1,000+ Lawyers and Public Officials Sign Statement of Principles in Support of the Rule of Law - Society for the Rule of Law
Every little bit, every dedication to truth and integrity, HELPS.
Let's support those who have believed differently than we do as liberals, but have come to realize that Donald is a monster not good for decent people to be around.
A Whos-Who of leading conservatives have come out against Donald and the conservative Majority on the SCOTUS by calling for truth in practice!
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
July 10, 2024
Statement by the Society for the Rule of Law affirms America's founding and constitutional principles; endorsed by leading figures and institutions from across the legal community.
WASHINGTON - July 11, 2024 - More than 1,000 attorneys, law students, judges, concerned citizens, and former public officials signed a new Statement of Principles issued by the Society for the Rule of Law re-affirming the legal community's commitment to America's founding principles. The statement calls on citizens to respect the courts and the rule of law, and defend our legal institutions at a time when they are under unprecedented threats from illiberal forces.
The Society is a nationwide membership organization of legal conservatives and others of all political leanings who are alarmed at the current threats to American democracy. The " Statement of Principles to Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and American Democracy " affirms that all American citizens — especially public officials charged with enacting and enforcing America's laws — have a constitutional duty to:
- Accept the legitimacy, respect the authority, and abide by the decisions and judgments of the federal courts interpreting the Constitution and laws of the United States
- Respect the rule of law by honoring the truth and speaking against untruths that undermine respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the courts
- Oppose efforts to undermine respect for the federal courts and the individual justices and judges who serve in the judiciary
- Support and defend the fundamental American principle that no person is above, beneath, or beyond the law
- Defend the constitutional rights of all Americans, respect the results of elections, and insist upon the peaceful transfer of power
The Statement comes at a time when American democracy and the rule of law are under unprecedented attack. In recent years, courts and individual judges have faced campaigns of intimidation from those, including public officials, who believe the 2020 election was "stolen," that the Department of Justice and state courts have been "weaponized" against political adversaries, and that the courts and even the Supreme Court itself is "illegitimate." These baseless attacks have led to threats of violence as well as actual attacks against judges, their families, and others.
In addition, many prominent lawyers played key roles in the subversion of the peaceful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election, leading in some cases to their disbarment and criminal charges. The Society's work in general — and the Statement of Principles in particular — are meant to serve as a counteroffensive against these efforts to undermine our democratic and legal institutions.
The Statement is open for all to sign , and signatories do not have to be attorneys or Society members. Individuals are encouraged to sign in their own capacity, and the Society also welcomes other bar and community organizations to endorse the principles. The Statement will serve as a show of force that there remains an overwhelming number of Americans who stand against authoritarianism and lawlessness, and who are committed to serving as a bulwark in support of America's democracy and rule of law at this critical moment in our history.
Signatories of the Statement can be viewed here and include:
- Dennis Aftergut , Lawyers Defending American Democracy
- Donald Ayer , Former Deputy Attorney General of the United States
- Grant Aldonas , Former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade; Former Chief International Trade Counsel, U.S. Senate Finance Committee
- John Bellinger , Former Senior Associate Counsel to the President and Legal Adviser to the National Security Council; Former Legal Adviser to the Department of State
- Nathan Bergerbest , Former President, California Republican League; Former Executive Committee, California Republican Party
- Phillip Brady , Former Assistant and Staff Secretary to the President; Former Deputy Counsel to the President
- Armeane Choksi , Former Vice President of the World Bank
- Barbara Comstock , Former Congresswoman
- George Conway , Board President, Society for the Rule of Law
- Robert Corn-Revere , Chief Counsel, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
- James Dick , Former Counsel to the President's Intelligence Oversight Board
- Mickey Edwards , Former Congressman
- Timothy Forde , Former Senior Counsel, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Stuart Gerson , Former Acting Attorney General of the United States
- Thomas Griffith , Former Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
- Joseph Grodin , Former Justice, California Supreme Court
- Jack Giraudo , Former Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice
- Seth Hurwitz , Former Counsel to the President's Intelligence Oversight Board
- Peter Keisler , Former Acting Attorney General of the United States
- Khizr Khan , Gold Star Parent and President, Democracy and Constitution Institute
- Robert Kruger , Former Associate Counsel to the President Ronald
- J. Michael Luttig , Former Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Tom Malinowski , Former Congressman
- Michael Merz , Former Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- Alberto Mora , Former General Counsel, Department of the Navy; Former Associate Executive Director for Global Programs, American Bar Association
- Christopher Morris , Board Member, Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law at the University of Pennsylvania
- Gregg Nunziata , Executive Director, Society for the Rule of Law; Former Chief Nominations Council, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
- Trevor Potter , President, Campaign Legal Center
- John Rader , Former Judge, Circuit Court of Warren County, Indiana
- Alan Raul , Former Associate Counsel to the President
- Jonathan C. Rose , Former Special Assistant to the President; Former Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy
- Paul Rosenzweig , Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security
- Andrew Sagor , Office of the Secretary of State (Ret.)
