--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the federal government should be…" description: "\"I think the federal government should be doing only what the Constitution says it should be. We don't have authority under the federal Constitution to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73c/paul-broun-13322_authority_i-think-the-federal-government-should-be_1231023.jpg" --- # I think the federal government should be doing only what… ![“I think the federal government should be doing only what the Constitution says it should be. We don't have authority under the federal Constitution to have a big federal criminal justice system.” quote by Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73c/paul-broun-13322_authority_i-think-the-federal-government-should-be_1231023.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73c/paul-broun-13322_authority_i-think-the-federal-government-should-be_1231023.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73c/paul-broun-13322_authority_i-think-the-federal-government-should-be_1231023.jpg) > “I think the federal government should be doing only what the Constitution says it should be. We don't have authority under the federal Constitution to have a big federal criminal justice system.” [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates limited federal power strictly as outlined by the Constitution, opposing expansive federal criminal justice. **In simple terms:** Government should stick to constitutional limits. Key Takeaway Limit federal authority to constitutional text. Themes government law federalism Mood cautious critical Type political legal When to use this quote - policy debates - legal reforms - state rights discussions Key Concepts constitutionalism limited government jurisprudence Questions to Reflect On - How should we balance national security with constitutional limits? - When is federal intervention justified? A Different Perspective Federal power can be needed for national issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Authority Federal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority-federal-3807482/) [Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Constitution Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution-says/) [Criminal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminal/) [Criminal justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminal-justice/) [Criminal justice system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminal-justice-system/) [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [Federal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal/) [Federal Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-constitution-1244790/) [Federal Criminal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-criminal-3567944/) [Federal government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-government/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Justice system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice-system/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/says/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [System](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/system/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) ## Related quotes > [“And that is just the list of federal criminal statutes; the states have an even greater number of crimes on the books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-duane/and-that-is-just-the-list-of-federal-criminal-statutes-the-states/) [James Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-duane/) > [This bill would renounce the safe, proper, and acceptable role for Government as a referee of disputes between the governed. It would interpose the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/strom-thurmond/this-bill-would-renounce-the-safe-proper-and-acceptable-role-for/) [Strom Thurmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/strom-thurmond/) > [The function of the prosecutor under the federal Constitution is not to tack as many skins of victims as possible against the wall. His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/the-function-of-the-prosecutor-under-the-federal-constitution-is-not/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [“..I began speaking.. First, I took issue with the media's characterization of the post-Katrina New Orleans as resembling the third world as its poor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-sothern/i-began-speaking-first-i-took-issue-with-the-media-s-characterization/) [Billy Sothern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-sothern/) > [I have complete faith and trust in our criminal justice system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shamna-kasim/i-have-complete-faith-and-trust-in-our-criminal-justice-system/) [Shamna Kasim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shamna-kasim/) > [It's been crazy to not only learn about the criminal justice system, but to see how it starts so young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mccourty/it-s-been-crazy-to-not-only-learn-about-the-criminal-justice-system/) [Jason McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mccourty/) > [I'm very mindful of the need to ensure we have a criminal justice system in which people have confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-grayling/i-m-very-mindful-of-the-need-to-ensure-we-have-a-criminal-justice/) [Chris Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-grayling/) > [Whether or not we can save Lake Michigan, whether or not we can avoid a breakdown in our criminal justice system are more important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-scott/whether-or-not-we-can-save-lake-michigan-whether-or-not-we-can-avoid/) [Bill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-scott/) > [Victims of crime and the wider community deserve a grown-up debate on our criminal justice system and how we can make it work -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/victims-of-crime-and-the-wider-community-deserve-a-grown-up-debate-on/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [A large portion of American citizens, especially people of color, have lost confidence in our criminal justice system. Many have called for appointing special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/a-large-portion-of-american-citizens-especially-people-of-color-have/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Our criminal justice system has swallowed up too many people I love. I am proud to join the ACLU in the fight to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-k-williams/our-criminal-justice-system-has-swallowed-up-too-many-people-i-love-i/) [Michael K. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-k-williams/) > [The people who have been unjustly disenfranchised by our criminal justice system and the people who daily fight for them always have, and always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-jenkins/the-people-who-have-been-unjustly-disenfranchised-by-our-criminal/) [Malcolm Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-jenkins/) > [America's criminal justice system isn't known for rehabilitation. I'm not sure that, as a society, we are even interested in that concept anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/america-s-criminal-justice-system-isn-t-known-for-rehabilitation-i-m/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [It's encouraging to watch bipartisan leaders from different states recognize the need for fair and rational legislation focused on creating second chances for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-rubin/it-s-encouraging-to-watch-bipartisan-leaders-from-different-states/) [Michael G. