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
What democracy means
Democracy is a system of government where the people freely select their leaders and those leaders are constrained while in office.
March 23, 2026
Why the warrant requirement is crucial for American democracy
The safeguards that warrants provide everyone in the United States are an important way we limit the enormous investigatory power that we have given the federal government.
March 4, 2026
The DOJ investigation of Minnesota officials, explained
Even as the DOJ investigates officials in Minnesota, there is nothing in the public record to indicate that any of them have violated this law.
January 23, 2026
The No Political Enemies (NOPE) Act, explained
The NOPE Act will strongly disincentivize political targeting by creating meaningful accountability for abuses of power.
January 17, 2026
Why federal officers don’t have absolute immunity
Federal agents don't have absolute immunity, and can face state criminal penalties, including prison time, for illegal conduct on the job.
January 14, 2026
The Universal Constitutional Remedies Act, explained
The Universal Constitutional Remedies Act is a state law that allows individuals to sue any official — federal, state, or local — who violates the Constitution in court.
January 6, 2026
Understanding the National Guard
Today’s National Guard plays dual roles as both a continuation of the earlier state militias and the primary combat reserve of the U.S. Army and Air Force.
November 26, 2025
The Insurrection Act, explained
The Insurrection Act does not suspend the Constitution, impose martial law, or exempt the military from following all applicable state and federal laws.
November 26, 2025
The Trump administration’s conflict with the courts, explained
Understanding the threats to our judiciary, its historic role in supporting our Constitution, and what the courts can do in response to threats.
October 2, 2025
How funding the federal government works
Government funding is not working the way it's supposed to because of illegal impoundments and pocket rescissions.
October 1, 2025