“No knight in shining armor is coming to save democracy. We’re the ones who will have to save our democracy and our rights," Clinton wrote in her annual letter to the philanthropic community.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement to philanthropists this week, warning that "democracy is under siege," and calling on them to "lead the way" in saving "our rights."

"No knight in shining armor is coming to save democracy. We`re the ones who will have to save our democracy and our rights. Civil society, philanthropies, activists, faith communities, mission-driven companies, citizens - we must lead the way," Clinton wrote in her annual letter to the philanthropic community.

No knight in shining armor is coming to save democracy. We're the ones who will have to save our democracy and our rights.

My annual letter to the philanthropic community: https://t.co/ss8fSu2DVi

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 28, 2026

Clinton`s call to action comes amid recent findings showing autocratic governments have outnumbered democracies for the first time in 20 years. She compared those governments to the U.S, warning of health care, education, economic and disaster relief programs "being dismantled" recently.

Her letter went on to warn of the spread of misinformation in a "post-truth world," claiming "social media has made it possible for bad actors to further divide Americans."

Clinton emphasized that women`s rights remain "an urgent frontline" in the fight for democracy, citing right-wing attacks on reproductive health care and efforts to push women out of the military.

"The takeaway is clear: if you`re fighting for democracy, you`re fighting for women. And if you`re fighting for women, you`re fighting for democracy," Clinton wrote

"So when autocrats move to suppress democracy, they target women by rolling back legal protections, dismantling reproductive healthcare, and pushing women out of public life and back into the home," she continued.

Clinton railed against the federal government, led by President Donald Trump, stating it is no "longer effective or accountable." She praised those responding to defend democracy by contributing to high voter turnouts at elections across the country and demonstrating at massive protests.

"I wish I could give you an easy guide: five simple steps to defend democracy. But it`s not easy, and there is no simple guide. We have to do many things, all at once," Clinton wrote. "Defend democracy with peaceful protests. Defend it with lawsuits against legal and constitutional abuses in the courts. Defend it at the ballot box."