
Defending the Rule of Law
Our Work
In the 21st Century, democracies have tended to die not at the barrel of a gun but by the gradual erosion of democratic norms and guardrails.

Would-be authoritarians often abuse their power, using it to eliminate checks on their power, 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 of power 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.
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.
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.

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

Towards Non-Recurrence: Accountability Options for Trump-Era Transgressions
Towards Non-Recurrence: Accountability Options for Trump-Era Transgressions

January 8 Was A Terrible Day For Brazilian Democracy. It Was Not Another January 6.
Unlike in the United States, major political allies of Bolsonaro acknowledged his opponent’s win right out of the gate and spoke out quickly in support of democracy.

Jessica Denson & Protect Democracy on Precipice of Forever Voiding All 2016 Trump Campaign NDAs, Pending Court Approval
Today Lead Plaintiff Jessica Denson and the 2016 Trump presidential campaign filed a proposed settlement agreement to forever free all campaign workers formerly bound to silence.

Legislative Wins for Democracy in 2022
An overview of the democracy reform legislation passed in the 117th Congress

The 117th Congress Left American Democracy Stronger Than It Found It
With advances on ECA reform and other democracy legislation, a departing Congress leaves American democracy in slightly better shape than it found it for the first time in over a decade.

Three Huge Wins for Democracy in 2022
An extensive recounting of how we achieved three of our top priorities for 2022: reforming the Electoral Count Act, ensuring accountability for January 6th, and combatting disinformation in court.

Former Members of Congress Demand Ethics Investigation of Lawmakers Who Sought to Prevent Transfer of Presidential Power
More than three dozen former members of Congress have called for an Office of Congressional Ethics investigation into lawmakers who sought to prevent a peaceful transfer of power.

How Democracy Concerns & January 6th Influenced Midterm Voting
New January 6th midterm polls finds that voters—especially voters who split the ticket—were strongly motivated to respond to threats to democracy.

Ideologically Diverse Coalition Urges Congress to Enact National Emergencies Act Reform
An ideologically diverse coalition urges congressional leadership to enact National Emergencies Act reform before the end of the 117th Congress.

More than 1,000 DOJ Alumni Explain Ongoing Investigations of Trump Should Not Be Deterred by His Presidential Candidacy
The Department of Justice alumni explain that investigations into Trump are required by the Department’s rules.

The January 6 Committee Was a Boon to Democracy
Despite severe limitations and outsized expectations, the official investigation into the attack on the Capitol achieved the same measure of success as other similar inquiries.