Anaya Nolan
When the government breaks the law, it sets a dangerous precedent. If lawbreakers go unpunished, it gives others in government a basis to do the same, trampling on human liberty and making those in power into tyrants. This is especially true when it comes to police brutality and other official violations of rights, as individuals seeking legal redress have to navigate a confusing maze of obstacles to justice. In the US, this attitude goes back to the weeks after 9/11 when then-President George W. Bush began his systematic shredding of the Constitution by unleashing federal agencies to spy on all Americans without warrants and the CIA to torture foreign persons in order to gain information about so-called threats to the nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Government breaking its own laws | Obstruction of justice |
| --- | --- |
| --- | Violation of the Constitution and federal criminal law |
| --- | Violation of societal norms |
| --- | Surveillance for national security purposes |
| --- | Prosecution for national security purposes |
| --- | Police brutality |
| --- | Official violations of people's rights |
| --- | Assault |
| --- | Aggravated assault |
| --- | Murder |
| --- | Manslaughter |
| --- | Violations of civil rights by government agents |
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What You'll Learn
Obstruction of justice
When the government breaks the law, it sets a precedent for others in government to do the same. Police officers, prosecutors, and other government officials often get away with breaking the law. Obstruction of justice is a serious issue that can involve crimes committed by judges, prosecutors, attorneys general, and elected officials. It is defined as any "interference with the orderly administration of law and justice". This can include witness tampering, jury tampering, destruction of evidence, assault on a process server, theft of court records, and retaliation against witnesses or victims. Obstruction of justice can also involve influencing or injuring an officer or juror, obstructing court orders, criminal investigations, or state or local law enforcement. In the United States, obstruction of justice is primarily defined in Chapter 73 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
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The government breaking its own laws
When the government breaks its own laws, it sets a precedent for others in government to do the same. This can lead to a culture where law enforcement no longer feels bound by the Constitution, federal laws, or societal norms, particularly when it comes to national security.
In the United States, there is a perception that government officials are not held accountable for breaking the law in the same way that ordinary citizens are. This is due in part to the challenges individuals face when seeking legal redress for police brutality and other official violations of their rights. While there are laws against police misconduct, charges and convictions of police officers are rare, even in cases of homicide.
This issue is not unique to the United States. In 2021, Judge Andrew P. Napolitano wrote about a case in which the government broke its own laws, referring to a plot to kidnap the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.
When the government breaks its own laws, it undermines the rule of law and can lead to a breakdown of trust in government institutions.
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Police brutality
When the government breaks the law, it sets a precedent for others in government to do the same. This can lead to a trampling of human liberty and the rise of tyrants.
Assault, aggravated assault, murder, and manslaughter are crimes under state law, and violations of civil rights by government agents are federal felonies. However, the culture of law enforcement is such that they feel free to break the laws they enforce in the name of preserving national security. This attitude can be traced back to the weeks after 9/11 when then-President George W. Bush unleashed federal agencies to spy on Americans without warrants and allowed the CIA to torture foreign persons to gain information about so-called threats to the nation.
The lack of accountability for police brutality and other official violations of rights sends a message that those in power are above the law and can act with impunity. This undermines the very fabric of a just and equitable society, where all citizens are supposed to be equal before the law.
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Federal law enforcement
However, charges and convictions of police officers are extremely rare, even in cases of homicide. This is because individuals seeking legal redress for police brutality and other official violations of their rights have to navigate through a confusing maze of obstacles to justice.
The government breaking its own laws sets a dangerous precedent, allowing others in government to do the same. This can lead to a culture of impunity within federal law enforcement, where they believe they need not abide by the Constitution, federal laws, or societal norms when engaging in prosecutions or surveillance for national security purposes.
For example, in the weeks after 9/11, then-President George W. Bush unleashed federal agencies to spy on all Americans without warrants and the CIA to torture foreign persons to gain information about so-called threats to the nation. This systematic shredding of the Constitution by the government sets a precedent that can be used to justify further violations of civil liberties and human rights.
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National security
When police officers, prosecutors, and other government officials break the law, they often face few consequences. This is due in part to the obstacles that individuals seeking legal redress must navigate. Many acts of misconduct by law enforcement are crimes, including assault, aggravated assault, murder, and manslaughter. However, charges and convictions of police officers are extremely rare, even in cases of homicide.
The government's failure to hold its own officials accountable sends a message that breaking the law is acceptable as long as it is done in the name of national security. This undermines the rule of law and erodes trust in the government and its institutions.
It is essential that the government upholds the laws it has sworn to protect, even when it comes to matters of national security. This includes holding its own officials accountable for their actions and ensuring that justice is served fairly and impartially. Only by doing so can the government maintain the trust and confidence of its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
When the government breaks the law, it sets a dangerous precedent for others in government to follow suit. This can lead to a culture of impunity and a breakdown of the rule of law.
When the government breaks the law, it often violates people's rights. This can include civil rights violations, which are federal felonies.
Unfortunately, government officials who break the law often get away with it. This is due to a complex legal system that makes it difficult for individuals to seek justice.
Yes, the government has historically broken the law in the name of national security. This includes engaging in warrantless surveillance and using torture to gain information about perceived threats.
Government officials can commit a range of crimes, including assault, aggravated assault, murder, and manslaughter. These acts of misconduct are crimes under state law.
