Our Constitution has always been one of the strongest parts of our nation’s enviable reputation as the leader of the free world. The founders of our nation were fresh out of a revolution against King George of England, and they wanted to make darn sure that no individual man would ever again have absolute power over them. Hence, the Constitution is a blueprint for the rule of law.
It really is a brilliant document, designed with “checks and balances” that prevent any one of the three branches of our government from gaining too much power over the others. Laws could be changed, but not without due process that the Constitution laid out in detail.
Well, sorry folks, but I’ve discovered a fatal flaw in the rule of law: it only works if everyone agrees to obey the law! What’s going on in Washington currently is a bipartisan disaster that should have everyone up in arms just like it undoubtedly has the Founders turning over in their graves. As traffic signals only save lives if we all agree to respect them, the laws of our nation exist to keep our system running smoothly, even as different parties with different governing philosophies take turns at calling the shots. We agree to stop at red lights and we agree that those who don’t will be punished. What would you think of someone who announced that they no longer would be bound by traffic laws because they didn’t agree that they should have to let others go ahead of them?
Donald Trump was elected in part because he promised to do some things that many people wanted done, such as reducing the size of the federal government. This is not unusual for the Republican Party to say they want, as part of a conservative approach to governing, and it certainly is not illegal or in violation of our Constitution. Even Democrats would not disagree that many government agencies could benefit from an assessment of how efficiently they operate. But, to use an oversimplified example, if you wanted to clean out your garage, would you throw away everything in there and then have to go find things as you realized you truly needed them? I do not believe those who voted for Trump even considered that he would take that approach.
I think anyone other than the knee-jerk MAGA people, who automatically love everything Trump does, would have trouble defending this method of making the government more efficient. The list of valuable functions performed by people in agencies now being dismantled is staggering. There’s no way each department or employee was evaluated and found to be redundant or unnecessary. It reminds me of the story of the decision to pardon all of the January 6 convicts: Trump’s staff was debating about how to handle those violent offenders who had broken many more laws than the other participants. Trump became frustrated, or bored, with all the discussion and said, “Let’s just pardon all of them.” Problem solved…?
But there’s a bigger problem with what Trump and Musk are doing in the name of government efficiency: many of the actions they are taking are explicitly illegal, based on the laws passed by Congress about how certain changes must be made. Like giving notice and cause for terminating someone’s employment; like protecting the privacy of citizens’ personal financial data; like due process for making changes to the way Congress has appropriated money that is now being held (impounded) by the Executive branch. Our system of laws has ways to make sure that changes are not based solely upon the whim of a single man and his buddies.
Have you noticed that it’s much easier to obey laws that you like rather than ones you don’t like? This is human nature, and we are unlikely to change that, but in one of the truly unique features of a healthy democracy, if you don’t like a law you can gather some like-minded folks and get the law changed. However, if you don’t follow the pathway in the Constitution, then you are considered a criminal, and possibly even a traitor. Yes, laws must be interpreted, and this, too, is subject to much debate. When we discover we have elected a President who chooses to ignore laws he doesn’t like, we then rely on our courts, whose rulings are meant to clarify the intent of the Constitution. And now, our elected officials are claiming the right to ignore unfavorable court decisions. Lord, help us.
I have avoided mentioning the human cost of this impulsive and illegal activity, which is heartbreaking, and the enormous cost to the security of our nation and our citizens. Right now, focusing on what is illegal and unconstitutional has to come first, although the process seems dreadfully slow compared to the lightning speed of some of these executive actions. This President is basically saying, “Because I said so” as his justification for breaking the law, and we the people have to stop him.
Call our congressmen and tell them you want them to follow the Constitution, and put some limits on President Trump’s illegal actions. Reach Chip Roy at 202225-4236. Reach John Cornyn at 202-224-2934. Reach Ted Cruz at 202-224-5922. You’re not against what he wants to do, you’re against how he’s doing it.
Susan Hull is a retired clinical psychologist, a rule-follower (mostly) and an Independent voter. She hopes the cycle of midterm elections shifting the balance of power in Washington since 1992 continues in 2026.
