Saving American Democracy: Legislating for Election Integrity, Public Trust, and Pluralism

Please join the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs for a conversation with Jeh Johnson, lawyer and former United States Secretary of Homeland Security. Drawing on his recent work on the American Bar Association Task Force for American Democracy, Johnson will discuss America's democratic crisis and how to create state and federal legislation to ensure election integrity and safety, restore public trust in American institutions, and foster a strong and pluralistic civil society.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson was General Counsel of the Department of Defense, General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force, and an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. Secretary Johnson is now co-chair of the Board of Trustees of Columbia University, and on the board of directors of MetLife and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. He is a regular commentator on NBC’s Meet The Press, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, FOX’s Fox & Friends, CNN, NewsNation and other news networks. For much of his career, Johnson was a trial attorney in private practice with the law firm Paul Weiss, and he is also a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Johnson retired from Paul Weiss in June 2025. Johnson is a graduate of Morehouse College and Columbia Law School and the recipient of 13 honorary degrees.

The seminar will be moderated by Belfer Center Director Meghan O'Sullivan, Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School. 

Attendance is in-person and for HUID holders only. Space is limited so please only RSVP if you plan to attend. 

Submitting your registration does not confirm your attendance. If you are confirmed to attend this event, you will receive an email from a member of the Belfer Center Operations Team with arrival details ahead of the event.