@democracydefendersfund.org
Democracy Defenders Fund is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to stopping democratic backsliding and restoring American democracy. democracydefendersfund.org
FCC commissioners are barred from accepting gifts from the companies they regulate. Yet Carr and Trusty accepted tickets worth more than $12,000 to a Kennedy Center gala from Paramount while its merger was before the FCC. This requires an investigation.
FCC Commissioners Must Be Investigated for Accepting Gifts from Paramount
FCC Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty may have violated ethics rules by potentially accepting thousands of dollars i
democracydefendersfund.org
BREAKING: 56 former judges urge SCOTUS to reject Trump’s emergency request to reshape mail voting less than 100 days before midterms. The order—already blocked 2x—risks disrupting elections and blocking eligible voters from the ballot box. We are proud to support w/@campaignlegal.org & Platkin LLP.
56 Former Judges Urge Supreme Court to Block Trump Order That Could Disenfranchise Mail-in Voters
56 former state and federal judges filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to reject the administration’s attempt
democracydefendersfund.org
The Roberts Court is quietly reshaping American democracy–dismantling voting rights, empowering wealthy donors, and shrinking the legal ground to fight on. DDF’s Jacob Kovacs-Goodman explains, "We can have another 250 years, if we can keep it."
Term in Review: America at 250 and the Roberts Court’s Countermajoritarian Project
For more than two decades, Chief Justice John Roberts has presided over a Court that has dismantled democratic safeguard
democracydefendersfund.org
FCC commissioners are supposed to regulate companies like Paramount—not accept luxury gifts from them while the company seeks FCC approval. We filed ethics complaints urging an investigation and calling for Chairman Carr's recusal from Paramount merger proceedings.
FCC Commissioners Face Ethics Complaints for Taking Luxury Gifts From Paramount
Citing a ProPublica report on Paramount providing luxury Kennedy Center gala tickets to FCC officials, the complaints no
propublica.org
AFGE & fed employees are suing the EEOC after it suspended federal class complaints—a key tool for federal employees to challenge systemic discrimination. Suspending these cases means fewer protections for workers & less accountability for agencies.
AFGE and Federal Employees Sue EEOC to Reverse Freeze of Federal-Sector Class Claims | Democracy Defenders Fund
AFGE and two federal employees filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission challenging its
democracydefendersfund.org
The Trump admin’s case against Davey Hearn should have never been brought. Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology.
The Trump Administration Owes Davey Hearn an Apology | Democracy Defenders Fund
Statement from Davey Hearn’s co-counsel regarding today’s decision by the U.S. government to dismiss all charges against
democracydefendersfund.org
“The EEOC’s decision to suspend federal-sector class complaints undermines the fundamental right of employees to seek justice.” DDF's Taryn Wilgus Null on why we & co-counsel are fighting back with @AFGE against the EEOC's unlawful freeze on federal-sector class actions.
Federal Workers Have No Recourse for Sexual Harassment at Work, Lawsuit Says
The Trump administration’s anti-discrimination agency has stopped hearing class-action discrimination cases from federal
notus.org
The EEOC is violating the law & abandoning its mission to fight and remedy workplace discrimination. Suspending federal class complaints denies the rights of people like Deanna Chelette, who bravely filed on behalf of female correctional officers experiencing severe sexual harassment.
Lawsuit claims US civil rights agency has halted all federal-sector class complaints
A labor union and two female prison employees filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing a U.S. civil rights agency of unlawfully
apnews.com
John Oliver broke down the risks of Trump’s crypto ventures. We have been tracking these conflicts from the start. As DDF's Virginia Canter said, Trump’s crypto businesses are “a perfect vehicle to funnel money to [Trump] and his family to enrich them.”
John Oliver Returns to Expose Trump Family’s Shady Crypto Dealings: ‘We Badly Need Proper Guardrails’
John Oliver returned to “Last Week Tonight” after his summer hiatus and went deep on the Trump family’s sketchy crypto v
variety.com
Federal workers are suing the EEOC over an undisclosed freeze blocking discrimination claims The EEOC’s job is to protect workers from discrimination—not prevent them from having their cases heard We’re proud to stand with AFGE against this unlawful suspension of workers’ rights
AFGE and Federal Employees Sue EEOC to Reverse Freeze of Federal-Sector Class Claims | Democracy Defenders Fund
AFGE and two federal employees filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission challenging its
democracydefendersfund.org
Federal judges are sounding the alarm. Judge Kathleen Williams’ ruling in Trump’s IRS lawsuit is one example of courts pushing back when legal and ethical lines are crossed. We’ll keep fighting for accountability.
