1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Congress must stand firm against the president's unconstitutional executive orders that violate fundamental rights and principles enshrined in the Constitution. The recent order attempting to end birthright citizenship flies in the face of the 14th Amendment, which unambiguously guarantees citizenship to all persons born in the United States. A federal judge has already blocked this patently unconstitutional action. Furthermore, the mass pardons granted to the January 6th insurrectionists represent a disturbing assault on the rule of law and accountability. Those who violently attacked law enforcement in an attempt to overturn a free and fair election must face consequences for their actions, not be rewarded with pardons. Condoning this criminal behavior sends a dangerous message and undermines faith in democratic institutions. While the president wields significant executive powers, those powers are not unlimited. Congress has a duty to assert its constitutional authority as a co-equal branch of government and serve as a check on executive overreach. The president's contempt for restraints on his authority and the will of the people cannot go unchallenged. Robust congressional oversight and legislative actions are needed to rein in these harmful executive orders that undermine core American values and democratic norms. The long-term implications of allowing such abuses of power would be catastrophic for the nation.