Too many people know the truth but are afraid to say it. I will.

We are in a constitutional crisis.

I don’t mean this in the general sense of Donald Trump flouting the law or violating norms. I mean specifically that, with only days before the midterm elections, Trump is using the power of the federal government to threaten states, intimidate election officials and disenfranchise voters.

This is most obvious in California, where his Department of Justice demanded that state election officials set aside ballots from 20,000 voters the Trump administration claims to believe are noncitizens.

When the election officials refused, the DOJ sued. Then it threatened criminal prosecution. Trump said the election officials in California “will all go to jail for a long period of time.”

This week, Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to commit to respecting state election results. He made clear that the DOJ would interfere in the elections or their certification if it deems it necessary. The U.S. Constitution bars such conduct, but Trump doesn’t care, and neither do his government lawyers.

Blanche also made clear that the DOJ is poised to sue other states on similar grounds.

Over the last two years, legacy media outlets have done everything they can to normalize Trump’s threats and attacks on democracy.

When he says he wants Republicans to take over the voting in blue cities, they dismiss it as mere rhetoric. When he claims the power to control ballot counting, they excuse it as politics. When he says he wants to rig elections, they insist both sides use heated words.

I’ve been here before. In 2020, I was called an alarmist when I said Trump would never concede. When I defeated Trump and his allies in court, I was told he was simply letting the process play out.

Then came Jan. 6.

For a while, many of my critics grew quiet. But then came the Biden era, Merrick Garland and a belief that we could return to normalcy. What I saw as MAGA regrouping, others hailed as a new era of civility and norms.

Sadly, over the last two years, I have been proven right. Yet here we are, and once again I am being told that my warning — that we are in a constitutional crisis over this election — is overblown.

As we approach Election Day, I worry that the attacks will only get worse. Trump will grow more and more desperate to prevent a blue wave. And when Trump gets desperate, he gets dangerous.

I expect the DOJ will expand its targets and escalate its tactics.

I built Democracy Docket for times like this — when you need answers and deep analysis, not both-sides pablum. The team is larger than ever, with 37 full-time employees. It is producing more content and reaching more people.

But it needs to keep growing. Without corporate backers, that means relying on our subscribers and premium members.

If you have been considering becoming a premium member, please do so now. Over the next few weeks, Democracy Docket will be working around the clock to expose Trump and explain the crisis we face.

If now is not the right time, I understand, and I thank you for staying in this fight with me. It means more than you know.

It remains to be seen how big a crisis we face and how it will be resolved. But I am certain we will get through it together.

In busy times like these, I always appreciate your messages of hope and encouragement. They keep me going and power me toward Election Day.