To the editor:

Our Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire signed it. Article VI defines it as the supreme law of the Land. The President’s oath of office states “will, to the best ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States”. Senators and representatives, the members of States legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States, and the several States, shall be by bound oath or affirmation to support the Constitution.

One of my grade school teachers simplified the Constitution by saying that Congress enacts laws, the executive branch carries them out or vetoes them, and the Supreme Court ensures that the laws and actions of Congress and the executive branch are constitutional.My teacher added that the Constitution’s three branches had equal powers to check each other.

Powers of Congress are eroding as the executive branch takes on some of those powers without amending the Constitution. Some that I see eroding are the powers to lay and collect duties or tariffs, to regulate commerce with foreign countries, and to declare war. The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces but only Congress may declare war. Congress seems unable to protect their constitutional powers.

Since the Constitution was ratified, 27 amendments were added. Amendments IV and VI define right of search and right to speedy trial that I believe ICE violated this winter in Minneapolis. Amendment XIV allows for birthright citizenship; the executive branch is trying to remove birthright citizenship judicially, not by amending. Amendment XXII states, “No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice”. President Trump has toyed in several statements about running for a third term or not. The Brown Co. Republican Party booth in the 2025 Brown Co. Fair had a large Trump banner in the back of the booth with a smaller cardboard “2028” fastened to the bottom of the larger Trump banner.

I’m concerned about the imbalance among the executive branch, Congress, and the Supreme Court; are you?

Tom and Deanne Romaine

NEW ULM