Action Quote by William J. Brennan
“More fundamentally, however, the answer to petitioners' objection is that there can be no impairment of executive power, whether on the state or federal level, where actions pursuant to that power are impermissible under the Constitution. Where there is no power, there can be no impairment of power.”
About This Quote
Source Legal Opinion: United States Supreme Court, 1975
The argument states that if a power does not exist, it cannot be limited or infringed upon by any action.
In simple terms: No power means no restriction possible.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of authority.
Themes
law
constitutional limits
executive power
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
legal
interpretive
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- policy drafting
- government oversight
- legislative debates
Key Concepts
jurisprudence
federalism
state sovereignty
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines the existence of a power?
- How should courts address unclear constitutional authority?
A Different Perspective
If a power is ambiguous, determining its existence may be contentious.
![“[T]hough individual oppression may now and then proceed fro the courts of justice, the general liberty of the people can never be endangered from that quarter . . .” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e0d/alexander-hamilton-619_court_t-hough-individual-oppression-may-now-an_592732.jpg)
