United to Protect Democracy (often shortened to “Protect Democracy”) is a left-of-center litigation and advocacy organization created to oppose the policies of President Donald Trump.

The Protect Democracy Project is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of United to Protect Democracy.

Political Activities

Security from Political Interference in Justice Action of 2019

On June 21, 2019, United to Protect Democracy sponsored a letter urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Security from Political Interference in Justice Act, legislation introduced by Democratic Sens. Kamala Harris (CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and Richard Blumenthal (CT). ¹ The bill targeted the Trump administration and among other things would have required the White House to create detailed logs of communications between it and the Department of Justice and disclose them to the Congress. ²

Co-signatories to the letter included the Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Niskanen Center, Project on Government Oversight, Public Citizen, Republicans for the Rule of Law (a project of Defending Democracy Together), Stand Up Republic, and Tech Freedom. ³

Leadership

Ian Bassin is president and executive director of United to Protect Democracy; he holds the same position in Protect Democracy Project. ^{4 5} In 2017, Bassin’s total salary from both organizations totaled $185,943, with an additional estimated compensation of $16,577 from both nonprofits. ⁶

United to Protect Democracy’s board of directors consists of Bassin, Emily Loeb, Justin Florence, Jeff Berman, and Jerry Hauser. ⁷

Funding

According to its 2017 IRS filing (Form 990), United to Protect Democracy and Protect Democracy Project are not “‘related organizations’ as that term is defined the [IRS] Form 990 glossary.” However, the organizations have a “cost-sharing agreement” in which the Protect Democracy Project “pays United to Protect Democracy (UPD) for its allocable share of personnel, equipment, facilities and other resources.” ⁸

1. Press Release. “Bipartisan coalition letter in support of Security from Political Interference in Justice Act of 2019.” United to Protect Democracy. June 21, 2019. Accessed June 24, 2019. Original URL: https://protectdemocracy.org/update/political-interference-bipartisan-coalition/. Archived here: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/06/Press-Release-Security-from-Political-Interference.-06.21.2019.pdf
2. Press Release. “Harris, Whitehouse, Blumenthal Introduce Bill to Protect Independence of Justice Department.” Office of Sen. Kamala Harris. June 21, 2019. Accessed June 24, 2019. https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/harris-whitehouse-blumenthal-introduce-bill-to-protect-independence-of-justice-department
3. Press Release. “Bipartisan coalition letter in support of Security from Political Interference in Justice Act of 2019.” United to Protect Democracy. June 21, 2019. Accessed June 24, 2019. Original URL: https://protectdemocracy.org/update/political-interference-bipartisan-coalition/. Archived here: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/06/Press-Release-Security-from-Political-Interference.-06.21.2019.pdf
4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). United to Protect Democracy (2017). Part VIII, Section A. Available here: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/03/united-to-protect-democracy-2017-form-990.pdf
5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Protect Democracy Project (2016). Part VIII, Section A.
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). United to Protect Democracy (2017). Schedule O (for Part VII). Available here: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/03/united-to-protect-democracy-2017-form-990.pdf
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). United to Protect Democracy (2017). Part VIII, Section A. Available here: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/03/united-to-protect-democracy-2017-form-990.pdf
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). United to Protect Democracy (2017). Schedule O (for Part VII). Available here: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/03/united-to-protect-democracy-2017-form-990.pdf