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-rubin/) > [We need to incorporate that age-old concept of redemption into the work that we do in the criminal justice system in California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/we-need-to-incorporate-that-age-old-concept-of-redemption-into-the/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) ## More by Paul Broun > [All that stuff I was taught about evolution, embryology, Big Bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of hell. It's lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/all-that-stuff-i-was-taught-about-evolution-embryology-big-bang/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [I condemn all statements - made in sincerity or jest - that threaten or suggest the use of violence against the president of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/i-condemn-all-statements-made-in-sincerity-or-jest-that-threaten-or/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [It teaches us how to run our lives individually. How to run our families, how to run our churches. But it teaches us how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/it-teaches-us-how-to-run-our-lives-individually-how-to-run-our/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [There's a lot of scientific data that I found out as a scientist that actually show that this is really a young Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/there-s-a-lot-of-scientific-data-that-i-found-out-as-a-scientist-that/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [There are some in black robes sitting on federal benches all across this country. They're Democrats, Republicans, liberals, and even conservatives that pervert the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/there-are-some-in-black-robes-sitting-on-federal-benches-all-across/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [Georgians aren't interested in labels or affiliation, they're interested in solutions. And that begins by making Washington smaller and America bigger!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/georgians-aren-t-interested-in-labels-or-affiliation-they-re/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [It only helps the Democrats if we legalize all these illegal aliens in this country who the Democrats want to put on federal welfare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/it-only-helps-the-democrats-if-we-legalize-all-these-illegal-aliens/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [As your congressman, I hold the Holy Bible as being the major directions to me of how I vote in Washington D.C.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/as-your-congressman-i-hold-the-holy-bible-as-being-the-major/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [ In my opinion, we've elected a Marxist \[Barack Obama\] to be president of the United States. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/in-my-opinion-we-ve-elected-a-marxist-barack-obama-to-be-president-of/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [Ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse for accused criminals, and it cannot be an excuse for members of Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/ignorance-of-the-law-is-not-a-valid-excuse-for-accused-criminals-and/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [There's a lot of scientific data that I found out as a scientist that actually show that this is really a young Earth. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/there-s-a-lot-of-scientific-data-that-i-found-out-as-a-scientist-that-2/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [If I shoot it, I'm gonna eat it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/if-i-shoot-it-i-m-gonna-eat-it/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [If passed by the U.N. and ratified by the U.S. Senate, the U.N. Small Arms Treaty would almost certainly force the United States to...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/if-passed-by-the-u-n-and-ratified-by-the-u-s-senate-the-u-n-small/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [The Second Amendment is the one that really protects all of our liberties that we are given by our Lord, and our God-given rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/the-second-amendment-is-the-one-that-really-protects-all-of-our/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [When I was sworn in the Marine Corps in 1964, when I was sworn into Congress, I swore to uphold the Constitution against enemies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/when-i-was-sworn-in-the-marine-corps-in-1964-when-i-was-sworn-into/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) [Explore all 51 Paul Broun quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) ## More Authority quotes > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [I think people need to be comfortable questioning the authority of a doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susannah-cahalan/i-think-people-need-to-be-comfortable-questioning-the-authority-of-a/) [Susannah Cahalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susannah-cahalan/) > [At a distance, we cannot conceive of the authority of a despot who knows all his subjects on sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/at-a-distance-we-cannot-conceive-of-the-authority-of-a-despot-who/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) > [Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/throughout-human-history-as-our-species-has-faced-the-frightening/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [“I'm of the age and immaturity level that I cannot give you my respect solely because you are older or ranked higher on an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-goros/i-m-of-the-age-and-immaturity-level-that-i-cannot-give-you-my-respect/) [Erica Goros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-goros/) > [In the end theologians are jealous of science, for they are aware that it has greater authority than do their own ways of finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/in-the-end-theologians-are-jealous-of-science-for-they-are-aware-that/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The execution was set for the 29th of March, at nine in the morning. This delay was due to a desire on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-execution-was-set-for-the-29th-of-march-at-nine-in-the-morning/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Sometimes it's easier for people who are in authority to be authoritarian, because people know where you stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-streep/sometimes-it-s-easier-for-people-who-are-in-authority-to-be/) [Meryl Streep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-streep/) > [The victory of Hamas is not only based on the corruption of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has a vision and a program, and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ismail-haniyeh/the-victory-of-hamas-is-not-only-based-on-the-corruption-of-the/) [Ismail Haniyeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ismail-haniyeh/) [Browse all 4,003 Authority quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think the federal government should be doing only what the Constitution says it should be. 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