1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

Congress must enact real legal limits on DHS now I urge Congress to reassert the rule of law over the Department of Homeland Security through binding legislation. This is more important than hearings, statements, or political theater. Personnel changes alone are not sufficient. What matters is whether federal law meaningfully constrains DHS conduct, regardless of who leads the agency. Congress has both the authority and the responsibility to impose clear legal limits, enforceable in court, with real consequences for violations. I urge you to introduce and pass legislation that includes the following five reforms: 1) Automatic Trial for Fatal Force: When a federal agent causes the death of a U.S. citizen, it must trigger an independent investigation and criminal trial. Lethal force by the federal government must never be exempt from judicial review. 2) Criminal Liability for Illegal Orders: Senior officials who issue, authorize, or knowingly enforce unlawful orders that violate constitutional rights must face criminal prosecution. “Following orders” cannot shield illegal conduct. 3) Criminal Penalties for Civil Rights Violations: Any DHS official who knowingly violates constitutional or statutory civil rights must face explicit criminal penalties under federal law, not just internal discipline. 4) Limits on Domestic DHS Deployments: DHS must be prohibited from domestic law-enforcement deployments without explicit congressional authorization or formal consent from affected states. Federal agencies must not unilaterally operate as domestic paramilitary forces. 5) Citizen Right to Sue DHS: Congress must create a clear private right of action allowing individuals to sue DHS and its officials directly for constitutional violations, including damages and injunctive relief. These reforms are not partisan. They are structural. They protect democracy regardless of who holds power next. I ask you to publicly support and legislate these measures. Anything less leaves the rule of law vulnerable to abuse. Signed, A constituent committed to constitutional governance