Write a reflective response (4-5 sentences each) to each of the three prompts below.
1. In Federalist 78, Hamilton goes to great lengths to point out that the judicial branch was the least powerful branch. First, assess how correct Hamilton ended up being about this. Is the Judiciary the least powerful branch? Second, why do you think Hamilton was so careful to point out his belief that the judicial branch was the weakest?
2. In, “Federal judge blocks Trump’s executive order on denying funding to sanctuary cities,” Eli Rosenberg documents a federal judge’s ruling against a Trump Administration executive order that would divert federal funding from “sanctuary cities.” What themes from Tuesday’s lecture and the reading for this week can you identify in the article? In what ways are the events, actions, and items in the article examples of what we’ve talked and read about regarding the judiciary? Can you think of another example when a federal judge blocked a president’s action?
3. In lecture, and a bit in the text, the idea of balancing the independence and accountability of the Court was discussed. Why are those two ideas crucial to balance in designing the Court? Ultimately, which of those two won? Does the Court lean more towards independence or accountability?
To add your reply, click "add a new discussion topic," type your response to each of the questions, and then make sure to click "post to forum." Then, check out some of your fellow classmate's responses and make sure to reply (as discussed in the syllabus) to at least two of your classmates' responses before 6/25 by 11:59pm.
2. The main theme of the article and our lecture are correlated with the use of checks and balances of our government, as well as how the judicial branch can enforce their power. We see in the article that the judicial branch executed their power against Trump, deeming his desire to deny funding to sanctuary cities as unconstitutional. While many people believe that the supreme court is a powerful court that deals with the masses, this articles show how the branches of government can overlap and effect one another in their decisions.
3. We discussed the methods and usage of the branches in their own independence as well as their ability to check the power of the other branches. The importance of these two things for all branches of government to eliminate a government that is too powerful or a dictatorship by one branch of government ruling the entire nation without accountability. Through most of our government, the court more so focuses on the checking and accountability, for they have a small work load of cases they are meant to do which allows for them to ensure that all branches of government are maintaining their positions and duties in a constitutional manner for the people.