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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2025
The PRBA Condemns Attacks on Judicial Independence
New York, NY – The Puerto Rican Bar Association of New York (PRBA) expresses deep concern over recent rhetoric by the current Administration that undermine the independence of the judiciary under our system of checks and balances set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Unsurprisingly, these attacks follow judicial decisions that have temporarily blocked certain executive actions, particularly those related to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and follow a long line of unilaterally declared injustices and wrongs that erode public trust in our system of justice.
For instance, representative allies from DOGE have advocated for an immediate wave of judicial impeachments and shamefully characterized Judge Engelmayer as “a corrupt judge protecting corruption” after issuing an injunction preventing DOGE from accessing sensitive Treasury Department systems. Further, a White House representative has inappropriately labeled judicial injunctions blocking Executive Orders as “unlawful” and accused our judiciary of “weaponizing justice” against the President. Such retaliatory, reactionary, and unfounded claims of corruption and threats of impeachment against judges due to unfavorable rulings pose a significant threat to the separation of powers and the principle of judicial review established by the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison— foundations of justice that have been in place since 1803.
In light of these concerns, we reiterate our demand that our public officials from all sides of the political spectrum reaffirm to the public that the judiciary’s role in our democracy is protected and safe from executive branch overreach, and call for the Administration to address disagreements through established legal channels, such as the appeals process, rather than through unfounded impeachment efforts. At this critical juncture, it is imperative to uphold the integrity of our legal institutions and ensure that our judiciary remains free from threats and intimidation.
As always, the PRBA stands resolutely in support of judicial independence and the fair administration of justice.
For media inquiries, please contact our Executive Director at [email protected]
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Founded in 1957, the Puerto Rican Bar Association of New York is dedicated to advocating for the advancement of Puerto Rican and Latino attorneys, promoting equal justice under the law, and addressing legal issues affecting our communities.