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Non-profit

Rule of Law Defense Fund

Tax ID:

46-5130903
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(4)

Budget (2017):

Revenue: $907,000
Expenses: $937,024
Assets: $454,551
Founded:

2014
Location:

Washington, D.C
Chair:

Steve Marshall

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The Rule of Law Defense Fund (RLDF) is a right-of-center advocacy organization affiliated with the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA). The organization promotes right-of-center legal policy and provides a forum for collaboration between Republican state attorneys general. 1

In January 2021, RLDF came under fire for funding a robocall campaign which encouraged individuals to participate in a January 6, 2021, rally in protest of the certification of the 2020 presidential election, after which rioters breached the U.S. Capitol building. While RLDF leaders denied planning and organizing the rally, the controversy had negative ramifications for RAGA and RLDF, with several major donors including Comcast and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce threatening to pull their support. 2

RLDF has received funding from a number of right-of-center organizations, including the Judicial Crisis Network (JCN), Freedom Partners, and the Rule of Law Project. 3 4 5

History and Activity

The Rule of Law Defense Fund (RLDF) was founded in 2014 to provide a forum for right-of-center state attorneys general and their staff to engage on policy issues. RLDF also assists Republican attorneys general in communicating with federal regulators regarding state interests. 6

RLDF is affiliated with the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), serving as the organization’s advocacy arm. RAGA provides a forum for collaboration and public education between state attorneys general, while RLDF works to promote right-of-center legal policy. 7 RLDF also assists Republican candidates for top state law enforcement positions. 8

The organization lists three key issue areas: federalism, the rule of law, and freedom. RLDF frequently hosts forums with public officials on topics such as religious liberty, energy policy, and electoral policy. 9 10 11 In October 2020, RLDF joined a number of conservative organizations in signing a letter urging the U.S. Senate to confirm Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. 12

RLDF also frequently collaborates with prominent right-of-center public officials. In 2020 alone, the organization hosted events with then-Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R), and then-Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette. 13 14 15

Alleged Capitol Riot Involvement

In January 2021, Rule of Law Defense Fund came under fire for its alleged role in the January 6 protests and subsequent riot at the United States Capitol building. In the days before the protests, RLDF funded robocalls encouraging people to participate in the march and call on Congress to refuse to certify the results of the 2020 presidential elections. The calls did not advocate for violence and only suggested peaceful participation in the public protest. Despite this, left-of-center critics claimed that the calls connected RLDF to the riot which occurred following the demonstration. 16

RLDF chairman and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) claimed to have no knowledge of the calls and alleged that staff had organized the campaign without his knowledge. Several other state attorneys general and RAGA also denied any knowledge of the calls, though RLDF was listed as a participating organization on the website promoting the rally that preceded the riots. 17

Immediately after the riot, Attorney General Marshall began an internal review of RLDF activities leading up to the protests. 18 Days later, former RAGA executive director Adam Piper resigned from the organization, though it is unclear whether anyone at the RLDF was formally sanctioned. 19 Though Piper had initially blamed the robocall on unauthorized staff actions, some within RLDF claimed that Piper himself had wanted to run an advertising campaign in support of the rally and claimed that he met with Trump administration officials on January 5 to plan the protest. 20

Former RLDF executive director Pete Bisbee approved the robocall expenditure, but following Piper’s resignation, he was promoted to become executive director of RAGA. Bisbee’s promotion caused other high-level RAGA officials, including its finance director, to resign due to his association with the January 6 events. 21

The controversy has had ramifications for RAGA, with major donors including Microsoft, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, JPMorgan, and Comcast threatening to pull support for RAGA following the riots. The Cherokee Nation Businesses, which donated $150,000 to RAGA in 2020, requested an immediate refund of its donation. 22

Briefing Room Controversy

In February 2018, left-of-center critics attacked RAGA and Rule of Law Defense Fund for encouraging public officials to look at policy memos posted on the “Briefing Room,” a file-sharing website, before joining RLDF conference calls. Critics alleged that RLDF had also offered top donors a chance to post to the bulletin board and claimed that the website allowed donors and RLDF staff to privately communicate directly with elected officials who would ordinarily be subject to disclosures under open record laws. 23

RAGA and RLDF denied ever offering donors the opportunity to post on the site, and over 20 state attorneys general denied having records of the bulletin board or communications with RLDF. Others also denied that any of the files posted on the site contained information subject to disclosure laws. 24

In December 2020, the left-wing Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) filed a lawsuit against Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) in an attempt to force him to turn over all documents related to his work with RAGA and RLDF, alleging that they should be public records. Attorney General Yost’s office has refused to turn over the records, stating that they reflect official business that is not a matter of public record. 25

