The Wren Collective
Reimagining the Way Our Country Approaches the Legal System
The Wren Collective works to transform America’s approach to public safety, expose the weaponization of the legal system, and ensure every person has the chance to participate in civic society. For too long, those with power have exploited the criminal legal system to take away the rights of marginalized communities, people of color, immigrants, and increasingly, their political opponents.
Wren pushes for a world where everyone—not just those with money and power—can live healthy, safe, and dignified lives.
Read Our Recent Publications
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The Impact of DOGE’s Federal Workforce Cuts
In the weeks following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, his administration has launched an unprecedented assault on the federal workforce. Working with unelected billionaire Elon Musk, who leads…
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Talking Points for Fighting Fascism
This is the first in a series of urgent updates–Talking Points for Fighting Fascism–from The Wren Collective tracking the rapid erosion of democratic norms under President Trump’s second term. It…
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State Sovereignty Under Siege
For decades, conservatives championed the idea that power should remain with states and local governments. But Trump’s latest actions tell a different story: one where the federal government overrides local…
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Soldiers at Our Borders, Agents on Our Streets: The Fight for Immigrants’ Rights Is a Fight for Democracy
As of today, the fate of the approximately 11 million undocumented people in this country hangs in the balance. The Trump administration is currently playing coy after details leaked about…
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Not Just Trump: Fights For Democracy Are Happening Across The Country
We’ve been quiet these last few weeks. Many have offered their analyses for this country’s tremendous voter swings as well their predictions about what is to come under a second…
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Gideon Turns 60: Harris County, TX
In “Death by Design” Parts 1 and 2, Wren investigated the state of court-appointed capital representation in Harris County—the death penalty capital of the world. The first report delves into…
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Court Decisions on Democracy
Note to Readers: Exciting news! This year the Wren Collective has moved our newsletters to Substack, creating an opportunity for you to more easily find and engage with them. This…
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I wish we had been wrong: A Wren Collective 2025 Year in Review
“One thing is clear: in the years to come, we will see a lot of horrible things happen. We will see our undocumented friends deported, political prosecutions increase, and surveillance…
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One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Shadow Immigration Forces Threaten Police Reforms
As immigration raids sweep across the country, many of us are watching ICE and CBP agents act like a shadow police force. Agents appear free to harass anyone who happens…
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