Upholding the Rule of Law – By Muhammad U. Faridi, President, New York City Bar Association
I write to underscore our unwavering commitment to the New York City Bar Association’s mission, including the promise to “uphold the rule of law and access to justice in support of a fair society and the public interest in our community, our nation, and throughout the world.” Our organization was founded in 1870 in large part to counter threats to the rule of law, and today we continue to hold that responsibility with the utmost seriousness.
In recent days, the executive branch has taken certain actions that threaten the foundational principles of our democracy. They include violations of the Inspector General Act in the firing of inspectors general across the federal government, the planned misuse of the nation’s military to carry out immigration deportations in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, and threats to deny citizenship to individuals born in the United States in violation of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. While the President certainly has the prerogative to implement policy through lawful acts of the executive branch, the integrity of our democratic institutions, adherence to constitutional principles, and the rule of law must be protected. As an organization dedicated to justice and the legal profession, we have and will continue to use our platform to voice our opposition to such threats to the rule of law and to call for action when necessary.
It is also our mission “to equip and mobilize a diverse legal profession to practice with excellence.” We are proud of our pipeline, career-development, and other programs that enable highly qualified individuals of all backgrounds to compete on a level playing field. While monitoring developments, dialogue, and the law surrounding diversity and inclusion, we remain committed to pursuing our mission.
While we will continue, as we have done throughout our history, to support and uphold the law, the Constitution, and our democratic institutions, it is important to acknowledge that we cannot respond to every single action or statement by government officials or agencies. There are other outstanding organizations with expertise in specific areas that may be better positioned to address certain issues. However, where we can lend our voice or advocacy to make a meaningful impact, we will not hesitate to do so.
It is also critical to recognize that the responsibility to defend the rule of law and promote an inclusive legal community is shared by all members of the legal profession. As lawyers, we are uniquely positioned to safeguard democratic values, uphold constitutional principles, strive for a profession that welcomes, values, and nurtures all of its diverse members, and to ensure that government actions remain subject to legal and ethical scrutiny. We must all live up to that responsibility.
To further our efforts, we will be launching a dedicated page on our website, “the Rule of Law Facts and Resource Center,” where we will share updates on the specific actions we are taking and provide resources for those who wish to get involved. We encourage all members of the legal community and the public at large to use these tools, stay informed, and take action where they can.
At this pivotal moment, we reaffirm our commitment to defending the rule of law and protecting the integrity of our profession and democracy. The New York City Bar Association stands ready to speak out, to act, and to mobilize in the face of any threats to these fundamental principles.