Faith in Constitution

For nearly 240 years, the words written in the U.S. Constitution have guided this nation—not because they possess inherent power of enforcement, but because we, the people, and our leaders have chosen to honor them. The Constitution is not just a document; it is an agreement, a promise that we will abide by a system of laws that transcends any individual or administration. Without this shared faith in its authority, the Constitution is nothing more than ink on parchment.

That faith is now being tested like never before.

The Executive Branch Defies the Judiciary

We are witnessing something dangerous and unprecedented: an open refusal by the executive branch to recognize the authority of the judiciary.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act to justify the mass deportation of Venezuelan nationals. The ruling was clear—any flights carrying individuals subject to the executive order must return to the U.S.

But Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) refused to comply. Instead of answering the judge’s direct questions about deportation flights already in the air, the DOJ declared that it had no obligation to obey the court order. In a subsequent filing, they claimed that once a flight had left U.S. airspace, it was beyond the court’s authority—even though the order was issued before the planes landed. They went further, arguing that a prior oral instruction from the judge was “not enforceable” because it had not been put in writing.

This is not a minor bureaucratic dispute. This is the executive branch asserting, in no uncertain terms, that it will only obey the courts when it chooses to do so.

Judge Boasberg has now issued a new order demanding that the administration provide full details about these flights. But the DOJ has already signaled it will continue to defy him. Trump himself has called for Boasberg’s impeachment, making it clear that any judge who does not conform to his wishes will be targeted for removal. If the courts can be ignored without consequence, they become meaningless—mere decorations in a government that no longer respects the rule of law.

What could destroy a republic?

A government is only as strong as its leaders’ willingness to abide by its laws. The U.S. Constitution created a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch could operate without oversight. But what happens when a president decides that the courts no longer matter? What happens when the executive branch simply disregards the judiciary’s rulings?

History offers a sobering precedent. The Roman Republic once had a functioning Senate, a judiciary, and a system of laws designed to check the power of its leaders. But when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon, defied Senate authority, and seized power, the Republic collapsed. The Senate still existed, but it no longer held real influence. It became a hollow institution, a relic of a bygone system of government that had been replaced by autocratic rule.

So, are we witnessing the first steps toward a similar fate? If the executive branch decides that it no longer answers to the courts, what stops it from deciding that Congress, too, is inconsequential? This is particularly concerning given Congress’s tacit compliance with Trump’s ambitions.

The dollar, too, is built on faith

This crisis extends beyond politics. It threatens the foundation of our economy.

Like our Constitution, the U.S. dollar is built on faith. It is a fiat currency, meaning it has no intrinsic value—no gold or silver backing it—only the trust that the government will honor its obligations. The phrase “full faith and credit of the United States” is more than just words; it is the foundation of global confidence in the American economy.

But what happens when that faith is shattered? If the rule of law is no longer respected, if the government is seen as unstable or unpredictable, global markets will react. Investors will begin to question whether the United States can be relied upon to honor its commitments. The value of the dollar will plummet. The cost of borrowing will skyrocket. Hardworking Americans will feel the consequences in the form of inflation, job losses, and economic chaos.

Faith in the Constitution and faith in the economy are intertwined. If one falls, the other is not far behind.

We the People take a stand

This is not a problem Congress will solve for us.

We have seen time and time again that Congress lacks the will to stand up to Trump’s authoritarian ambitions. While Republican lawmakers once claimed to care about the Constitution and the sanctity of the rule of law, most now remain silent in the face of executive defiance. Their inaction is a tacit endorsement of this creeping authoritarianism.

Even among Democrats, there are too many who, while not actively enabling Trump’s power grabs, have been insufficiently aggressive in pushing back.

That means it is up to us—the people—to act.

• We must flood the phone lines of our legislators.

• We must write letters to the editor.

• We must take to the streets in protest.

• We must push back against those who would erode our institutions and diminish our democracy.

And perhaps most importantly, we must ensure that our future leaders respect the Constitution—not just in words, but in deeds.

If we do nothing, we will wake up one day to find that our republic is gone. But if we act now, we can still preserve it.

Faith in the Constitution is not passive. It requires action. It demands engagement. The future of our democracy depends on whether we are willing to stand up and defend it.

History is our witness, and it will judge us on what we did during this desperate hour for our nation. Generations before us fought for freedom. Now, it is our turn.

This is our time. This is our fight.