Washington, D.C. — Democracy Forward Senior Counsel Erez Reuveni received the 2026 Truth-Telling Prize by the Ridenhour Prizes at the organization’s annual awards dinner at the National Press Club yesterday. The honor comes as the nation celebrates Law Day, a national observance established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to celebrate the rule of law, the legal system, and its role in protecting individual liberties.
The Ridenhour Truth-Telling Prize recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage and integrity in bringing important facts to light in the public interest. The award honors Reuveni’s decision to come forward with whistleblower disclosures detailing directives by senior U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) leadership to mislead federal courts and defy court orders — actions that strike at the core of the rule of law.
“Erez Reuveni’s integrity and fidelity to the rule of law and the legal profession’s ethical standards is something all lawyers should emulate and for which all Americans should be grateful,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “At a time when the integrity of our justice system is under sustained attack and when pressure is mounting for government attorneys to prioritize political loyalty, Erez chose principle over position, refusing to mislead the courts and instead did his part to defend the Constitution and the rule of law. His integrity reminds us that truth still matters, that the law still matters, and that individuals can make a profound difference in protecting our democracy.”
Reuveni served for almost 15 years as a career attorney at the DOJ, where he handled and supervised some of the federal government’s most complex immigration litigation across administrations of both parties. In 2025, he refused DOJ leadership directives to misrepresent facts in court filings, after which he was placed on administrative leave and ultimately fired. Later that year, he made protected disclosures to Congress and oversight bodies documenting multiple attempts by senior officials to undermine judicial proceedings and ignore court orders.
“Truth-telling in government is part of our duty as civil servants, and central to the oath to support and defend the Constitution all government employees undertake,” said Erez Reuveni, Senior Counsel at Democracy Forward. “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition, and remain committed to ensuring that our courts are respected, that the law is followed, and that people and communities have access to justice. I am eager to continue that work alongside my colleagues at Democracy Forward.”
The Ridenhour Prizes, established in memory of investigative journalist Ron Ridenhour, celebrate individuals who advance truth, accountability, and justice. Past recipients include whistleblowers, journalists, and public servants whose actions have had a lasting impact on democratic institutions and public trust.
Reuveni is part of Democracy Forward’s growing legal team, which includes former career civil servants and experienced litigators dedicated to defending the Constitution, safeguarding access to the courts, and holding government actors accountable when they violate the law.
Democracy Forward has been at the forefront of legal challenges to unlawful government actions, securing key victories that protect people and communities nationwide. The organization’s work reflects the same commitment to truth and accountability that the Ridenhour Prizes seek to elevate.
For more information about the Ridenhour Prizes, visit www.ridenhour.org.
