1. United States
2. R.I.
3. Letter

I write as a Rhode Island resident to respectfully ask that you use the authority of your office to defend the constitutional principles of separation of powers and federalism in response to Executive Order 14399 if, after careful legal review, you determine that it exceeds the authority granted to the Executive Branch or conflicts with federal law. This request is not about political parties or election outcomes. It is about preserving the constitutional framework that protects every American regardless of ideology. Our Constitution intentionally divides governmental power among three coequal branches. Congress writes the laws, the Executive faithfully executes those laws, and the Judiciary resolves constitutional disputes. This separation is fundamental to preventing the concentration of power and ensuring democratic accountability. As Governor, you possess important leadership responsibilities even though you cannot directly alter federal executive actions. I respectfully ask you to: Publicly affirm Rhode Island’s commitment to the constitutional separation of powers and the rule of law. Encourage Rhode Island’s congressional delegation to exercise Congress’s full Article I authority through legislation, appropriations, oversight, statutory clarification, and other lawful means when executive actions exceed congressional authorization. Work with the Rhode Island Attorney General to evaluate whether federal actions affecting Rhode Island warrant participation in, or support for, appropriate legal challenges. Coordinate with other governors and state leaders in defending the constitutional balance between federal and state governments. Support transparent communication with Rhode Islanders regarding how federal executive actions may affect our state’s election administration, public institutions, and citizens. James Madison warned in Federalist No. 51 that liberty depends upon each branch possessing both the constitutional means and the institutional courage to resist encroachments by the others. That principle remains just as important today as it was at our nation’s founding. Rhode Island has long played a meaningful role in defending constitutional government and individual liberty. I hope our state will continue that tradition by standing firmly for the rule of law, regardless of which political party controls the federal government. The preservation of constitutional government is not a partisan objective. It is a civic responsibility shared by every public official who has sworn an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Rhode Island. Thank you for your leadership, your service to the people of Rhode Island, and your commitment to protecting the constitutional principles upon which our Republic depends.