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 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 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:

Investigating and Prosecuting Political Leaders in a Democracy
How to assess the difference between a political investigation and one bolstered by the rule of law.
May 9, 2023

Trump Prosecutions and the Rule of Law
It is crucial that the American public understand the charges against Trump and why it all matters.
November 7, 2023

Reforming the National Emergencies Act
Protect Democracy has led in the effort to reform the national emergency system to build stronger checks on the use of national emergencies.
November 3, 2022

Using OMB’s Apportionment Website: Resources for Congress
Resources for members of Congress and staff on how to use the Office of Management and Budget's public apportionment website.
November 3, 2022

Ensuring Accountability for the January 6, 2021 Insurrection
An overview of Protect Democracy's work in response to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.
October 31, 2022

Department of Justice Independence
Protect Democracy engages in litigation and advocacy to preserve the rule of law and prevent an authoritarian-minded executive from using government law enforcement powers as a political weapon.
October 28, 2022

Domestic Military Deployment Reforms
An overview of critical reforms concerning the domestic deployment of the U.S. National Guard.
October 25, 2022

Federal Vacancies Reform Act
We are working to reassert the FVRA, and have also proposed reforms to strengthen Congress’s capacity to fulfill its Constitutional role.
November 30, 2021

Protecting Against Militarization of Law Enforcement
Protect Democracy has made efforts to keep law enforcement from being used for military or political ends.
April 26, 2021

Protecting Congress’s Power of the Purse
For decades, Congress has given up control of one its most fundamental powers by delegating budget authority to the executive and engaging in insufficient oversight over federal spending.
July 1, 2020