COURT ACTIONS & FILINGS
No one is above the law. Democracy Defenders Fund takes on government overreach, abuses of power, corruption, and constitutional violations in the courts. We fight for the transparency and justice the American people deserve.
Explore our active lawsuits and formal complaints to see what we’re fighting for and why.
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Birthright Citizenship
For over 150 years, that answer has been clear: If you’re born in the United States, you are a U.S. citizen. On his first day in office in 2025, President Trump tried to rewrite the 14th amendment and deny citizenship to certain children born in America. We’re proud to be among the first lawsuits filed challenging this unconstitutional overreach and defending the 250,000+ babies born in the U.S. each year.
Tom Homan’s Alleged Pay-to-Play Bribery Scheme
DDF has brought FOIA suits to obtain documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) related to an alleged bribery scheme involving Tom Homan, the White House Border Czar.
Democracy Defenders Fund Urges CFTC to Investigate Polymarket Violations of Settlement Agreement to Prevent Fraud and Insider Trading
Democracy Defenders Fund is calling on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to begin a formal investigation into whether Polymarket.com has violated its obligations under an existing settlement agreement with the agency and whether its conduct violates the Commodity Exchange Act.
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Elev8 v. AmeriCorps
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and community organizations across the nation sue to block the administration's attempt to dismantle AmeriCorps without congressional authorization.
Fulton County Grand Jury Subpoena
Following the FBI’s seizure of 2020 election ballots in Fulton County, Georgia, the FBI subpoenaed the names and contact information of 2020 Fulton County election workers. Democracy Defenders Fund filed a motion to quash the subpoena in an effort to protect the rights of election officials, workers, and voters.
Widakuswara v. Lake
Journalists, federal workers, and their unions sued the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to challenge the unlawful shuttering of the agency and to stop the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful effort to silence independent journalism and strip workers of their jobs in violation of federal law and the First Amendment.
Democracy Defenders Fund v. FBI
DDF sued the FBI after the agency refused to release records about FBI Director Kash Patel’s trip to the Winter Olympics in Italy. The February 2026 trip brought about public scrutiny as Patel stepped away from the U.S. while major national security events were unfolding. His use of government aircraft for a lavish personal trip suggested the use of taxpayer resources.
Ethics Complaint Against Pamela Jo Bondi
This complaint filed with The Florida Bar documents repeated ethical violations, political weaponization of the Department of Justice, and other conduct by former Attorney General Bondi that warrants disciplinary investigation.
CFTC Must Ban Prediction Markets on Government Actions
The comment identifies dangers including insider trading risks, market manipulation, and national security threats.
JGG v. Trump – Amicus Brief
A bipartisan group of 174 former federal, state and international judges urge the D.C. Circuit to allow criminal contempt proceedings to continue after the Trump administration defied the district court’s order not to pause deportation removals.
Tom Homan’s Alleged Pay-to-Play Bribery Scheme
DDF has brought FOIA suits to obtain documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) related to an alleged bribery scheme involving Tom Homan, the White House Border Czar.
Democracy Defenders Fund v. DOJ
Democracy Defenders Fund sued the Department of Justice for refusing to comply with public records laws and release documents from its investigations of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell—specifically documents that mention President Trump and his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Determining the Legal Basis for Iran Strikes
Within days of the Trump administration launching illegal strikes on Iran—which has resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers—DDF filed an expedited request to the DOJ seeking any legal opinions justifying the use of military force. The public has a right to know what legal authority (if any) the president relied upon.
Documents Related to DHS Advertising Procurement
DDF filed a Freedom of Information Act request to ensure this potential corruption is not swept under the rug. The FOIA demands the immediate release of all contracts, invoices, ethics waivers, and internal communications related to the 2025 contracts, including a widely criticized advertisement featuring then-Secretary Noem riding a horse at Mount Rushmore.
SEC Should Investigate ALT5 Sigma
DDF and Platkin LLP sent a letter to the SEC urging an investigation of ALT5 Sigma Corporation for potential violations of securities laws. The letter outlines compliance failures, governance breakdowns, and financial ties between ALTS and the Trump family crypto venture, World Liberty Financial.