- Timothy Sandefur , Vice President for Legal Affairs, Goldwater Institute
- Robert Shanks , Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel
- Michael Shepherd , Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Former Associate Counsel to the President
- Charlie Sykes , Political Commentator and MSNBC Contributor
- Chris Truax , Legal Advisor, Republicans for the Rule of Law
- Stanley A. Twardy, Jr. , Former U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut
- Joseph E. Turner , Former North Carolina Superior Court Judge
- Michelle Van Cleave , Former Head of U.S. Counterintelligence
- Peter Wallison , Former White House Counsel
- Thomas Wallitsch , Former Judge, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Walter H. White, Jr. , Director, Lawyers Defending American Democracy; Former Wisconsin Commissioner of Securities
- Keith Whittington , Princeton University
- Margaret Workman , Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Everyone is invited to sign this Statement by clicking here . We also encourage any organizations, including but not limited to bar groups, to make the Statement their own by also signing a version available here.
To be connected with leadership from the Society for the Rule of Law to discuss the Statement of Principles, and the broader issue of threats against the rule of law, please contact Tony Franquiz at [email protected] .
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Let's give some support for these leading conservatives who now see all their efforts have failed to tame a monster like Donald. And now they want to help staunch the legal 'bleeding' out of truth and integrity that is being delineated in our highest courts today!
Any help is appreciated.
It sure is. Better late than on the other side causing all matters of hell for the cause of extreme conservative reactionaries. Maybe the moderate and ousted conservatives want their party 'digs' back in 2025! I surely hope so! We can use their sincere help!
Principles in support of the rule of law? What they really mean is: “Principles in support of the rule of law as we interpret it.”
Look no further than recent left wing reactions to SCOTUS rulings for the lip service being offered to their statement.
These people are conservatives ALARMED by the actions and plans (Project 2025) for this country that are undemocratic. If they are stepping out of line as "You" see it, perhaps it is because they respect and accept that one reality (or alternative reality) can no longer be used to shackle millions of citizens out of life, liberty, prosperity, and importantly, a proper expectation of protections under the Rule of Law!
Come on, CB. You know that anyone that doesn't toe the alt+right populist line isn't really a conservative anymore. They are branded leftist and kicked out of the clubhouse. No one is going to see a 1000 people as much more than a drip in the ocean anyway. It's a good first teeny tiny step in the right direction to stand up to the creeping authoritarianism that's taken over the GoP. We'll might need a lot more to stand up before this is over.
They are votes 'pledged' in the right direction too. Donald won't get them !
Nah, to quote a hero of left, “elections have consequences.”
Time to put on the big boy pants and suck it up, all buttercups.
Bullshit.
Donald won't get their votes. I am pretty sure that is what they mean by their principled position.
Ah, another signed letter!
Here is a question: How do we "Accept the legitimacy, respect the authority, and abide by the decisions and judgments of the federal courts" when they are often in conflict?
How and when did this conflict begin?
Left wing activist special interest group that takes millions in dark money from Soros aligned groups attacks Supreme Court.
dog bites man story.
Well, the conservatives are starting to 'bite' back. It begins with their votes against your 'collective' viewpoint in the next election. Rule of Law vs. Lawlessness.
The SCOTUS needs to be politically attacked, in my opinion. 6 conservative JERKS conspiring against order by defending chaos! Screw them.
George Soros and progressive special interest groups are not conservatives.
Er' George Soros's name is not on the list. You might be off-topic. Because the point is not who is backing this (even if your alleged statement is true), but what the list represents. Do get back on topic.
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Statement of Principles to Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and American Democracy
Whereas America is a “nation of laws, not of men.”
Whereas the Constitution of the United States and the rule of law provide for and guarantee that “we the people” possess and shall exercise the powers of self-government through the free and fair elections of our representatives.
Whereas citizens of the United States of America have a duty to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the rule of law.
Whereas the Constitution’s separation of powers provides that the Congress, the Executive, and the Judiciary each serves as a check and balance on the other two branches of government.
Whereas the independence of the Supreme Court and the Federal Judiciary is essential to constitutional government and the rule of law.
Whereas our government shall uphold the ideals of equality under the law and equal justice for all.
Be It Resolved that American citizens have a duty:
To accept the legitimacy, respect the authority, and abide by the decisions and judgments of the federal courts interpreting the Constitution and laws of the United States.
To respect the rule of law by honoring the truth and speaking against untruths that undermine respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the courts of the United States.
To oppose any and all efforts by false accusation, threat, or similarly to undermine respect for the federal courts and the individual justices and judges who serve on the courts of the United States.
To support and defend the fundamental American principle that no person is above, beneath, or beyond the law.
To respect, support, and defend the constitutional rights of all Americans.
To accept, honor, and respect the results of elections by the American people.
To respect, support, and insist upon the peaceful transfer of power upon which our constitutional republic is premised and depends.
To respect, support, and defend the right of aggrieved candidates to invoke the judicial process to challenge the results of elections and the corresponding obligation of such candidates to respect the resulting decisions of the courts of law.
To hold government officials, political leaders, candidates for high office, and leaders of the political parties responsible and accountable for the preservation, protection, and defense of the Constitution and the rule of law, and for adherence to the constitutional principles of America’s great experiment in democracy and constitutional self-government.
To affirm and reaffirm that the duty and responsibility of government and governmental officials is to the Constitution, the rule of law, and to the American people, and that it is the duty and responsibility of all public officials to serve all citizens, irrespective of their political party or other affiliation, association, or identity.
To honor America by preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution of the United States, the rule of law, and America’s democracy