Friend,

This has been a historic week.

The Supreme Court released its last decisions for the term and fundamentally changed our government. Most prominently, the court determined that former presidents have blanket immunity from prosecution for “official” acts of the office and that the Courts hold more power than federal agencies in determining rules and regulations for administering acts of Congress.

The Court’s most recent decisions consolidate immense power in our presidency and our Courts, and it is absolutely terrifying.

In her dissent, Justice Sotomayor said it best,

"Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. 

Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? 

Immune. Immune, immune, immune. 

"Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the president and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably."

- Justice Sonia Sotomayor

It’s almost like the conservative majority on the Supreme Court is working against our Declaration of Independence the very week we celebrate 248 years of Independence from a monarchy. 

I know the feeling of living in a land you have limited control over–it’s why I fight for Puerto Rican statehood and why I have been fighting against Donald Trump, our conservative Supreme Court, and the MAGA movement for nearly eight years. 

In the United States of America, we are blessed with a system of democracy built on checks and balances that holds our leaders accountable and is truly by and for the people. It’s not feeling that way anymore. 

If this week has left you in a state of confusion and worry for the future of our government, I implore you to vote for Democrats this fall. We hold each other accountable. We take protecting our democracy seriously. And we will never succumb to the desires of conservative justices who will criminalize homelessness while legalizing bribery, court overreach in policy, and a dictatorship. 

With this week’s decisions, I don’t think it’s alarmist to say the future of our country is depending on us. We can’t let it down, 

Nydia