"Society cannot exist without law. Law is the bond of society: that which makes it, that which preserves it and keeps it together. It is, in fact, the essence of civil society" ~ Joseph P. Bradley~
Sometimes you question your life choices. I chose to become a member of the legal profession because I thought it was an honorable profession, and an essential part of the democratic process. And yes, the money can be nice, but I always considered that just a bonus. I mean electricians and plumbers can make good money as well, but theirs is not a profession that is essential to one of the three branches of our government. Now I am wondering if it was all worth it. Maybe I should have chosen another profession, because the legal profession is not looking so good these days.
I have been very upset with legal organizations such as the National Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the ACLU of late. Shout out to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, as they seem to be the only ones with a little fight left. Don't even get me started on some of these big and powerful law firms. The have totally capitulated to Trump for fear of losing millions of dollars in contracts with the federal government.
Donald Trump and his regime have been trampling over the rule of law and tearing down legal institutions in a way that should terrify all of us. And yet, sadly, there has been little or no pushback from the aforementioned groups. Trump and his minions have been relentless in their push to dismantle the rule of law. Our only saving grace is that Trump, who is himself incompetent, has surrounded himself with incompetent people. There is a saying that says, "there is nothing worse than an incompetent fascist". Fortunately for us, in this case its working in our favor.
A couple of days ago federal agents went into a state Judge's courtroom an arrested her. Their excuse for doing it was that she was obstructing justice and preventing ICE agents from arrested a wanted illegal immigrant. Now I could write an entire treatise on why this was wrong, but consider this: Ice warrants are administrative, and that Judge had no duty to honor such a warrant. She was doing her job in a state proceeding and federal agents had no right to be in her court and disrupt the sanctity of that space to enforce an administrative warrant. Where in a functioning democracy do we arrest Judges? And if we do, what happens to the checks and balances between the Judicial and Executive branches of government?
Consider the impact these types of actions will have on the rule of law in various cities. Immigrants will now be afraid to go to court as witnesses, defendants, and complainants. What happens then? More lawlessness, as guilty people walk free, and justice cannot be properly serves to those who deserve it. This will be true for citizens, non-citizens, and those who are here illegally. I have been in countless courtrooms arguing cases before Judges like Hannah Dugan, and I can tell you, that just the thought of a Judge being subject to arrest in such a manner diminishes the entire judicial process.
A direct quote from the current president of the United States: "Radical Left judges could very well lead to the destruction of our Country! These people are Lunatics, who do not care, even a little bit, about the repercussions from their very dangerous and incorrect Decisions and Rulings...The danger is unparalleled". It certainly is. But not because of the rulings and decisions from the Judges. The danger is from the Executive branch, and their total disregard for the rule of law in what should be a functioning democracy.
Stay vigilant.