Heidi Li Feldman
More from the American Bar Association, condemning the Trump regime and urging all lawyers to stand up against it. This is extraordinary. There is too much text for me to put in alt-text, some quotes follow. 1/ (complete statement online at https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2025/02/aba-supports-the-rule-of-law/)
Feb 11, 2025 at 5:55amIvory for iOS
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanFeb 11, 2025
Trump’s “actions have forced affected parties to seek relief in the courts, which stand as a bulwark against these violations. We support our courts who are treating these cases with the urgency they require. Americans know there is a right way and a wrong way to proceed. What is being done is not the right way to pursue the change that is sought in our system of government.” 2/
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanFeb 11, 2025
“The goals of eliminating departments and entire functions do not justify the means when the means are not in accordance with the law. Americans expect better. Even among those who want change, no one wants their neighbor or their family to be treated this way.” 3/
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanFeb 11, 2025
“These actions have real-world consequences. [Recent] employees fear they will lose their jobs because of some matter they were assigned to in the Justice Department or some training they attended in their agency. USAID employees assigned to build programs that benefit foreign countries are being doxed, harassed with name-calling and receiving conflicting information about their employment status. These stories should concern all Americans bc they are our family members, neighbors, friends.” 4/
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanFeb 11, 2025
“No American can be proud of a government that carries out change in this way. Neither can these actions be rationalized by discussion of past grievances or appeals to efficiency.
Everything can be more efficient, but adherence to the rule of law is paramount. We must be cognizant of the harm being done by these methods.” 5/
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanFeb 11, 2025
“[R]efusing to spend money appropriated by Congress under the euphemism of a pause is a violation of the rule of law and suggests that the executive branch can overrule the other two co-equal branches of government. This is contrary to the constitutional framework and not the way our democracy works.” 6/
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanFeb 11, 2025
“The money appropriated by Congress must be spent in accordance with what Congress has said. It cannot be changed or paused because a newly elected administration desires it. Our elected representatives know this. The lawyers of this country know this. It must stop.” 7/
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanFeb 11, 2025
“We call upon our elected representatives to stand with us and to insist upon adherence to the rule of law and the legal processes and procedures that ensure orderly change. The administration cannot choose which law it will follow or ignore. These are not partisan or political issues. These are rule of law and process issues. We cannot afford to remain silent. We must stand up for the values we hold dear. The ABA will do its part and act to protect the rule of law.” 8/
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanFeb 11, 2025
“We urge every attorney to join us and insist that our government, a government of the people, follow the law. It is part of the oath we took when we became lawyers. Whatever your political party or your views, change must be made in the right way. Americans expect no less.” 8/8
Show threadLawrenceFeb 11, 2025
@heidilifeldman True but the people who are doing this are the lowest of low life. And the sad part of it is, millions of Americans voted for the convicted felon who is instigating all of the illegal acts taking place. Along with his consigliere,. the muskrat.
Show threadMaria ShanleFeb 11, 2025
@heidilifeldman wow! Good statement 💪
Show threadAzureArmageddonFeb 11, 2025
@heidilifeldman Can a justice be disbarred for disregard to rule of law? Or failing that any law practicioner for the same?
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanFeb 11, 2025
@AzureArmageddon Any member of a bar can be disbarred.
Show threadf*cking b*tch clubFeb 11, 2025

@heidilifeldman @AzureArmageddon I’m glad the ABA wrote this letter, but in the past they’ve also chosen to close ranks when it suits them.

When Bill Barr was running amok as AG, there were calls for him to be disbarred.

I wrote a letter * saying as much, but got a reply saying “you don’t have standing”—as though being a citizen of the US isn’t affected by the laws of the US.

*I’d have to look it up, but I think I wrote to the DC bar

Show threadBrokarFeb 11, 2025

@heidilifeldman Where were they when Giuliani and cohorts roamed the realm bloating false claims for years? Or Roe v. Wade was overturned by a biased SCOTUS?

I mean, Giuliani got the boot finally but what about the rest? Shouldn't they provide some oversight over the profession in general?