Well said. The founders did not intend for the executive branch to blindly accept and carry out any Supreme Court decision, regardless of its integrity. Had their intention been to establish a judiciary supreme above the other branches of government, they would have explicitly stated so. Instead, the founders designed a system of checks and balances where each branch of government, including the Supreme Court, is subject to oversight and accountability.
The founders envisioned a government where power is distributed among the three branchesâexecutive, legislative, and judicialâeach with distinct but interrelated roles. This separation of powers ensures that no single branch can dominate or operate without restraint. The executive branch, in particular, has a duty to enforce laws faithfully, but this duty does not extend to executing decisions that are clearly unconstitutional or represent a gross abuse of judicial power.
By providing checks against the Supreme Court, the founders recognized the potential for judicial overreach and sought to prevent it. They understood that the judiciary, like the other branches, could be fallible and that mechanisms must be in place to correct or counteract such overreach. This system of checks and balances is essential for maintaining the integrity and functionality of the government, ensuring that the Constitution is upheld and that no branch exceeds its lawful authority.
Therefore, while the judiciary has the power to interpret the Constitution and adjudicate disputes, its decisions are not beyond scrutiny or correction. The executive branch, when faced with a Supreme Court decision that is blatantly corrupt or unconstitutional, has a responsibility to act in accordance with the Constitution and the principles of justice, rather than merely complying with the decision. This balanced approach preserves the co-equal status of the branches and protects the fundamental tenets of the democratic system.