Former U.S. Attorney and University of Michigan Law School professor Barbara McQuade is sounding the alarm on disinformation with her new book, "Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America." McQuade's recent interview with the Detroit Free Press revealed a detailed look at the spread of false narratives and their impact on American democratic values. She equates today's struggle against lies to past battles against fascism, a nod to the legacy of fallen soldiers in the fight for truth and democracy.
The book, published by Seven Stories Press, isn't a hit piece on any specific administration or a personal confession from any Trump staffers. Instead, it's McQuade's plea for truth over tribalism. "We have become so aligned with our tribes, that we have been willing to sacrifice truth ... Whether you’re on the right or the left, that kind of tribe-over-truth (behavior) is unpatriotic," McQuade told Detroit Free Press. Her call to action champions ethics for social media platforms and stronger local journalism as antidotes to the viral spread of lies.
McQuade's authority extends beyond her legal and academic credentials—she's a familiar face on MSNBC and NBC News as a legal analyst, sharing insights on air and through the "#SistersInLaw" podcast. Her transition to media circles wasn't entirely planned. "I was on my very first day of new employee orientation in early May of 2017 when I got a call asking if I could appear on MSNBC that evening, really out of the blue," McQuade recounted during a Just Security excerpt.
The book not only outlines the problem, but it dives deep into solutions. McQuade's call to action includes practical steps such as pushing for laws on technological crackdowns, and civics education to outthink and outmaneuver disinformation campaigns. Her brush with misinformation, a retweeted fake ESPN post, serves as a cautionary tale emphasizing that anyone can be duped. She distinguishes between disinformation, lies peddled with intent to deceive, and misinformation, the unwitting spread of those lies, as posted by the University of Michigan.
McQuade's legal background underscores her views on the dangers of vigilantism masquerading as justice. She takes a critical look at citizen's arrest laws and unauthorized militias, a sentiment echoed in her writings on Just Security, arguing for stricter enforcement of laws against private paramilitary activity to uphold the rule of law.
As McQuade continues to promote her new book with appearances across Michigan, her message is front and center: democracy is at stake and the fight against the tirade of disinformation is a collective responsibility. She offers a stark choice — engage and preserve democratic traditions or risk succumbing to the allure of authoritarian rule. For more on her upcoming events and discussions on her book, visit the Detroit Public Library and MotorCity Casino Hotel's websites for details.
