Five Critical Battles: How The Brennan Center For Justice Is Defending Democracy In 2025

The Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy institute at NYU School of Law, stands at the forefront of the most critical legal and political debates shaping the United States today. As of December 15, 2025, the organization is intensely focused on counteracting threats to democratic institutions, advocating for comprehensive criminal justice reform, and protecting the fundamental right to vote across the nation. Their work is not merely academic; it translates into cutting-edge litigation, policy development, and public advocacy aimed at building a more democratic and just America.

The urgency of their mission has never been clearer, with recent analyses highlighting systemic challenges like partisan gerrymandering, widening racial discrimination in the political system, and ambitious proposals—such as Project 2025—that seek to dramatically expand executive power. The Center's strategy is multi-faceted, addressing issues from the highest levels of the Supreme Court down to state-level legislative battles, ensuring the core principles of the Constitution are upheld and strengthened for future generations. This deep dive explores the five most critical areas where the Brennan Center is actively working to secure the nation's democratic future.

The Brennan Center for Justice: A Profile in Constitutional Advocacy

The Brennan Center for Justice was established in 1995 to honor the legacy of U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., a champion of individual rights and liberties. Located at the New York University School of Law, the organization functions as a unique hybrid: a think tank, a public interest law firm, and a communications hub. For three decades, the Center has pioneered policy solutions and engaged in litigation concerning money in politics, voting, and election administration.

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Their foundational mission is simple yet profound: to defend democracy, reform the justice system, and protect the Constitution. This involves securing the balance of power among government branches, protecting fundamental freedoms, and ensuring a just society. Their reports and analysis are frequently cited by policymakers, journalists, and courts, establishing the Center as an essential voice in the national conversation on democracy and justice.

Five Critical Battles for American Democracy: The Center's 2025 Agenda

The Center’s current work is defined by several high-stakes engagements that directly confront the challenges facing American governance and civil liberties. These initiatives represent their most urgent priorities for 2025 and beyond.

1. Countering the Assault on Voting Rights and Gerrymandering

A major focus for the Center is pushing back against restrictive voting laws and policies that threaten to undermine fair elections. Following the 25th anniversary of the controversial *Bush v. Gore* decision, the Center has issued analyses warning that the political system remains "primed for distortion and deeper division," particularly due to recent Supreme Court decisions on gerrymandering. Their research highlights how flagrant gerrymandering and widening racial discrimination continue to mark the electoral landscape, making the 2026 election a major concern.

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• Legislative Advocacy: The Center strongly advocates for Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, a comprehensive bill designed to bolster democracy by protecting voting rights, ending partisan gerrymandering, and reforming campaign finance.
• Litigation & Research: They are actively involved in efforts to restore the full strength of the Voting Rights Act and protect eligible voters from mass challenges and unwarranted voter roll purges, which often lead to voter suppression.

2. Analyzing and Resisting Project 2025’s Expansion of Executive Power

The Brennan Center has taken a leading role in scrutinizing Project 2025, a comprehensive blueprint for a conservative presidential administration. Their analysis points out that the proposals within Project 2025 would significantly expand executive power, potentially undermining the traditional checks and balances of the U.S. government. This involves a critical examination of plans that could compromise the independence and impartiality of law enforcement and prioritize political agendas over the rule of law.

The Center’s work in this area is crucial for informing the public and policymakers about the potential risks to institutional norms and constitutional structure posed by such far-reaching policy changes.

3. Advancing Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform

Reforming the nation’s criminal justice system is a core pillar of the Center’s work. While the political climate in Washington, D.C., is often stalled, the Brennan Center is actively engaged in developing and promoting policy solutions that focus on reducing mass incarceration, ensuring fairness, and addressing racial disparities. Their proposals often center on smart, data-driven reforms that prioritize public safety while upholding individual rights, contrasting sharply with proposals in Project 2025 that could threaten these advances.

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4. Strengthening the Rule of Law and Government Resilience

In a deeply polarized environment, the Center is dedicated to strengthening the foundational structures of government. They convened the National Task Force on Rule of Law & Democracy, a nonpartisan group of former public servants and policy experts, to outline proposals aimed at fortifying government integrity. Furthermore, through the "Democracy Futures Project," the Center has conducted nonpartisan tabletop exercises to test the resilience of democratic institutions against scenarios involving an authoritarian candidate winning the presidency, providing critical insights into potential vulnerabilities.

5. Driving State-Level Reform as Washington Stalls

Recognizing the paralysis in Congress, the Brennan Center has shifted significant focus to state governments, viewing them as "laboratories for reform and resistance." They provide legal and policy support to state-level initiatives that protect voting rights, reform criminal justice, and ensure fair political processes. This grassroots approach ensures that progress can continue even when federal action is blocked, making state legislatures and courts a key battleground for democracy advocates in the coming years.

Protecting the Constitution and Campaign Finance

Beyond the immediate crises, the Center maintains its long-standing focus on campaign finance reform and protecting the integrity of the Constitution itself. The issue of money in politics remains a central theme, as the Center believes that unchecked spending can distort political outcomes and drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. Their research provides essential data on the impact of campaign spending and proposes structural changes to ensure a more equitable political playing field. By continually studying, litigating, and developing policy solutions regarding money in politics, the Brennan Center ensures that the financial interests of a few do not override the democratic will of the many.

The work of the Brennan Center for Justice in 2025 is a testament to the ongoing effort required to maintain a healthy, functioning democracy. By focusing on critical areas like gerrymandering, executive overreach, and the fundamental right to vote, the Center continues to honor its namesake’s legacy, providing the legal and intellectual firepower necessary to protect the constitutional promise of a more democratic and just America.