What is We Hold These Truths?

We Hold These Truths is a bipartisan community of pro-democracy leaders, artists, activists, executives, veterans, lawyers, legal scholars, and elected officials committed to promoting freedom, equality, and democracy. Our work seeks to provide Americans with clear, reliable, and accessible facts about the protections provided under the U.S. Constitution for all people and showcase the work required to safeguard our freedoms and our nation’s ideals.

We aim to share accessible principles and civic values that are increasingly under threat today; these principles and values unite Americans across communities, professional sectors, and political parties. 

How did We Hold These Truths get started?

Many of us – just like you – wanted to find a way to advance and safeguard the rule of law. A group of friend from both sides of the aisle came together in an effort to reinforce and reemphasize the core principles of constitutional democracy. We started from a place of understanding: many Americans were confused, even fearful, about what was happening in the United States, and they did not know how to access accurate, nonpartisan information about their rights. In joining together across party lines to write the “truths,” we sought to outline fairly and concisely the basics of American civics.

Why are you called “We Hold These Truths”?

On July 4, 1776, in the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” The “truths” Jefferson espoused – the rights to equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – are just as relevant today.

Have you updated the truths for 2025?

Yes and no. The “truths” are unassailable, enduring principles. But We Hold These Truths seeks to apply the truths to 2025 America and make them accessible to all.

We remain resolute in our commitment to this nation’s enduring principles, including:

• Personal Freedoms: Upholding free speech, fair criminal justice, and personal autonomy.

• Equality: Guaranteeing equal rights and opportunities for every American, recognizing that freedom depends on equality for all.

• Democracy and Elections: Supporting accessible voting, honoring election results, and protecting the peaceful transfer of power.

• The Rule of Law: Limiting government power through equality before the law, due process, judicial independence, and accountability.

• Separation of Powers: Ensuring no branch of government exceeds its constitutional authority, preserving checks and balances.

So what does We Hold These Truths actually do?

In the coming weeks, we plan to share more information designed to help people understand their rights, how to exercise them, and how to ensure that the rule of law is accessible to all. We’re working to develop relevant, easy-to-understand educational content that you can view through social media, on our website, and through community programming.

What are you asking of me?

For now, the biggest way you can support the We Hold These Truths movement is to share our website and our social media with your friends and family. As we build our platform, we’ll have more and more content for you to share.

Where will my monetary donation go?

Future public awareness and education efforts will be supported by the generous donations that we continue to receive through our website.