Federal Judges Chastise Trump’s Justice Department for “Unlawful,” “Unethical” and “Unseemly” Conduct
ProPublica reviewed hundreds of cases in which judges criticized the actions of federal prosecutors. In many, judges exp
propublica.org
HAPPENING NOW: The Senate is examining Trump’s crypto conflicts of interest. www.youtube.com/live/GkyoL7e...
Spotlight Forum: Trump's Crypto Corruption
YouTube video by SenatorBlumenthal
youtube.com
BREAKING: Paramount freezes Warner Bros. merger while lawsuit continues. We are proud to stand with the #BlocktheMerger coalition & everyone in the spotlight and behind the scenes who refused to treat the merger as inevitable. Full statement 👉 www.democracydefendersfund.org/news/paramou...
The New York Attorney Grievance Committee declined to investigate Acting AG Todd Blanche—and suggested DOJ review its own boss instead. Today, we and @ldadorg.bsky.social called for the Committee to reconsider. Independent ethics oversight isn't optional.
DDF and LDAD Appeal the New York Attorney Grievance Committee’s Refusal to Open Investigation into Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche | Democracy Defenders Fund
Democracy Defenders Fund and Lawyers Defending American Democracy filed a formal request for reconsideration with the Ne
democracydefendersfund.org
Trump's DOJ is withdrawing its subpoenas of @nytimes.com reporters—a victory for press freedom and a defeat for efforts to bully journalists. We'll keep fighting for accountability over the $400M Qatari jet and the reported diversion of nearly $1B in taxpayer funds to retrofit it.
U.S. Withdraws Subpoenas Issued to New York Times Journalists
A federal judge raised questions about the government’s handling of the subpoenas, which The Times called an attempt to intimidate the free press.
nytimes.com
"This really looks like a caricature of ethics reform." Our Senior Ethics Counsel Chris Swartz explains why the latest ethics provision in the CLARITY Act falls short: it leaves the president's existing crypto interests untouched while claiming to address conflicts of interest.
Senate Democrats reject Trump-approved ethics provision in landmark crypto bill
Senate Democrats signaled they would not support a revised version of Republicans’ landmark cryptocurrency regulation bi
spectrumnews1.com
The Trump admin has withdrawn its unconstitutional subpoena seeking membership lists of Jewish campus groups at Penn. We were proud to serve on the legal team challenging this demand & defending the constitutional rights to religious freedom, association, & privacy. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/u...
Trump Administration Drops Subpoena Demanding List of Jews From Penn
For more than a year, the Trump administration pressed the university for records about antisemitism complaints and a list of campus groups involved with Judaism.
nytimes.com
A former DOJ official who pushed false claims about the 2020 election is fighting to keep his law license. Now Trump's DOJ is asking the courts to block the independent disciplinary process. More than 70 legal ethics experts say that's not how our legal system works.
More Than 70 Legal Ethics Experts Warn DOJ Is Trying to Put Its Lawyers Above the Law | Democracy Defenders Fund
More than 70 legal ethics scholars and experts filed an amicus brief urging the District Court of D.C. to reject the DOJ
democracydefendersfund.org
A DOJ led by Todd Blanche should concern everyone. Blanche has shown time and again his loyalty is to Donald Trump, not the American people. Join Not Above the Law & Legal AF LIVE Thursday @ 8 p.m. ET to unpack Blanche's record and why the Senate must reject his nomination.
Block Blanche: A Livestream on Why Todd Blanche Is Unfit to Be Attorney General · Not Above the Law
Todd Blanche spent years as Donald Trump's personal defense attorney. Now, as acting Attorney General, he's turned the D
mobilize.us
Mary Comans just won a landmark victory against the Trump administration. A federal judge held that her termination violated the Constitution & rejected the administration’s attempt to bypass civil service protections. Proud to have represented Mary in this fight.
