In response to Vice President Vance’s remarks on judicial review made on February 9, 2025, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, alongside 16 other state attorneys general, issued a strong joint statement rejecting the Vice President’s comments as “wrong and reckless.” The statement, signed by a coalition of 17 attorneys general, defends the role of the judiciary as a critical check on executive power and emphasizes that judges do not “control” the executive branch, but rather ensure that actions taken by the executive adhere to the law and Constitution.
The statement refers to the landmark Marbury v. Madison decision by Chief Justice John Marshall, which established that “it is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.” The attorneys general pointed out that this principle has been central to the United States’ legal tradition for over two centuries, underscoring the judiciary’s duty to prevent unlawful and unconstitutional actions by the executive.
“We unequivocally reject the Vice President’s attempt to spread this dangerous lie,” the statement reads. “Judges stop the unlawful and unconstitutional exercise of power. No one is above the law, including the executive branch.”
The attorneys general emphasized that the judiciary’s role in enforcing checks and balances is essential to preserving democracy. “Americans understand the principle of checks and balances,” they noted, reaffirming that the judicial branch serves as a vital safeguard against the overreach of the executive and legislative branches.
As part of their response, the coalition highlighted their ongoing efforts to challenge unlawful executive actions in the courts. They have already filed motions in various cases, including those addressing birthright citizenship, the freeze of federal funding, the capping of medical research funds, and the unauthorized release of private Americans’ data. These actions, they argued, have been necessary to protect American citizens and uphold the rule of law.
The statement also pointed to recent successes, where judges granted motions to block unconstitutional actions, issuing temporary restraining orders to protect the public and democracy. The attorneys general reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their legal battles in defense of the Constitution.
This statement was led by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and signed by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
