ACS Celebrates the Legacy of Justice John Paul Stevens

Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens passed away yesterday at the age of 99. Below is a statement from ACS President Caroline Fredrickson.

“Justice Stevens was an incredibly decent human being and a thoughtful jurist who was willing to stand up for the Constitution when the political branches overreached. He fiercely guarded the separation of powers and checks and balances of government. His majority opinion in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld was a powerful rejection of a view of the presidency as all-powerful.  In a simple but resonant sentence, he concluded, ‘The Executive is bound to comply with the Rule of Law that prevails…’”

“He understood that the Constitution and our laws are designed to advance democracy, equality, and the rule of law for all, including those not previously included as ‘the People’ under the Constitution.  Today, ACS celebrates his legacy.”