By BJ Kohlstedt
Finland, Lake County, MN
February 24, 2025.
As the former Emergency Management Director of a Minnesota county, I served the public by collaboratively responding to emergencies, crises, and disasters. Today, I believe we are in a crisis (“a time of intense danger”) which demands an immediate collaborative response.
Depending on your opinion, the actions of our current duly elected US President may or may not be considered a political crisis. However, it is without a doubt a civic (“pertaining to the rights and duties of citizens”) crisis. This is not about his politics; it’s about his practice.
Our President took an oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States” including (Article II, Section 3) which states that “He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” In his first 30 days, this President has both defied our Constitution (14th Amendment, by Executive Order to deny birthright citizenship), and our laws (multiple, including his efforts to fire Independent Agency heads). An Executive Order does not take effect if it is struck down by the Courts as unconstitutional. In other words, “Just saying it doesn’t make it so.”
“We the People” may have elected the President, but by defying the Constitution and our laws, he is not acting in that capacity. Using “overwhelming surprise” by acting simultaneously in multiple directions too fast for others to respond (sometimes known as “shock and awe,” or “blitzkrieg”) may be a good strategy in times of war to achieve victory, but it is not the best way in times of peace to preserve a democracy of, for, and by the people. This is why our Constitution includes the checks and balances of three equal branches of government to prevent any one branch of government (or any one person) from becoming too powerful.
Our elected members of Congress also take the oath to “defend the Constitution” and “faithfully perform the duties of the office.” They must now display the moral courage to do their jobs, as did Senator Margaret Chase Smith (the first member of Congress to condemn the anti-communist witch hunt of Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1950) who declared “It is high time that we stopped thinking politically as Republicans and Democrats and started thinking patriotically as Americans.”
“We the People,” as citizens, must each do the same. We have a civic duty and moral obligation not to succumb to fear, complacency, frustration or threats, but to defend the rule of law. Among other actions, one can call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121, and tell them where you live, to be connected to your Representatives.
“Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Benjamin Franklin was asked at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
“A republic, if you can keep it,” he said.
