1. United States
2. Letter

The actions of President Trump and his administration in defying the Supreme Court's clear order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador to the United States are an unprecedented threat to the rule of law and the balance of powers. By willfully mischaracterizing the Court's ruling and refusing to provide basic information or take any steps to comply, the Executive Branch has placed itself in open defiance of the Judicial Branch. This blatant disregard for the authority of the federal courts strikes at the very foundation of our constitutional system of checks and balances. If allowed to stand, the President's position that the courts lack any power to compel action related to foreign affairs would effectively nullify judicial review over a vast swath of Executive actions. This radical view of unbounded presidential authority is antithetical to our nation's principles and cannot be accepted. The Court must decisively rebuke this constitutionally dangerous path by promptly exercising its considerable authority to enforce its ruling and reassert the preeminence of the law. Failure to do so would represent an irreversible abdication of the Court's vital role as a co-equal branch of government. Given the gravity of the situation, holding administration officials in contempt for non-compliance appears a necessary and justified initial response. More stringent measures may unfortunately become warranted should defiance persist. The integrity of the American system of constitutional democracy is at stake. Firm action to uphold the Court's legitimacy, affirm the separation of powers, and compel the President's compliance is imperative to avoid a catastrophic institutional crisis.