Trump created a $1.776 billion fund — using taxpayer dollars — by settling a lawsuit he filed against an agency he controls. Our latest issue brief examines this unprecedented abuse of power and potential violations of the Constitution. 🧵

Our federal lawsuit is taking direct aim at Trump's "Gold Card" visa program, demanding the records his admin doesn't want you to see. The @uaw.org has joined the fight. Selling priority access to visas Congress reserved for skilled workers is a pay-to-play scheme & we are fighting back.

Trump’s so-called anti-weaponization fund is a weaponization of executive power. Forget morality. "If this settlement is allowed to stand, the only limit to Trump’s grift and power will be his own imagination," — @normeisen.bsky.social https://www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/05.18.26-pr

TODAY IS THE DAY. Your vision for the future of American democracy deserves to be heard. The Future of Democracy Prize closes at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight — essays, art, multimedia, all welcome. Don't let today pass you by. democracydefendersfund.org/future-prize

Insider trading is illegal. Prediction markets shouldn't be the exception. Anonymous traders have made millions on things like military strikes, ceasefires, & foreign captures. The US OGE can & should ban fed employees from betting on govt actions. www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/05.14.26...

Trump sued the IRS—an agency he controls—for $10B. DOJ—another agency Trump controls—is considering a settlement. The terms? Our tax dollars and no more audits of Trump, his family, or his businesses. This should raise all sorts of alarms.

BREAKING: More than 5,000 filmmakers, actors, writers & crew members have signed the open letter opposing the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. People from every walk of life are saying the same thing: #BlockTheMerger. Gabe Lezra explains why. https://blockthemerger.com/#take-action

You've still got time! 4 days left to submit your essay, art, or video to The Future of Democracy Prize. Share your vision for U.S. democracy and you could win $1,000 and publication in a national anthology. Learn more ➡ democracydefendersfund.org/future-prize

Virginia voters approved new maps less than a month ago. Today, the state Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision overturned the voter-approved redistricting plan on a technicality. Meanwhile, Republican gerrymanders in Texas, North Carolina, and elsewhere move forward without any voter input at all.

Today, the SPLC appeared in federal court for an arraignment. For 55 years, the SPLC has fought to dismantle hate and build a future rooted in justice, work that continues today. Read more: https://bit.ly/3PqgVi0

We know Howard Lutnick's ties to Epstein go far deeper than he first claimed in 2025. This alone is reason enough he shouldn't be a gov official, but he also brings serious financial conflicts of interest. We've said it before, we'll say it again: Lutnick must resign. He cannot be trusted.

BREAKING: We and partners filed suit to strike down Gov DeSantis' unlawful congressional map. More than 60% of Florida voters banned exactly this when they passed the Fair Districts Amendments in 2010.

This morning, a federal judge ordered a stop. Trump's administration must get court approval before cutting down more than 10 trees — with "serious consequences" for any effort to circumvent the court. Public land belongs to the people, NOT the president.

Yesterday — alongside Democracy Forward and Lowell & Associates — we filed an emergency motion to stop the illegal reconstruction of East Potomac Golf Course, a beloved public space being hijacked by Trump for private use.

Me knowing I still have time to submit to The Future of Democracy Prize.

Good news! We’re giving you two more weeks to empty your drafts and share your vision for U.S. democracy. You could win $1,000 honorarium and publication in a national anthology. FINAL DEADLINE: MAY 15. www.democracydefendersfund.org/future-prize

BREAKING: Bipartisan ethics lawyers urge the CFTC to ban prediction markets tied to government actions. These kinds of bets pose significant risks, including national security threats and insider trading. The CFTC must act.

Today, SCOTUS gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act—erasing one of the most powerful tools protecting Black and brown voters from discriminatory maps and election practices. “A dark day for our country” — @normeisen.bsky.social “Devastating and profoundly ahistorical” — Susan Corke

BREAKING: We're demanding answers from the DOD about targeting decisions made during the Iran War—and asking the Inspector General to investigate whether those decisions violated DOD policy. The law is clear: threats against civilian populations are prohibited. We're not letting this go unanswered.

The DOJ’s own watchdog launched an audit into failed handling the Epstein files, including redactions and post-release concerns (like revealing names of survivors who were supposed to be protected). Pressure is working.

7 days left to submit to The Future of Democracy Prize! Share your vision about where democracy goes from here—and you could win $1,000 and publication in a national anthology. Written and artistic ideas welcome. Deadline to submit: April 30! Learn more @ democracydefendersfund.org/future-prize

Trump’s DOJ indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center—a legendary civil rights organization—for paying informants to expose hate groups and prevent violence. The DOJ and FBI used to work with SPLC on countering extremism. Now they’re prosecuting them for it.

Acting AG Todd Blanche must recuse himself from the Epstein investigation immediately. It has been over 150 days since the Epstein Files Transparency Act became law. And DOJ is still withholding millions of pages.

55 years in the fight against hate. Still pushing forward. We’re ready for what comes next. Not alone in this work. Together, we will confront injustice. www.splcenter.org/beacon-hope-...

This administration is trying to control who votes, how they vote, and whether their vote is counted. Our Deputy Director of Litigation Pooja Chaudhuri joined @deanobeidallah.bsky.social to talk about what's at stake and how DDF is fighting back in court.

In Oct 2025, EAC Commissioner McCormick claimed Democrats "need the votes" of "illegal citizens." In December, DDF filed a Hatch Act complaint — and now, @democracydocket.com reports McCormick's conduct is being investigated. Our Senior Policy Counsel Jonathan Barry-Blocker weighed in:

BREAKING: We filed a FOIA demand on $220M in sole-source DHS advertising contracts awarded under former Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem's termination does not end the public's right to know—it makes transparency more urgent.

