1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a deeply concerned constituent who has watched with growing outrage as you—and many of your Republican colleagues—continue to abdicate your constitutional responsibilities and cede power to a lawless executive. This country was not founded to be ruled by kings. It was built on the principle of checks and balances—three coequal branches of government designed to prevent tyranny. But instead of defending that legacy, you have allowed the occupant of the White House to run roughshod over the rule of law, the courts, and even the Supreme Court. The Constitution does not grant the President the authority to ignore lawful rulings. It does not permit him to kidnap people from our communities and deny them their right to due process. Yet that is exactly what is happening. This administration is unlawfully detaining individuals and defying court orders—behavior that would provoke national outrage if done by any Democratic president. If the roles were reversed, we both know you’d be on every network demanding impeachment. Where is your spine? Where is your oath? You swore to uphold the Constitution—not to defend any one man. The time for cowardice is over. It is your duty to act as a member of a coequal branch of government and demand the executive branch follow the law. Demand the return of those wrongfully taken so they may have their day in court. Speak up. Do your job. History will not remember silence kindly. And neither will your constituents.