ACS Denounces Administration's Disregard for Separation of Powers, Rule of Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Rodriguez, media@acslaw.org

Washington, D.C. –  The Trump administration has spent its first month attempting to amass power through executive orders, executive actions, and threats of reprisal. Though the American Constitution Society and its members oppose many of the policies this administration supports, it is the disregard for the separation of powers, the constitutional order, and the rule of law that is unequivocally alarming.

Trump and his enablers are attempting unilaterally to reshape the federal government by dismantling congressionally created federal agencies, firing or suspending federal employees at all levels for perceived lack of loyalty to Trump, questioning and flouting the authority of the courts, and engaging in terror campaigns against the most vulnerable among us, including immigrant communities and transgender people.

These actions threaten our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law, without which no one’s rights can be assured.

In the absence of respect for the limits of his own power, it is the constitutional responsibility of the other two branches of the federal government to check the executive branch. Yet Congress has demonstrated an unwillingness to object to even the most egregious of the president’s power grabs. And amidst reporting that the administration is attempting to circumvent court orders restraining its various federal funding freezes, members of the Trump administration have gone so far as to question the well-settled proposition that the judiciary has the constitutional authority to review executive actions that may violate the Constitution or federal law.

In the face of these attacks on our constitutional order, the American Constitution Society is more dedicated than ever to work with our network and allies to educate about the dangers to our democracy, speak out against abuses, and empower our network of lawyers, law students, scholars, elected officials, and advocates to join us in the fight.

The first month of this new administration has been punishing for those of us who hold dear the highest ideals and potential of our Constitution. But we have been here before; in fact, almost 25 years ago ACS was born from times like these. As we have done in the past, ACS will lean into the creativity and ingenuity of our network to map out new routes to achieve our goals by engaging, uniting, and growing our progressive communities, expanding our state-based work, and creating partnerships with like-minded advocates. Now more than ever, ACS is committed to bringing progressives together to create community, protect our democracy, and uphold the Constitution.

There are many ways to engage with ACS in this work. While not exhaustive, a few of the opportunities include:

Volunteer Your Time

ACS frequently receives request for legal assistance from our network. Take our volunteer survey for opportunities to volunteer as they arise in areas like immigration, reproductive rights, and more.
Use your legal training to support the Notice and Comment Project, Constitution in the Classroom, and Voting Rights Project.

Contribute Your Ideas

Submit a piece to ACS’s Expert Forum providing your legal perspective and raising awareness about how these attacks are affecting your communities and how your communities are responding.
Recommend topics and guests for ACS’s biweekly podcast, Broken Law, by emailing podcast@acslaw.org and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Strengthen Your Local Progressive Community

Join your local ACS chapter to strategize and organize with your community. If you do not have a chapter near you, now is the time to start one. E-mail us at LCEmails@acslaw.org.
Attend ACS events hosted by your local chapter or virtual events sponsored by ACS National.
Make sure your ACS membership is current or become a member. ACS members receive access to our job bank and career assistance.
Share career opportunities with us to help advance ACS members’ careers. E-mail us at LCEmails@acslaw.org

Amplify Our Voice

Share ACS’s message with members of your community and on social media.
Use ACS’s work to inform your conversations with leaders and officeholders in your communities and state.
Encourage lawyers and law students in your community to become active members of their local ACS chapter.

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AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY
The American Constitution Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan legal organization. Through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, advocates, and many others, our mission is to support and advocate for laws and legal systems that redress the founding failures of our Constitution, strengthen our democratic legitimacy, uphold the rule of law, and realize the promise of equality for all, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and other historically excluded communities. For more information, visit us at www.acslaw.org.