The assault on democracy is coming from every direction — voter data grabs, mail ballot control, birthright citizenship. Watch our Deputy Director of Litigation Pooja Chaudhuri break down the full assault — and how DDF is fighting back.

An exciting day: I’m testifying today in a Senate hearing about the possible merger between Paramount & Warner Bros. This kind of power consolidation is a danger to freedom of speech and media independence so it must be fully vetted. Hope you’ll tune in and watch: www.youtube.com/live/xETe83T...

A SCOTUS ruling on mail ballot grace periods could drop weeks before 2026 primaries, leaving millions at risk with almost no time to respond. This is part of a coordinated assault on mail-in voting. And why we are already in court fighting Trump's EO doing the same thing.

“You can’t celebrate dismantling a government agency one day and hide the receipts the next.” That’s our Deputy Legal Director Andrew Warren — quoted on Musk’s 14-failed-subpoena disappearing act. We’re representing the USAID plaintiffs in court, and accountability is coming.

BREAKING: Alongside Free Information Group and Colombo Hurd, we've sued four federal agencies for hiding records on Trump's Gold Card visa program — a pay-to-play scheme that sells U.S. residency to wealthy foreign nationals for $1 million, pushing aside qualified applicants.

TODAY at 2:30 PM ET, we are co-hosting "Defending the Vote" with @lulacorg.bsky.social, @commoncause.org, @latinovictoryus.bsky.social, and more. Join us for a live fireside chat with Secretaries of State Aguilar and Fontes on the fight to keep elections free and fair. Register here:

BREAKING: Today, we joined a coalition of 1,000+ actors, directors & film professionals to oppose the WBD-Paramount merger — and to call on state AGs in CA, NY & beyond to act. Concentrated media power hurts consumers, shrinks independent voices & threatens the stories we tell.

The future of American democracy is still being written and we're inviting the next generation to help write it. Share your idea for a chance to win The Future of Democracy Prize. Open to ages 18–30. Deadline: April 30. democracydefendersfund.org/future-prize

BREAKING: We have filed a formal letter to the CFTC demanding an investigation into anonymous traders who netted millions on suspiciously timed bets tied to U.S. military actions—Iran ceasefire, Venezuela invasion & more.

Democracy is not only shaped in courtrooms and legislatures — it is shaped through culture, storytelling, and civic imagination. The Future of Democracy Prize is accepting submissions through April 30. Learn more @ http://democracydefendersfund.org/future-prize

BREAKING: DDF and Platkin LLP have sent a letter to SEC Chair Paul Atkins calling for an investigation into ALT5 Sigma Corporation. The letter details potential securities violations, governance failures, and troubling financial ties to a Trump family-backed crypto venture.

A sheriff seized over 500K election ballots in CA. The state's highest court ordered him to stand down. "This ballot seizure has no place in our democracy. Elections are decided by voters — not by whoever can seize control of the process," our Executive Chair Norm Eisen's full statement 👇

A majority of Americans believe ICE is making us less safe. @replamonica.bsky.social was doing her job, overseeing ICE. The Trump admin prosecuted her. A bipartisan group of former lawmakers agree the prosecution is wrong.

BREAKING: Alongside a bipartisan coalition of 129 former federal and state judges and @ldadorg.bsky.social, we are calling on Acting AG Blanche to withdraw a proposed DOJ rule that would shield department attorneys from independent ethics oversight.

As America turns 250, join us in imagining how democracy can renew, evolve, and grow stronger in the years ahead. The Future of Democracy Prize is accepting submissions through April 30. Learn more @ https://www.democracydefendersfund.org/future-prize

We obtained U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's financial disclosure report from the Office of Government Ethics. It still hasn't been certified, more than seven months after he filed it. That's a red flag. Ethics reports are typically certified within 60 days.

The Constitution is clear: Only the states and Congress have the power to regulate elections, not the president. And only Congress has the power to regulate the U.S. mail. Second Unlawful Anti-Voter Executive Order Challenged by Voting Rights Coalition

Young voices shape the future. We’re inviting Americans 18–30 to share bold ideas for strengthening democracy in essays, art, video, and more. Finalists receive $1,000 + national recognition. Learn more @ http://democracydefendersfund.org/future-prize

BREAKING: Along with @lawyerscomm.bsky.social we sued DHS and ICE for refusing to disclose how they're using facial recognition apps to surveil the public. The agencies ignored legal deadlines and produced zero records.

BREAKING: We filed 2 lawsuits against DOJ & DHS for failure to respond to FOIA requests about investigations into Tom Homan’s alleged $50K bribe & pay-to-play contracting scheme. The public has a right to know if gov't officials are abusing taxpayer funds.

Turning extreme ideas into policy doesn't make them legal. Powerful words from DDF's Taryn Wilgus Null. This applies to the attack on birthright citizenship in Barbara v. Trump and every other lawless move the White House makes.

We have filed suit on behalf of Adrián Rengel, a Venezuelan immigrant who was detained without due process, lied to about where he was being sent, and deported to El Salvador's CECOT prison in defiance of a federal court order. www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/03.24.26...

BREAKING: The DOJ is demanding Oklahoma hand over private voter data — and we're intervening to stop it. The DOJ wants SSNs, DOBs, addresses & more with no legal basis. Alongside partners, we're defending every Oklahoma voter's right to participate without fear.