Behavior Quote by Glenn Greenwald
“Revealingly, the central function of the Constitution as law--the supreme law--was to impose limitations not on the behavior of ordinary citizens but on the federal government. The government, and those who ran it, were not placed outside the law, but expressly targeted by it. Indeed, the Bill of Rights is little more than a description of the lines that the most powerful political officials are barred from crossing, even if they have the power to do so and even when the majority of citizens might wish them to do so.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on constitutional limits, 2018
The Constitution primarily restricts federal power, not citizens, with the Bill of Rights setting boundaries for officials.
In simple terms: The Constitution limits government, not people.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that law protects against governmental overreach.
Themes
government
law
rights
power
citizenship
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- legal analysis
- civic education
- policy debate
- activism
- journalism
Key Concepts
constitutionalism
checks and balances
civil liberties
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect trust in institutions?
- What mechanisms enforce these limits today?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook state and local government limits.
