HONOLULU, HI – In a bold move aimed at holding President Donald Trump and his administration accountable for actions that have defied the United States Constitution, Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13 – Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown), chair of the Hawaiʻi State Senate Judiciary Committee, has introduced a resolution urging the President and all members of current and future administrations to abide by the laws of the United States, particularly by complying with orders issued by U.S. courts.
SCR 158, Proposed SD1 emphasizes that under Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the President is required to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” and that all citizens, including the President, must follow the nation’s laws. Senator Rhoads called attention to numerous instances when President Trump and his administration openly defied lawful court orders, including those involving the freezing of federal funds, the suspension of refugee admissions, and deportation actions contrary to judicial directives – actions that have adversely impacted Hawaiʻi’s communities.
“The President and his administration must respect the judiciary and abide by the law,” said Senator Rhoads. “Some seem to believe that burning down the federal government will make America a better place. There are plenty of examples of countries without functioning governments and people flee these countries and try to come to the United States.”
The resolution cites remarks from prominent Republican leaders, including U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (MO), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Chuck Grassley (IA), who have also called for adherence to court decisions. Additionally, legal experts and members of the federal judiciary have stressed the importance of compliance with federal court orders, noting that failure to do so endangers the constitutional system of checks and balances.
The proposed resolution is in line with the efforts of Hawai‘i’s Attorney General Anne E. Lopez, who along with other attorneys general across the country have been actively involved in challenging the current administration’s unconstitutional actions through the courts, to uphold the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.
The resolution will be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.