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

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
Trump Administration Backs Off Illegal Demand for SNAP Data
The reversal comes in response to a lawsuit filed by SNAP recipients and advocacy organizations.
June 4, 2025
USDA Sued for Illegally Demanding the Personal Information of Millions of SNAP Recipients From States
States become new battleground for the Department of Government Efficiency’s aggregation of Americans’ personal data
May 22, 2025
Federal Trade Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro M. Bedoya File Motion for Summary Judgment in Suit Against Trump Administration
FTC Commissioners File Motion for Summary Judgment in Suit Against Trump Administration
April 11, 2025

Former DOJ Officials Condemn Trump’s Abuses of Power and Assault on Legal Independence
Nonpartisan civil service signatories warn that attacks on law firms and lawyers undermine the rule of law and call on the legal community to stand up for constitutional principles.
March 31, 2025
Federal Trade Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro M. Bedoya Sue Trump Administration for Attempted Illegal Firings
The Trump administration this month attempted to fire Federal Trade Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro M. Bedoya, without cause, before their Senate-confirmed terms were up.
March 27, 2025
Federal Court issues order stopping DOGE from accessing private data at three federal agencies
Federal Court issues order stopping DOGE from accessing private data at three federal agencies
March 24, 2025

New Poll Finds Republicans Oppose Pardons For Violent January 6 Convicts
A new poll finds that most Americans in the most competitive Congressional districts do not want Trump to focus on Jan. 6 pardons — including most Republicans.
January 16, 2025

Federal Jury Finds Ringleader of 2020 “Trump Train” Attack on Biden-Harris Campaign Bus Liable under Ku Klux Klan Act
A federal jury in Texas today found the lead organizer in the Texas “Trump Train” trial liable for using threats and intimidation.
September 23, 2024

National Security Leaders Weigh in on Unconventional Domestic National Guard Deployments in 2024
On April 29, Count Every Hero convened retired high-ranking military officials and former senior defense officials to discuss the recent surge in state directed National Guard deployments.
April 30, 2024