Rebuilding a Common Civic Language
This campaign was built to reinforce the civic literacy our democracy depends on. Checks and balances and the due process of law are the foundation of U.S. democracy. Congress and the courts are essential safeguards against abuse.
Reinforcing these fundamentals is especially critical during moments of uncertainty and division. In recent years — and especially leading into early 2026 — Americans have repeatedly reckoned with events that tested the limits of executive power. When constitutional guardrails are weakened, the consequences affect everyone.
Reaching People Where They Are
Because the Constitution is interpreted and fought over in courtrooms, too many Americans think it is the domain of judges and lawyers. Basic legal principles are often misunderstood — especially in rapid information cycles. But the Constitution belongs to the American people. This campaign is designed to bring basic constitutional principles into people’s lives: online, on streaming platforms, and on social media.
Why Video?
We translated constitutional principles into a primer of how our system is supposed to work, using a visual language that's accessible to a broad, ideologically-diverse audience. Hand-drawn animation breaks through the digital clutter with vivid, accessible storytelling and a message that’s clear, urgent, and unforgettable.
The campaign launched with a 60-second hero video, supported by 30- and 15-second cut-downs.
In late February 2026, we expanded the campaign to reach Spanish-speaking audiences.
The Response
Within just three weeks of launch, the video amassed over 24 million views across social media and streaming ads.
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Who We Are
The Brennan Center for Justice is an independent, nonpartisan law and policy organization that works to reform, revitalize, and defend our country’s systems of democracy and justice. We are committed to the rule of law. We work to craft and advance a transformative reform agenda of solutions that aim to make American democracy work for all. This project was created by the Brennan Center in close collaborationwith //kneeon studios.
