Democracy Defenders Fund is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to stopping democratic backsliding and restoring American democracy.

Joined February 2025
The DOJ Inspector General is declining to investigate the misconduct that led to the wrongful arrest and prosecution of Olympian Davey Hearn at the Reflecting Pool. @JoshuaGKolb explains why the refusal to act is another affront to justice.
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MAJOR WIN: A fed court ruled that OPM violated the law by giving Musk/DOGE access to sensitive personal data belonging to millions of current, former, & prospective federal employees. Proud to have brought this case on behalf of @AFGENational & AALJ democracydefendersfund.org/n…
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Young people aren't apathetic. 89% say they're willing to vote. Getting to the polls can be difficult for students, and closing campus polling locations makes it harder. Our team explains why on-campus voting sites can improve participation. democracydefendersfund.org/r…
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BREAKING: The DOJ wants more than 20,000 LA County ballots set aside on claims it hasn't proven. Our legal director Tianna Mays: "This lawsuit is about giving Trump another excuse to reject an election he loses." We've moved to join the case w/ partners. democracydefendersfund.org/n…
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No one is above the law, including the White House Press Secretary: We asked California's State Bar and Attorney General to investigate whether Katie Zacharia practiced law without a license. We'll keep pushing for accountability. democracydefendersfund.org/n…
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Claims of vandalism at the Reflecting Pool don't hold water. A new analysis reveals 85 points of failure in the rushed installation, including improper mixing, insufficient drying time, and "human oversight"—not vandalism and not Davey Hearn. washingtonpost.com/investiga…
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We filed a complaint against Trump admin officials over the pre-dawn raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home. As our bipartisan ethics experts argue, the raid appears designed to influence voters & violates longstanding DOJ policy against election-season actions. democracydefendersfund.org/n…
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A fed court cleared former FEMA CFO Mary Comans, finding that Kristi Noem & Elon Musk knowingly spread “objectively and demonstrably false” claims about her. Today’s ruling vindicates Mary & exposes their smear campaign against a career public servant. democracydefendersfund.org/n…
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We & partners are suing ICE. ICE is releasing people from detention but keeping their IDs, work permits, & other essential documents. Without these documents, people can’t work, drive, or prove their status—threatening their constitutional rights. democracydefendersfund.org/n…
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For many young people, college is where they’re voting for the first time. If getting to the polls is difficult, unfamiliar, or time-consuming, the barrier isn’t a lack of civic interest—it’s access. Our new brief digs in. democracydefendersfund.org/r…
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Davey Hearn was subjected to a wrongful arrest, 5hr detention, and felony indictment after the admin’s botched job. We’re demanding investigations into DOJ + DOI’s gross incompetence & suppression of evidence. This clear abuse of power demands answers. democracydefendersfund.org/n…
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For decades, an organized effort has reshaped the federal judiciary around a particular vision of economic power. The result: weaker worker protections, less competition, & less tools to hold corporations accountable. From @WeDemandJustice & @Groundwork demandjustice.org/oligarchy/
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Young people aren’t “future voters.” They’re eligible voters now. Their participation is essential—and making sure they can exercise their right to vote means paying attention to the barriers that can stand between young people and the ballot. democracydefendersfund.org/r…
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32 days til Election Day. Voting by mail, early, or on Election Day? Pick what works for you, then invite family, friends, neighbors or co-workers to join you. #LetsGetVoteReady #WeAreAmericaAndWeVote andwevote.org/p/ddf
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BREAKING: Vandalism charges against Davey Hearn are dismissed with prejudice, meaning DOJ cannot bring the case against him again. The rule of law prevailed & the Trump admin's attempt to make an innocent American pay for its poor decisions failed. democracydefendersfund.org/n…
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