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.
![](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Our-Work-Abuses-Illustration-1-1200x675.png)
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
![The Bulwark Logo 2](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Bulwark-Logo-2-800x450.png)
Congressional Testimony: How to Strengthen Congressional Oversight Capacity Congressional Testimony:
![Donald Trump in the Oval Office.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2439449015-800x450.jpg)
Trump’s Schedule F plan, explained
In October 2020, the Trump Administration issued an executive order that would have stripped protections from civil servants perceived as disloyal.
June 11, 2024
![A White House Sign](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shutterstock_1269797095-800x450.jpg)
Presidential emergency powers, explained
In our constitutional system, a national emergency declaration allows the president to temporarily use certain authorities that Congress has previously approved.
July 17, 2024
![Illustration of handcuffs and the White House.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Pardons-Web-Illo-800x450.png)
Survey finds cross-partisan opposition to January 6 pardons
The survey found broad opposition to the proposition of pardoning those convicted of crimes related to the events of January 6, with 59 percent of voters opposing pardons for January 6 generally.
June 25, 2024
![An image of Donald Trump's signature on a bill.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Donald-Trump-Signature-800x450.jpeg)
The impoundment threat, explained
Trump’s position is wrong. There is no inherent power to impound. The history of presidential impoundments make this clear.
June 13, 2024
![Donald Trump in the Oval Office.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2439449015-800x450.jpg)
Trump’s Schedule F plan, explained
In October 2020, the Trump Administration issued an executive order that would have stripped protections from civil servants perceived as disloyal.
June 11, 2024
![Departments of Veterans Affairs Flag](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2304487545-800x450.jpg)
The civil service, explained
The civil service is the civilian workforce of the U.S. federal government, currently numbering about 2.2 million employees.
June 11, 2024
![Trump speaking at a podium.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/trump-podium-speaking-800x450.jpg)
The presidential pardon power, explained
Presidential pardons are subject to various constitutional constraints.
March 18, 2024
![](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_12940672-800x450.jpg)
The interesting history and opportunity of Biden’s evolution on war powers
The Yemen strikes show a need for Congress to reassert its role in war making and reestablish the balance the Founders envisioned.
March 5, 2024
![](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_123704254-800x450.jpg)
Why protecting school libraries can help protect our democracy
If successful, efforts to remove books based on viewpoint will grant government the power to warp and undermine the very democracy it was meant to serve.
January 18, 2024
![Donald Trump at a podium in black and white.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1390286738-800x450.jpg)
In deciding Trump’s ballot eligibility, the Supreme Court should apply the law without fear or favor
The question for the Supreme Court is as much about the Fourteenth Amendment as it is about whether the rule of law or the rule of the mob is the governing order of our land.
December 20, 2023
![Donald Trump with an American flag behind him.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/donald-trump-flag-800x450.jpg)
Understanding Trump’s pardon abuses
Although presidential pardons are often controversial, Trump created an entirely new class: what Protect Democracy categorizes as “henchmen pardons.”
November 29, 2023