The rule of law is one of the most important reasons our democracy has survived since its inception. Our nation has faced different threats over time, from external as well as domestic sources. Unfortunately, the greatest clear and present danger today is the Trump administration’s increasing disregard for the separation of powers associated with the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
This power grab by the executive branch, initiated by President Trump, has been aided and abetted by the Republican Party, which controls both houses of Congress. Republicans have abdicated their responsibility to legislate independently–to do their job. To date, the judicial branch, at least to some degree, has provided the only guard rail against the reckless actions of the President and his allies. However, this guardrail is only effective to the degree that the administration accepts the equal role of the judicial branch.
Recently, the administration has defied a court order regarding the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members, without giving them a legal hearing. Trump also ordered the arrest and deportation of Mahmoud Khalil without due process. His “crime”? Speaking up for Palestinian civil rights. Mr. Khalil lives in the U. S. legally.
Ignoring the law of due process demonstrates a total disregard for the rule of law, an essential tenet of our democracy. Make no mistake, when the right to due process is taken away from one, it is a threat to us all.
Tim Knoster
March 21, 2025