Dean McGeveran and Profs. Boni-Saenz, Chomsky, and Moriearty Join More than 500 Leaders of the Bar in a Joint Statement in Support of the Rule of Law

March 5, 2025

In late February, law school deans, faculty, and former judges from around the country signed on to a joint statement in support of the rule of law in response to growing concern over the Trump administration's executive orders and comments that the President of the United States is not required to comply with court orders.

Dean William McGeveran, William S. Pattee Professor of Law; Professor Alexandar Boni-Saenz, Robins Kaplan Distinguished Scholar; Professor Emerita Carol Chomsky; and Professor Perry Moriearty have signed on to the letter.

The letter calls on President Trump and the executive branch to abide by court orders and urges Congress to "play its role by checking abuses of presidential power... [and asks] that the courts play their fundamental role in enforcing the Constitution of the United States."

An excerpt from the letter states:

We write as members of the bar—as law school deans, law professors, law firm partners, former judges, and others charged with the administration of the law—who believe deeply in the rule of law and the crucial role that it plays in safeguarding our democracy. During the first weeks of the administration of President Trump, there have been a myriad of executive orders. Some are clearly lawful; some are of questionable legality; and some are undoubtedly unconstitutional. Our focus, though, is not on the desirability or even the legality of these orders. Rather, we write to emphasize that it is the role of the federal courts to decide the legality of a government action and to affirm that all government officials, including the President, must obey judicial decisions. Presidents from the early days of our Republic have pushed the boundaries of their authority. But virtually without exception, presidents have abided by court orders, even ones with which they strongly disagree ... Chief Justice John Marshall famously stated in Marbury v. Madison (1803) that it “is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.” More recently, Chief Justice John Roberts explained: 'Our political system and economic strength depend on the rule of law. The rule of law depends, in turn, on Article III of the Constitution and judges and justices appointed and confirmed under it ......... [V]iolence, intimidation, and defiance directed at judges because of their work undermine our Republic, and are wholly unacceptable.' This administration’s suggestion that 'judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.' is fundamentally incorrect.

Statement of Leaders of the Bar in Support of the Rule of Law

Read the full text of the letter on Above the Law