant media propaganda system parroting all the lies.”

“But this time the MAGA movement has not only a trifecta but a complicit Supreme Court waiting in the wings and a dominant media propaganda system parroting all the lies,” Raskin warned. “House Democrats must stand in the breach to defend the principles and institutions of constitutional democracy.”

Raskin also took a moment to praise Nadler, acknowledging his “remarkable half-century of service in public office in New York and Congress.” If elected, Raskin pledged to turn to Nadler for guidance. “If I’m lucky enough to be chosen for this responsibility in the 119th Congress, I will turn to Jerry first and throughout for his always wise counsel and political judgment,” he said.

He also honored Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Jim Clyburn, calling them pillars of the party as House Democrats continue their fight against the emboldened MAGA movement. “New generations of Democratic leaders in the House will look to him just as we look every day to our great leaders Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Jim Clyburn— as we take the fight to Jim Jordan and an emboldened MAGA movement.”