Staff Reports
In the wake of escalating violence impacting families across Maryland, a critical debate has emerged that goes far beyond individual tragedies. While the pain suffered by victims and their loved ones is undeniable and deserves the deepest sympathy, the recent case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—wrongly deported to El Salvador despite a court order—has become a flashpoint for a much larger discussion about the rule of law, constitutional rights, and the responsibility of government to both protect the public and uphold due process.
At the heart of this debate is a foundational conservative principle: the Constitution is not a suggestion, but a binding contract that protects everyone’s rights, citizen and non-citizen alike. When the government oversteps, whether in the name of public safety or expediency, it threatens the liberty of all Americans. The Trump administration’s actions in the Garcia case, while perhaps motivated by a desire to crack down on crime, have been criticized by courts for disregarding due process and violating the Fifth Amendment. Even if someone is suspected of wrongdoing, the Constitution demands that the government prove its case in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion or through bureaucratic shortcuts.
The importance of due process cannot be overstated. Conservatives have long warned that sacrificing constitutional rights for the sake of expediency is a slippery slope. Today, it may be an immigrant or someone accused of a crime; tomorrow, it could be any American who finds themselves out of favor with those in power. Upholding due process is not about defending an individual, but about defending the very system that ensures fairness and justice for all. As Senator Chris Van Hollen put it, “I am not defending the man. I’m defending the rights of this man to due process… because if we take it away from him, we do jeopardize it for everybody else.”
Furthermore, the separation of powers and the role of the judiciary are essential bulwarks against government overreach. The courts have repeatedly stepped in to remind the executive branch that it is not above the law. This is not just a Maryland issue—it is a national issue, and it is why conservatives continue to fight for checks and balances, limited government, and the preservation of individual rights as enshrined in both the U.S. and Maryland constitutions.
As Maryland continues to mourn the loss of innocent lives to violence, we must not lose sight of the broader picture. Public safety and the rule of law are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they are mutually reinforcing. True justice is only possible when the government is held accountable to the highest standards of constitutional integrity. If we allow due process to be eroded for one, we risk eroding it for all. The lesson is clear: the rights and freedoms that define America must be protected, even—and especially—when it is difficult or unpopular to do so.
