1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding a reported provision in the President’s proposed legislation — often referred to as the “Big Bill” — which would prevent the judicial branch from holding individuals, including the president, in contempt of court. This provision is deeply troubling and represents a direct threat to the foundational principles of our constitutional democracy. The contempt power is not a political tool; it is a necessary mechanism by which courts maintain their authority and ensure the enforcement of lawful orders. Stripping the judiciary of its ability to hold anyone — especially those in positions of great power — accountable for defying court rulings undermines the rule of law and dangerously disrupts the balance of powers established by the Constitution. This provision would effectively place the president and others above the law, making the judicial branch toothless in the face of executive defiance. It would invite authoritarian behavior by signaling that lawful court orders can be ignored without consequence. Such a precedent would not only damage the legitimacy of our courts but also erode public trust in a justice system that is supposed to apply equally to all. The separation of powers is one of the most important safeguards of our liberty. No branch of government should be able to operate without checks and accountability — especially the executive. Preventing courts from enforcing their orders would shift that balance toward autocracy and make it nearly impossible to uphold laws when the most powerful choose to ignore them. I urge all lawmakers, legal experts, and concerned citizens to reject this proposal in the strongest terms. Upholding the integrity and independence of our judicial system is not a partisan issue — it is an American imperative.