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.
Tracking retaliatory use of arrests, prosecutions, and investigations by the Trump administration
How to tell if the Trump DOJ is enforcing the law or retaliating against political enemies.
July 21, 2026
Protecting online safety research and advocacy from government censorship
Our lawsuit challenges a new U.S. immigration policy that targets technology researchers, advocates, and trust and safety professionals.
July 14, 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.
June 30, 2026
DHS’s Home Entry Memo violates the constitutional rights of immigrants and citizens alike
We filed a lawsuit against ICE and DHS on behalf of immigrants and U.S. citizens who have had their Fourth Amendment rights violated by DHS’s secret warrantless home entry memo.
April 2, 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.
February 23, 2026
Challenging the federal use of chemical weapons against Portland residents
Protect Democracy is suing the Department of Homeland Security for violating the constitutional rights of Portland residents.
January 6, 2026
“Loyalty hiring” is politicizing the civil service. It’s illegal.
Protect Democracy filed suit arguing that the Merit Hiring Plan, and the inclusion of a “loyalty question” in non-political job postings, violates the First Amendment.
November 6, 2025
Protecting protesters and the press from unconstitutional federal force in Illinois
We filed a lawsuit and won an injunction in Chicago granting “complete relief” to our clients and severely limiting federal agents from using force to suppress peaceful First Amendment activity.
October 6, 2025
Protecting SNAP beneficiaries from government overreach
We filed a complaint in federal court challenging a demand from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for states to turn over the personal data of tens of millions Americans.
July 17, 2025
Stopping the unconstitutional dismantling of the federal government
Protect Democracy is suing President Trump for his unconstitutional reduction in force or RIF
April 28, 2025
Restoring transparency to OMB apportionment decisions
Protect Democracy is suing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Director Russell Vought for violating a law that requires public disclosure of “apportionments.”
April 14, 2025