PROGRESSIVE VIEWS
“Saving our bacon” is a very old slang term originating from the practice of protecting prized bacon from scavenging dogs. Later, “bacon” came to mean the human body.
In any event, you get the idea: Our judicial system appears to be the only entity protecting us from a totalitarian regime bent on taking complete control of our nation.
The recent election defeat of Hungary’s far right Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is good news, and hopefully, a trend we will see replicated in the United States and around the world.
Healthy democracies promote a system of effective checks and balances. Our Congress has become a lapdog, so the only check on presidential power is our judiciary.
The current administration has attempted to use emergency powers and executive orders at an unprecedented rate. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) recently remarked, “The Trump Administration has acted illegally and unconstitutionally in ways that weaken our democratic institutions, slow down our economy, roll back protections for public health and the environment, and put health care and Social Security benefits at risk for millions of Americans. And that’s just the start.”
Lawfare, a respected nonprofit, nonpartisan publication that provides analysis of legal and policy issues, had this insight: “President Trump is not the first president to invoke emergency powers for lessthan- crisis-level policy matters. But the sheer scale, pace and breadth of emergency powers deployed by this administration presents an opportunity for courts to reject this behavior and rein in executive overreach.”
Fittingly, a federal judge just stopped construction of the aboveground portion of the White House ballroom, saying it must have congressional approval.
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed in response to the actions of the current administration.
According to AP News, 150 have been blocked, 102 left in effect, and 107 are pending.
The huge number of losses in court by this administration is the result of work by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU defends the rights of all people in our nation. They are leading the fight to restrain an out-of-control executive branch.
It was arrogant to attempt to change the constitutional right of “birthright citizenship” with an executive order. The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all children born in the United States.
Not only unconstitutional but also morally wrong, as ending “birthright citizenship” would upend the lives of thousands of innocent families. The ACLU defended this right, and I’m rooting for the Supreme Court to put an end to the nonsense.
Closer to home, the Texas Freedom Network has also been leading legal battles against tyranny. In conjunction with the ACLU, a lawsuit has been filed to remove the unconstitutional aspects of Texas Senate Bill 12, which places expanded restrictions on classroom instruction and student activities. The bill is basically an anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) overreach.
TFN Political Director Rocío Fierro-Pérez said, “SB 12 gives politicians the license to undermine the histories, identities and voices of countless Texans. It opens the door to the erasure of Black, brown, LGBTQIA+, immigrant and Indigenous narratives in our classrooms “It intimidates educators from teaching history truthfully and discussing identity honestly. It impacts the ability of students and teachers to engage in meaningful, reflective dialogue that fosters empathy and critical thinking.”
Retribution cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James have been thrown out. Grand juries are refusing indictments in cases brought by the Justice Department.
The best example was the attempted indictment of the six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video encouraging military members to stand up against illegal orders. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired because she failed to win absurd cases against high profile political opponents and enemies of the current president. She also contributed to the mass exodus of skilled career Justice Department lawyers who couldn’t stomach her lack of independence and ethics.
Surely we can do better. I am not Catholic, but I have tremendous respect for Pope Leo and his efforts to spread a philosophy of peace and love.
To learn more, check out the Kendall County Democratic Party website: kcdems. us.
Kevin Henning is a local Democrat
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