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
Related News & Resources
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Survey finds cross-partisan opposition to January 6 pardons
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The ARTICLE ONE ActÂ
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The civil service, explained
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Congressional Testimony: How to Strengthen Congressional Oversight Capacity Congressional Testimony:
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
PEN America v. Escambia County School Board
Protect Democracy represents PEN America in litigation challenging the constitutionality of book bans in Escambia County.
May 17, 2023
Douša v. DHS
Protect Democracy and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP filed a lawsuit on behalf of Reverend Kaji Douša, challenging a previously secret Department of Homeland Security (DHS) surveillance operation.
March 21, 2023
Protect Democracy Files SCOTUS Briefs Asking Court to Scrutinize Emergency Powers
Protect Democracy has filed amicus briefs in two cases at the Supreme Court concerning uses of emergency powers purportedly related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
February 3, 2023
Blassingame v. Trump and Moore v. Trump
Protect Democracy sued former President Trump on behalf of Capitol Police Officers who were injured during the January 6th insurrection.
October 3, 2022
Vindman v. Trump Jr., Giuliani, Scavino, and Hahn
Protect Democracy filed suit on behalf of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman to defend federal officials who carry out their duty to report misconduct and testify in impeachment proceedings.
February 2, 2022
Qassim Soleimani FOIA Lawsuit
Protect Democracy sued the Trump administration to uncover the legal basis for the targeted killing of Qassim Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force.
January 22, 2022
Thompson v. Trump
Amicus briefs filed by a bipartisan group of former members of Congress explain why it was Congress’s right to review documents that Trump was withholding.
December 9, 2021
Don’t Shoot Portland v. Wolf
This lawsuit contended that federal law enforcement officers exceeded the limits of their authority in Portland, Oregon, in response to protests.
July 27, 2020
ASISTA v. Albence
In February 2020, Protect Democracy filed a lawsuit alleging that Matthew Albence, the purported Acting Director of ICE was not legally serving in that position.
July 17, 2020
