Secured a nationwide injunction blocking border wall construction without congressional approval and helped enact power-of-the-purse legislation to ensure future presidents cannot circumvent Congress.
Defending the Rule of Law
Our Work
In the 21st century, democracies tend to die by the erosion of democratic norms and guardrails rather than at the barrel of a gun.

Would-be authoritarians often abuse their power, using it to eliminate checks and balances, quash dissent, target already marginalized communities, and deepen political divisions.
The Constitution and the laws we have built around it provide tools to constrain authoritarian behavior — but many of the norms and guardrails that help define our democracy are not written into law and are not self-enforcing. Together these restraints must be exercised (and strengthened) to prevent government officials from abusing their power and to ensure the law applies equally to everyone, from the most powerful to the least.
- Uphold the principle that nobody is above the law
- Ensure accountability for those who have attacked or undermined our democracy — regardless of their political standing
- Ensure meaningful checks and balances on executive power
- Stop abuses that target marginalized groups and their ability to participate in democracy
- Protect the ability of the public and the press to voice dissenting views
- Protect independent, non-politicized law enforcement and civil servant workforces
Helped prevent a sitting president from politicizing the Department of Justice to interfere in an election, in part through a multi-year campaign organizing thousands of Department of Justice alumni.
Impact in the News

Congressional Testimony: How to Strengthen Congressional Oversight Capacity Congressional Testimony:

Service secretaries and retired four-star admirals and generals file amicus brief on Los Angeles military deployment
On behalf of the following service secretaries and retired four-star admirals and generals, Protect Democracy highlighting the risks of Los Angeles military deployment.
June 12, 2025
Former Judges and Legal Experts Convene to Discuss Threats to the Rule of Law
Protect Democracy and Principles First convened legal, judicial, and law enforcement experts to discuss threats to the judiciary and rule of law.
July 31, 2025
Protect Democracy Files Amicus Brief Supporting Challenge to Trump’s Use of Emergency Power in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump
Protect Democracy argues the executive actions imposing the tariffs raise virtually every red flag about how emergency powers may be abused to undermine democracy.
July 30, 2025
Federal Efforts to Expand Access to Data from State-Run Programs and Individual Privacy
In this explainer, we highlight the potential harms associated with the federal government’s unprecedented efforts to access state administrative data
July 28, 2025

Nonprofit Toolkit: Resources for organizations facing government investigations
On this page, you’ll find short topic-specific primers that build on our full-length guide, Protecting Civic Space.
July 24, 2025

Nonprofit primer: What if…your organization is served with a subpoena?
Subpoenas are a common tool used in civil and criminal litigation, as well as federal and state government investigations. This primer will focus on the latter investigatory subpoena.
July 24, 2025

Nonprofit primer: What if…your organization is subject to a search warrant?
When interacting with government agents conducting a search, organizational staff should consider a wide range of factors.
July 24, 2025

Nonprofit primer: What if…your organization is the subject of a congressional investigation?
This primer offers an overview of best practices for nonprofits on responding to congressional inquiries.
July 24, 2025

Nonprofit primer: What if…your organization is subject to politicized executive actions?Â
These concrete actions offer important insights on responding to these politicized actions, so you can feel more confident if you are targeted.
July 24, 2025
OMB required to comply with law, show how it spends taxpayer dollars
Protect Democracy won a summary judgement granting a permanent injunction in our case against OMB for hiding how taxpayer dollars (apportionment data) are spent.
July 21, 2025
Protect Democracy files amicus brief challenging HHS’s disclosure of personal heath data to DHS
This lawsuit, brought by a multistate coalition, challenges HHS’s illegal disclosure of sensitive personal health data to the DHS.
July 18, 2025