People and Funding

Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Scott Pruitt helped to found Rule of Law Defense Fund during his time as Oklahoma attorney general. 26 During his time leading RLDF, Pruitt led several Republican challenges to Obama administration policies. 27

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) is currently chair of RLDF. 28 Marshall previously worked as a district attorney in Alabama, during which he helped to create the Marshall County Computer Forensics Lab, Major Crimes Unit, and Crystal Meth Task Force. Marshall was also instrumental in the passage of the Brody Act, which holds criminals who kill or injure a pregnant mother accountable for crimes against the unborn child as well. 29

While RLDF is not required to disclose its donors, tax records have revealed that it has received funding from a number of right-of-center organizations. Between 2013 and 2019, RLDF received contributions from the right-of-center Judicial Crisis Network. 30 In 2014, RLDF received a $175,000 grant from Freedom Partners, an organization affiliated with Charles Koch. 31 RLDF has also received funding from the Rule of Law Project and the Edison Electric Institute. 32

References

  1. “Republican Attorneys General Association Announces New Leadership Team for 2021.” Republican Attorneys General Association, December 31, 2020. https://republicanags.com/2020/11/10/republican-attorneys-general-association-announces-new-leadership-team-for-2021/.
  2. Strickler, Laura, and Lisa Cavazuti. “Republican AGs Group Sent Robocalls Urging March to the Capitol.” NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, January 11, 2021. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/republican-ags-group-sent-robocalls-urging-march-capitol-n1253581.
  3. Massoglia, Anna. “Biden Nominee’s Confirmation Fight Fueled by Dueling ‘Dark Money’ Groups.” OpenSecrets News. Center for Responsive Politics, March 9, 2021. https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2021/03/gupta-confirmation-fight-fueled-by-darkmoney
  4. “Rule of Law Defense Fund.” Conservative Transparency. American Bridge 21st Century Foundation. Accessed July 5, 2021. http://conservativetransparency.org/org/rule-of-law-defense-fund/.
  5. Corey, Jamie. “Republican Attorneys General Dark Money Group Organized Protest Preceding Capitol Mob Attack.” Documented, January 11, 2021. https://documented.net/2021/01/republican-attorneys-general-dark-money-group-organized-protest-preceding-capitol-mob-attack/.
  6. “About.” Rule Of Law Defense Fund, March 11, 2020. https://rldf.org/about/.
  7. “Republican Attorneys General Association Announces New Leadership Team for 2021.” Republican Attorneys General Association, December 31, 2020. https://republicanags.com/2020/11/10/republican-attorneys-general-association-announces-new-leadership-team-for-2021/.
  8. Perez, Andrew, and Lee Fang. “GOP Law Enforcement Chiefs Invited Donors to Help Set Policy Via Secret Bulletin Board.” The Intercept. First Look Institute, February 12, 2018. https://theintercept.com/2018/02/12/gop-law-enforcement-chiefs-invited-donors-to-help-set-policy-via-secret-bulletin-board/.
  9. “About.” Rule Of Law Defense Fund, March 11, 2020. https://rldf.org/about/.
  10. “Equal Rights Amendment.” Rule Of Law Defense Fund, May 19, 2020. https://rldf.org/equal-rights-amendment/.
  11. “The Left’s Assault on Election Law.” Rule Of Law Defense Fund, December 17, 2020. https://rldf.org/the-lefts-assault-on-election-law/.
  12. “Coalition Letter Urging Senators to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett.” Independent Women’s Forum, October 8, 2020. https://www.iwf.org/2020/10/08/coalition-letter-urging-senators-to-confirm-amy-coney-barrett/.
  13. “Education Policy Update with Secretary Betsy DeVos.” Rule Of Law Defense Fund, December 17, 2020. https://rldf.org/education-policy-update-with-secretary-betsy-devos/.
  14. “COVID-19 and the States.” Rule Of Law Defense Fund, December 17, 2020. https://rldf.org/keynote-remarks-from-governor-noem/.
  15. “Policy Podcast: Fireside Chat with Department of Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette.” Rule Of Law Defense Fund, December 17, 2020. https://rldf.org/policy-podcast-fireside-chat-with-department-of-energy-secretary-dan-brouillette/.
  16. Strickler, Laura, and Lisa Cavazuti. “Republican AGs Group Sent Robocalls Urging March to the Capitol.” NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, January 11, 2021. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/republican-ags-group-sent-robocalls-urging-march-capitol-n1253581.
