Senator Shelley Mayer
Today, State Senator Shelley B. Mayer (SD–37) and 34 State Senate colleagues issued a joint statement condemning the federal Administration’s failure to follow the rule of law, the constitutional requirements of separation of powers, and the fundamental tenets of due process. The Senators decry the Administration’s violation of laws and norms, including the wholesale attack on lawyers and judges who have filed lawsuits or ruled against the President; the chaotic and illegal dismantling of essential federal programs and services; and the attack on immigrants, including those here lawfully. The impact of these decisions has and will fall heavily on New Yorkers and the State of New York.
New York is home to the American Civil Liberties Union, the Anti-Defamation League, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and many more organizations designed to defend the rights outlined in the United States Constitution and to uphold the principles of equality and liberty. New York is also home to many institutions under attack by the Trump administration, including universities, law firms, and the federal courts. With this statement, the signatories join their fellow state legislators around the country in pushing back on the President’s failures to fulfill his primary obligations and his attempt to eviscerate the rule of law.
According to the statement, “The framers of our Constitution wisely provided for three separate branches of government, the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary, with separation of powers among them, so that no one branch controls or dominates the others. Congress holds the power of the purse and drafts our nation’s laws; the President is charged with ensuring that those laws are ‘faithfully executed;’ and the Judiciary has the somber responsibility to interpret those laws and review their application, and to strike down those that violate the Constitution. For all our nation’s challenges, adherence to these principles has been the guiding light of presidential administrations of both parties. Until now.”
“We, the undersigned members of the New York State Senate, write to decry the failure of the current federal administration to respect the rule of law, the constitutional requirements of separation of powers, and the tenets of due process,” said the Senators. “We cannot stand by silently while our nation’s commitments to a system of laws, due process, justice and constitutional principles are torn asunder.”
“The administration continues to undermine and attack members of the judiciary and the bar for engaging in the thoughtful and rigorous practice of their profession,” the Senators continued. “We join the New York State Bar Association, the New York City Bar Association, and many others around the country, in strongly condemning the President’s threats to retaliate and seek sanctions against lawyers and law firms that file lawsuits against the U.S. government –– or against those that have done legal work in the past that ran counter to the President’s personal or political self-interest –– and his calls for the impeachment of judges who rule against the administration.”
“As a state proud of welcoming new Americans, where the Statue of Liberty stands in our harbor, we are particularly outraged by the actions of this administration towards immigrants in all of our communities, as well as students and other visitors to our country. We have seen our neighborhoods riven by fear, while lawful permanent residents, immigrant and student visa holders, and tourists alike have been detained or imprisoned without charges and deported, many without even a pretense of due process. We are proud to be a nation of immigrants, guided by enacted laws and due process. These are not optional, but essential parts of the promise of America,” said the Senators.
The statement, led by State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, was also signed by Senators Jamaal Bailey (SD–36), April Baskin (SD–63), Jabari Brisport (SD–25), Samra G. Brouk (SD–55), Siela Bynoe (SD–6), Cordell Cleare (SD–30), Leory Comrie (SD–14), Jeremy Cooney (SD–56), Patricia Fahy (SD–46), Nathalia Fernandez (SD–34), Michael Gianaris (SD–12), Kristen Gonzalez (SD–59), Andrew Gounardes (SD–26), Pete Harckham (SD–40), Michelle Hinchey (SD–41), Brad Hoylman-Sigal (SD–47), Robert Jackson (SD–31), Brian Kavanagh (SD–27), Liz Krueger (SD–28), John C. Liu (SD–16), Rachel May (SD–48), Zellnor Myrie (SD–20), Kevin Parker (SD–21), Roxanne Persaud (SD–19), Jessica Ramos (SD–13), Gustavo Rivera (SD–33), Sean M. Ryan (SD–61), Julia Salazar (SD–18), James Sanders, Jr. (SD–10), Luis R. Sepulveda (SD–32), José M. Serrano (SD–29), James Skoufis (SD–42), Toby Ann Stavisky (SD–11), and Senator Lea Webb (SD–52).
Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am proud to stand with many of my colleagues against the disturbing abuse of power by the Trump administration and the threats it poses to our democracy. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation, we must staunchly defend the fundamental principles established by our founding fathers that have allowed our democracy to flourish for hundreds of years. The decisions being made by this administration are not only detrimental to our current state but also jeopardize the future of our country and democratic values. I am grateful to my colleagues who have joined me in this effort and to all those who are upholding our constitutional duty to serve the people who have trusted us to represent them.”
“As we witness continued attacks on the rule of law, judicial independence, and the foundational principles of our democracy, we cannot stand idly by,” said Senator Jamaal T. Bailey. “The separation of powers, due process, and the fair administration of justice are not optional ideals—they are the bedrock of our nation and the integrity of our democracy is at stake. We stand united in condemning these dangerous actions, reaffirming our commitment to justice, and ensuring that the rights and freedoms of all New Yorkers—and all Americans—are fiercely protected.”
“The Administration’s power grab smacks of the autocratic regimes we have seen throughout history. To the average person, it means a decreasing say over their own life, their financial security, their safety, the future of their family and the health of the environment. The Constitution is there to protect Americans from the concentration of power into the hands of a few, eager to enrich themselves by undermining our Democracy,” said Senator Pete Harckham.
