On 250th anniversary of US, many constitutional rights under assault by Trump

Editor:

This year we celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Declaration of Independence claims that “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.”

While the Constitution starts off with “We the People of the United States,” it is clear that the Constitution and this government belong to the people. Today those principles, written in the Constitution, are under assault.

The President has actively explored suspending habeas corpus and denying due process.  Internal memos by Will Scharf, serving as the White House staff secretary, show that the administration was seriously considering suspending habeas corpus.

Habeas corpus protects everyone against arbitrary government decisions and ensures a measure of fairness in the legal system. Without it, the government could arrest anyone on any charges, and you have no right to defend yourself. You are guaranteed the right to habeas corpus by Article 1 section 9 of the Constitution. And you are guaranteed due process by both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment. These rights are guaranteed in the Constitution to everyone, citizen or undocumented.

This administration with compliant Republican Congress, are assaulting other constitutional rights. Actions taken by this administration against media companies, law firms, libraries, and federal agencies threaten your First Amendment rights. The administration rescinded funds already approved for PBS and NPR; they have sued the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. They have gone after ABC, CNN and CBS for their reporting and editorial practices.

They have gone after university research funding to force only speech the administration considers appropriate on college campuses. Recently, this administration, with compliant Republicans, have gone after the First Amendment rights of citizens in Syracuse and Rochester, New York.

The President has declared national emergencies to issue Executive Orders that subvert the Constitution’s separation of powers. Aided by a pliant Republican Congress they have pulled back funds appropriated by Congress, who the Constitution gives control of the federal purse strings.

They have implemented sweeping tariffs on foreign goods, also abridging Congress authority. And they have demolished federal departments authorized by Congress. Republicans control Congress and could stop these assaults on the Constitution and our freedoms, but they fear the President more than they fear their constituents.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, it is important to know that this is your country, your “republic, if you can keep it,” as Benjamin Franklin said.

Thomas Jefferson stated that “When the people fear the government that is tyranny, but when the government fears the people that is democracy.”

Our Democracy is under assault by this Republican administration. I urge you not to let Republicans take away our Constitutional rights.

William Fine

Brockport