  17.  Strickler, Laura, and Lisa Cavazuti. “Republican AGs Group Sent Robocalls Urging March to the Capitol.” NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, January 11, 2021. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/republican-ags-group-sent-robocalls-urging-march-capitol-n1253581.
  18. Lyman, Brian. “Steve Marshall: Dark Money Group Working on Review in Wake of Deadly Capitol Riot.” The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery Advertiser, January 11, 2021. https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2021/01/11/steve-marshall-rule-of-law-defense-fund-working-on-review-in-wake-of-deadly-capitol-riot-washington/6615714002/.
  19. Lyman, Brian. “Steve Marshall: Dark Money Group Working on Review in Wake of Deadly Capitol Riot.” The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery Advertiser, January 11, 2021. https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2021/01/11/steve-marshall-rule-of-law-defense-fund-working-on-review-in-wake-of-deadly-capitol-riot-washington/6615714002/.
  20. Wilson, Reid. “GOP Attorneys General Group in Turmoil after Jan. 6 Trump Rally.” TheHill. The Hill, April 22, 2021. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/549840-gop-attorneys-general-group-in-turmoil-after-jan-6-trump-rally?rl=1
  21. Burkhalter, Eddie. “Another GOP Attorneys General Group Leader Resigns amid Capitol Attack Fallout.” Alabama Political Reporter, May 4, 2021. https://www.alreporter.com/2021/05/04/another-gop-attorneys-general-group-leader-resigns-amid-capitol-attack-fallout/.
  22. Strickler, Laura, and Lisa Cavazuti. “Republican AGs Group Sent Robocalls Urging March to the Capitol.” NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, January 11, 2021. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/republican-ags-group-sent-robocalls-urging-march-capitol-n1253581.
  23. Perez, Andrew, and Lee Fang. “GOP Law Enforcement Chiefs Invited Donors to Help Set Policy Via Secret Bulletin Board.” The Intercept. First Look Institute, February 12, 2018. https://theintercept.com/2018/02/12/gop-law-enforcement-chiefs-invited-donors-to-help-set-policy-via-secret-bulletin-board/.
  24. Perez, Andrew, and Lee Fang. “GOP Law Enforcement Chiefs Invited Donors to Help Set Policy Via Secret Bulletin Board.” The Intercept. First Look Institute, February 12, 2018. https://theintercept.com/2018/02/12/gop-law-enforcement-chiefs-invited-donors-to-help-set-policy-via-secret-bulletin-board/.
  25. Ingles, Jo. “Watchdog Group Sues Ohio Attorney General For Records On Republican Groups.” WOSU News. The Ohio State University, December 2, 2020. https://news.wosu.org/news/2020-12-02/watchdog-group-sues-ohio-attorney-general-for-records-on-republican-groups
  26. Nichols, John. “Mitch McConnell Just Reached a New Low.” The Nation, February 18, 2017. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/mitch-mcconnell-just-reached-a-new-low/.
  27. Lipton, Eric, Lisa Friedman, and Kenneth P. Vogel. “A Lobbyist Helped Scott Pruitt Plan a Morocco Trip. Then Morocco Hired the Lobbyist.” The New York Times. The New York Times, May 2, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/01/us/pruitt-epa-trips-lobbyists.html.
  28. “Republican Attorneys General Association Announces New Leadership Team for 2021.” Republican Attorneys General Association, December 31, 2020. https://republicanags.com/2020/11/10/republican-attorneys-general-association-announces-new-leadership-team-for-2021/.
  29. “Steve Marshall.” National Association of Attorneys General, November 9, 2020. https://www.naag.org/attorney-general/steve-marshall/.
  30. Massoglia, Anna. “Biden Nominee’s Confirmation Fight Fueled by Dueling ‘Dark Money’ Groups.” OpenSecrets News. Center for Responsive Politics, March 9, 2021. https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2021/03/gupta-confirmation-fight-fueled-by-darkmoney.
  31. “Rule of Law Defense Fund.” Conservative Transparency. American Bridge 21st Century Foundation. Accessed July 5, 2021. http://conservativetransparency.org/org/rule-of-law-defense-fund/.
  32. Corey, Jamie. “Republican Attorneys General Dark Money Group Organized Protest Preceding Capitol Mob Attack.” Documented, January 11, 2021. https://documented.net/2021/01/republican-attorneys-general-dark-money-group-organized-protest-preceding-capitol-mob-attack/.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: December 1, 2014

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2017 Dec Form 990 $907,000 $937,024 $454,551 $78,908 N $907,000 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $1,072,000 $720,366 $405,667 $0 N $1,072,000 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $953,710 $1,135,475 $54,872 $841 N $953,710 $0 $0 $12,000 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $855,000 $627,760 $236,740 $104 N $855,000 $0 $0 $0 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)