When the Office of Management and Budget stopped following a law that requires them to publicly share how the White House is using federal taxpayer dollars, we sued and forced them to restore the data.
Stopping the Consolidation of Power
our work
We work to prevent unchecked power, defend the rule of law, and protect the right to dissent.
The United States must maintain three co-equal branches of government, each with their own responsibilities.
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 deployed (and strengthened) to prevent the executive branch from abusing its 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 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.
We are working with legislators in a number of states on legislation that would allow people to sue any official — federal, state, or local — who violates their constitutional rights.
Defending Maine communities from federal surveillance and intimidation
Protect Democracy is suing the Department of Homeland Security for violating the constitutional rights of Portland residents.
September 9, 2026
Restoring funding for Congressionally mandated education programs
We partnered with other organizations and individual citizens to sue the Office of Management and Budget to restore funds that Congress mandated for critical education services.
September 17, 2026
Bipartisan coalition of former top FCC officials back ABC’s First Amendment lawsuit against FCC
A bipartisan coalition of former FCC officials filed an amicus brief supporting ABC’s request for emergency relief in its lawsuit challenging the FCC’s early review of broadcast licenses.
September 17, 2026
Researchers challenge NIH screening of grants for disfavored viewpoints
Today, researchers filed a class action lawsuit challenging the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) policy of blocking grants in order to censor views it disagrees with.
September 16, 2026
President Trump’s corruption, explained
The president’s corruption can be directly connected to his election interference efforts, and his broader work to consolidate power.
September 14, 2026
Court blocks Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful loyalty question for federal job applicants
A federal court today blocked the Trump-Vance administration from using its unlawful “loyalty question” on federal civil service job applications.
September 11, 2026
Defending Maine communities from federal surveillance and intimidation
Protect Democracy is suing the Department of Homeland Security for violating the constitutional rights of Portland residents.
September 9, 2026
Uncovering the Trump administration’s secret rules for AI model release
Protect Democracy is suing to enforce a request for information about the framework the White House could use to review advanced AI models.
September 2, 2026
Protect Democracy applauds California legislature’s passage of the No Kings Act
If signed by the Governor, California would become the fifth state this year to let residents sue ICE, Border Patrol, and other federal agents for constitutional violations.
August 27, 2026
New amicus brief criticizes NSPM-7-authorized surveillance
The groups argue that the Trump administration has targeted the First Amendment expression of protesters, civil society, the free press, universities, and lawyers.
August 25, 2026
Uncovering how public money funds government propaganda
Protect Democracy sues ICE and CBP to enforce FOIA requests, seeking documents detailing the departments’ collaboration with content creators.
August 20, 2026