Dear John,
The nation’s co-president, an unelected billionaire, is controlling the infrastructure of our federal government and contributing to conditions that, each day, brings a new source of pain. And executive edicts now fuel government policy – even when they lack a legal or Constitutional basis. The results harm starving children whose food sources were halted, sick people who no longer have access to medicine, those hoping for cures for chronic diseases that are now further out-of-reach by the elimination of medical research grants, and dedicated employees who have been arbitrarily fired and sent home to worry about paying mortgages, utility bills, and for groceries.
In addition, countries that were our loyal friends are now responding to economically crippling tariffs, portending a potential trade war that could wreak havoc on the world economy. Another of those friends, a war-torn nation, can no longer rely on its once closest ally, the United States, as it fights for its life against a ruthless invading dictator.
And now we are seeing an unprecedented strike against the only sector that can hold lawless behavior to account: the legal profession. The baseless and unconstitutional attacks against law firms and judges are an affront not just to the profession, but to a country that relies on the justice system to work.
Lawyers must now choose between silence or action. Their decision will affect the course of history.
In an important editorial, the Boston Globe wrote that “it’s precisely because of the crucial role the legal profession plays in upholding the rule of law that Trump’s real-life efforts to harass and intimidate lawyers must be resisted.” Our executive director, Lauren Stiller Rikleen, was quoted in the editorial addressing how attacks on the legal profession can destroy the rule of law and our justice system.
In a recent article addressing the many ways that the tsunami of executive actions has undermined the Constitution and the rule of law, LDAD Board member Kelly Sheridan wrote in the Fulcrum: “Tragically, for our country, the President has intentionally chosen to pursue his agenda in a manner that is unconstitutional or unlawful. The risk to our democracy is compounded by Congressional complicity and inaction.” See: The Trump Administration’s Current Approach Discards the Rule of Law.
LDAD is extraordinarily grateful for the increasing generosity of our supporters and their commitment to our efforts to work tirelessly to protect the rule of law and our justice system. This support is inspiring and helps us expand our reach and increase the projects we can undertake. To contribute to LDAD, please click here.
Lawyers Defending American Democracy