Mary Comans Wins Landmark Verdict Against Trump Administration for Unlawful Firing | Democracy Defenders Fund
Former FEMA Chief Financial Officer Mary Comans secured a significant victory in her lawsuit challenging her unlawful te
democracydefendersfund.org
Trump spent $14M of taxpayer money on a no-bid reflecting pool makeover that nobody asked for. When it started peeling almost immediately, his administration blamed "vandals." Now experts are confirming the damage likely points to application flaws. The facts aren't matching the spin.
Reflecting Pool peeling probably caused by application flaws, experts say
President Donald Trump has blamed vandals, but a Washington Post analysis finds that the peeling tracks closely with sta
washingtonpost.com
The president uses Truth Social—a Trump Media and Technology Group company—as the WH press room. Now he's selling Wall Street early access to his posts. Yet another way to profit off the presidency. DDF's Virginia Canter: "This is a staggering ethics violation." www.cnbc.com/2026/07/16/t...
As Todd Blanche faces the Senate today, one thing is clear: he was nominated for his loyalty to Donald Trump. From serving as Trump's personal lawyer to his conduct at the DOJ, Blanche has repeatedly put Trump's interests first. The Senate should reject his nomination.
Trump administration live updates: A.G. nominee Todd Blanche faces scrutiny at high-stakes Senate hearing
Get live updates and the latest news on the Trump administration as the U.S. strikes Iran, Todd Blanche testifies on his
nbcnews.com
Jeffrey Epstein's survivors are urging the Senate to reject Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General. We've called for an independent Epstein files review and an ethics investigation because his record raises serious questions about whether he can put the DOJ's duty above Trump's interests.
Epstein survivors urge Senate to block Trump’s AG pick over botched release of files
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche set for confirmation hearing Wednesday but campaigners abused by Jeffrey Epstein sa
the-independent.com
Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing should make one thing clear: he is unfit to lead the Justice Department. From his role as Trump’s personal lawyer to his handling of the Epstein files, Blanche has repeatedly shown he is allegiance is to Donald Trump, not the American people.
The Todd Blanche hearings will test senators’ commitment to the rule of law | Claire Finkelstein
Trump’s former personal attorney has a vast slate of conflicts of interest. Will lawmakers do their job in his confirmat
theguardian.com
Confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney General means signing off on a DOJ that answers to one man. Blanche has never stopped acting like Trump's personal lawyer. That's why we, @ldadorg.bsky.social & 101 bipartisan former judges are calling for an ethics investigation.
Todd Blanche Has Already Flunked His Confirmation Hearing
The president’s revenge machine may soon kick into overdrive.
slate.com
Kash Patel's spending habits are facing new scrutiny—from both parties. House & Senate Judiciary Committee Dems have repeatedly raised concerns, and now GOP Senator Chuck Grassley is requesting reimbursement records for the FBI director's personal travel on a government aircraft.
Dem lawmakers want Kash Patel to answer for his spending — but this time they’re not alone
A powerful Republican who has publicly defended the FBI director is now demanding answers on his BMW purchases and his use of the bureau jet.
ms.now
The Constitution protects birthright citizenship. The Supreme Court rejected Trump's effort to end it. A request for rehearing doesn't change the Constitution—or the rights it guarantees. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5960418-donald-trump-supreme-court-birthright-citizenship/
GROUPS REPRESENTING PLAINTIFFS RESPOND TO SUPREME COURT BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP RULING
In a major victory, the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to restrict
democracydefendersfund.org
"If Davey Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the reflecting pool, every American is at risk – and every American should be alarmed about this prosecution." Our full statement with WLG https://www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/07.09.26-pr
STATEMENT FROM COUNSEL ON DAVEY HEARN ARRAIGNMENT
Following today’s arraignment of Davey Hearn, counsel for the Olympian, including Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), co-founder and
democracydefendersfund.org
1,200 former DOJ employees have just sent a letter urging Senators not to confirm Todd Blanche as AG: "Many will rightly underscore the corruption and abuses that have defined the Justice Department under Todd Blanche’s leadership... we urge you to reject Todd Blanche’s nomination."
