“We’re a Republic, Not a Democracy”—Congrats, You Just Googled Half a Fact

One of the most common talking points among MAGA Republicans is the claim that “America is a republic, not a democracy.” They throw this phrase around as if it’s some profound revelation, often using it to justify minority rule, resist popular reforms, and dismiss democratic principles they find inconvenient. But this argument is not only misleading—it is factually and historically wrong.

The United States Is Both a Republic and a Democracy

Let’s start with the basics. The United States is a constitutional democratic republic. These terms are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they complement each other.

• A republic is a system of government in which power resides with the people, and representatives govern according to laws.

• A democracy is a system where people have a direct or indirect role in governing, often through elections and participation in decision-making.

• The U.S. is both because we elect representatives (a republic) through democratic means (voting, majority rule, and constitutional protections). The key feature of our system is democracy—without it, we wouldn’t have a functioning republic at all.

  
  

The Evidence Is in Our Laws

If the U.S. were not a democracy, why would so many of our laws be based on voting and majority rule?

• Every level of government—local, state, and federal—relies on elections where the majority determines leadership.

• The Constitution and amendments explicitly protect voting rights, from abolishing poll taxes to lowering the voting age.

• Court rulings have reinforced one person, one vote, striking down racist and exclusionary policies that attempted to undermine democracy.

When MAGA extremists argue that the U.S. is “not a democracy,” they ignore the fact that our government is designed to function based on the will of the people.

MAGA’s Real Agenda: Undermining Majority Rule

So, why do MAGA Republicans push this “we’re a republic, not a democracy” nonsense? Because it serves their political agenda: justifying minority rule and suppressing the will of the people.

• They use this argument to defend gerrymandering, where they rig district maps to win elections without winning a majority of votes.

• They push voter suppression laws, making it harder for marginalized communities to participate in democracy.

• They embrace the Electoral College’s flaws, which have allowed candidates who lose the popular vote (like Trump in 2016) to take office anyway.

This rhetoric is not about accuracy. It’s about controlling power without the consent of the governed—which is exactly what authoritarianism looks like.

Democracy Is Under Threat—We Must Defend It

MAGA extremists want Americans to believe that democracy is some kind of dangerous experiment rather than the foundation of our country. But the reality is that every expansion of democracy—from ending Jim Crow laws to protecting voting rights—has made us stronger.

We cannot let their misleading rhetoric go unchallenged. The United States is a democratic republic, and that democracy is worth fighting for. When they say, “We’re a republic, not a democracy,” what they really mean is, “We don’t want the majority to have a say.” That’s not patriotism—it’s authoritarianism in disguise.

If we want to preserve the freedoms we cherish, we must reject their lies and stand up for a government of, by, and for the people—which means ensuring our democracy remains strong.