The Rule of Law

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The Rule of Law

The Constitution guarantees the American people a system of government where each branch of government respects the powers and authority of the others and all Americans are free to express their political beliefs. We must preserve these principles.

Blindfolded Lady Justice holds scales over U.S. historical documents, including the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, symbolizing law and fairness.

CLC is actively engaged in the fight to defend the rule of law and political freedoms and safeguard constitutional checks and balances.

In our country, no one is above the law. The rule of law isn’t just a legal principle, it’s a safeguard. It ensures all people — including our most powerful public officials — are subject to the same laws and those laws are equally enforced. The rule of law also protects the rights that define us as Americans, from the freedom to speak out and express political dissent to the right to choose our own leaders.

CLC is committed to protecting the political freedoms of all Americans, defending the rule of law and preserving the checks and balances that prevent any one branch of government — or any one individual — from becoming too powerful. To that end, CLC is litigating against unlawful overreach and threats to the freedoms of all Americans, challenging dangerous legislation, and promoting solutions that will strengthen our democracy.

The Latest on The Rule of Law

The Latest

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Detroit, Michigan on Tuesday, November 8, 2023

Photo by Matthew Hatcher/SOPA/ZUMA Press Wire

The Trump Administration’s Attempts to Get Sensitive Voter Data Threaten the Rule of Law

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has a responsibility to protect Americans’ freedom to vote, but recent actions by the DOJ — taken at the behest of President Donald Trump and other members of his administration — are now threatening that very freedom.

By

Madeleine Greenberg

February 26, 2026

Maurene Comey walking outside while talking on a phone

Photo by Ted Shaffrey/AP Photo

Maurene Comey's Unlawful Dismissal Is a Threat to the First Amendment

The dismissal of federal prosecutor Maurene Comey, seemingly because of her perceived political affiliation and her father’s, is a violation of her First Amendment rights.

By

Maha Quadri

January 16, 2026

Why Birthright Citizenship Is an Essential Part of Our Democracy

A Stress Test for the Rule of Law: What the Election Subversion Pardons Really Mean

CLC Sues to Block Trump Administration’s Illegal Election Overreach

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Democracy Decoded, S5E5: How Democracy Is Impacted by the Expansion of Presidential Power

Recent Rule of Law Cases and Actions

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Abuse of the Presidential Pardon Power

Presidential pardon power is meant to correct injustice, not reward wealthy donors or political loyalists. Campaign Legal Center is working to protect equal justice under law by exposing abuses of the pardon power and advocating reforms that promote transparency, accountability and fair standards in the clemency process.

Updated March 10, 2026

Status Active

Defending Civic Engagement Groups Against Restrictions on Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies (League of Women Voters of the United States et al. v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services et al.)

Campaign Legal Center represents the League of Women Voters, League of Women Voters of Colorado, League of Women Voters of New Jersey, League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area, and League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County in challenging a new federal policy that prevents civic engagement groups from providing voter registration services to new citizens after administrative naturalization ceremonies.

Updated February 2, 2026

Status Active

Challenging the Consolidation and Distribution of Federal Citizenship Data for Voter Purges (League of Women Voters v. US Dept. of Homeland Sec.)

The League of Women Voters is challenging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s consolidation and distribution of flawed federal citizenship data to states and other federal agencies under the Privacy Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the U.S. Constitution. Campaign Legal Center submitted an amicus brief urging the court to block this program.

Updated December 11, 2025

Status Active