ACLU reveals seven-point plan to fight Trump policies, files information request
The American Civil Liberties Union announced on Inauguration Day that it plans to hire up to 100 full-time employees to implement a new seven-point plan to fight Trump administration policies.
The new hires will be funded with money from a Constitution Defense Fund that has amassed nearly 400,000 donations since Donald Trump’s election as president, according to a press release.
In the first legal action under the plan, the ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act request (PDF) on Thursday that asks government agencies for documents related to Trump’s actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Documents sought include legal opinions and memoranda from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, the Office of Government Ethics and other government agencies. The request also seeks emails to and from the presidential transition team.
The seven-point plan is to take steps that will:
Demand government accountability and transparency, through Freedom of Information Act requests and the defense of whistleblowers.
Protect the rights of immigrants. Toward that end, the ACLU will file lawsuits challenging racial profiling and Fourth Amendment violations in immigration enforcement. The group will also challenge immigration policies that discriminate against Muslims.
Defend reproductive rights, in part through challenging abortion restrictions.
Protect First Amendment rights by providing legal observers at protests and filing lawsuit to protect protesters.
Defend LGBT rights by fighting discriminatory legislation. The group also plans to sue the Department of Defense if it reinstates the ban on open military service by transgender people.
Defend civil rights by challenging unconstitutional police practices and measures that suppress the right to vote.
Mobilize the public.
Typo in headline corrected on Jan. 24.
