Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with attorneys general from 16 other states, has issued a joint statement in response to Vice President Vance's comments on judicial review made on February 9, 2025. The statement addresses concerns about the Vice President's remarks regarding the role of judges in controlling executive power.

The joint statement asserts: “The Vice President’s statement is as wrong as it is reckless. As chief law enforcement officers representing the people of 17 states, we unequivocally reject the Vice President’s attempt to spread this dangerous lie.” It emphasizes that judges do not control executive power but are instead tasked with stopping unlawful and unconstitutional exercises of power. The statement cites Chief Justice Marshall's decision in Marbury v. Madison to underline the judiciary's role as a check on government actions.

Further elaborating on the principle of checks and balances, the statement notes: “Americans understand the principle of checks and balances. The judiciary is a check on unlawful action by the executive and legislative branches of government. Generals, prosecutors, and all public officials are subject to checks and balances. No one is above the law.”

The attorneys general pledge to scrutinize each action taken by the current administration for any constitutional or federal law violations: “As Attorneys General, we will carefully scrutinize each and every action taken by this administration. If the Constitution or federal law is violated, we will not hesitate to act.”

In their ongoing efforts to uphold these principles, they have filed motions seeking temporary restraining orders against certain executive actions deemed unlawful or unconstitutional. These include attempts to ban birthright citizenship and freeze federal funding indiscriminately.

Attorney General Bonta joined his counterparts from Connecticut, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington in signing this critical declaration.