Inscription etched on New York County courthouse: A memorial of significance to recall
Expressing the Pillar of a Sound Society: George Washington's Eloquent Reminder
Gotta love Ol' Georgie Washington, my ole law college buddy. Ain't forgot his words from the good ol' days: "The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government." Man, just look at 'em, carved on the stone facade of the NY County courthouse like some commandment.
With all the hoopla going down between the courts and Donald Trump these days (FT View, May 31), it's about time POTUS took a gander at what one of his major idols had to say. The Founding Father warned us, "There is no liberty if the judicial power is not separated from the legislative and the executive." In today's America, the executive and legislative branches seem to be merged in a big ol' blur, so justice is more important than ever.
You could say it ain't just a pillar of a decent government; it's the essential one, preserving liberty and maintaining the balance of powers. Trump's constant jabs at the judiciary, labeling any ruling against his interests as "political" or "corrupt," even by judges he's personally appointed or decisions grounded in Constitutional rights or emergency power limits, highlight why George's words have now become incredibly relevant (cough, cough - "Conservative judiciary wrestles with Trump's need for loyalty", Report, June 3).
Remember when the idea of directly defying the Supreme Court was considered insane? Well, here we are, and it might just happen again. What Trump might not realize, or doesn't want to acknowledge, is that he still faces another, unbeatable judge: the American people.
Western democracies rely on a split of powers and free elections, but in other parts of the world, those principles remain merely aspirations. If a leader wants to push their country towards authoritarian rule, as long as there are judges committed to upholding justice, and a populace that values the rule of law, they're gonna fail.
Pietro Negri, Lawyer, Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
Insights:- George Washington's quote emphasizes the critical role of the administration of justice in ensuring a healthy and effective government.- In today's political climate, Washington's quote holds special significance regarding the independence of the judiciary and the importance of adhering to constitutional rights.- Free elections and a strong legal system are essential elements for a stable and just society, serving as a guard against authoritarian rule.
In light of the current tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary, as reported in articles such as "Conservative judiciary wrestles with Trump's need for loyalty" and "Politics, war-and-conflicts, and policy-and-legislation are heated debates today, but one would do well to remember George Washington's warning about the importance of a separated judicial power in maintaining a balance of powers and preserving liberty. General news underscores that a strong legal system and free elections are crucial to thwarting any attempt at authoritarian rule, even in Western democracies.
