1. United States
2. Letter

The executive branch's open defiance of federal court orders is an alarming attack on the rule of law and separation of powers at the heart of our constitutional system. It is imperative that all three branches of government uphold their oath to defend the Constitution against such authoritarian overreach. The Supreme Court must be prepared to directly address this crisis through cases involving contempt of court and enforcement of judicial rulings. If the Department of Justice abdicates its responsibility to uphold court orders, the Court should consider utilizing Rule 4.1 to appoint special masters or other third parties empowered to carry out its decisions. Permitting the president to unilaterally nullify the judiciary's rulings would fatally undermine our system of checks and balances. Our democracy's survival hinges on the federal government's adherence to the Constitution and respect for co-equal branches of government. Firm action is needed to reassert the fundamental principle that no person, not even the president, is above the law. The consequences of allowing this constitutional crisis to escalate unchecked could permanently destabilize our nation's democratic institutions and norms. Decisive leadership in defense of the judiciary's authority is crucial at this pivotal moment.