A guiding principle: respect the rule of law

by Warren Levy, CT Mirror
September 9, 2026

I speak to a principle that has guided my generation of Americans since childhood: the rule of law is the foundation of a stable and civil society. Without it, we do not have order, fairness, or trust, we have anarchy.

I was raised to believe that laws exist to create social civility, and that if you disagree with a law, there is a peaceful, democratic process to petition for change. That is the strength of our system. What concerns me today is the growing willingness of Democratic elected officials to selectively enforce the very laws they made and swore to uphold.

Let’s be clear: you break the law the moment you violate a statute, whether you steal a candy bar or steal a cash register. The severity may differ, but the principle does not. And if you knowingly hide or shield someone who committed either offense, you are aiding and abetting unlawful conduct. The law does not excuse selective enforcement.

The same principle applies to immigration. Federal law distinguishes between civil violations and criminal violations, but it does not give elected officials the authority to ignore statutes they personally disagree with. When officials obstruct enforcement, direct subordinates to disregard legal obligations, or provide protection from lawful process, they undermine the rule of law itself.

The bottom line is simple: if you don’t like the laws, work to change them, but don’t break them, and don’t ignore them. Our system depends on leaders who respect the laws they make. When enforcement becomes optional, accountability disappears, and public trust erodes.

Immigration and ICE enforcement are extremely volatile issues. That’s exactly why leaders must be careful and responsible in how they speak. Our mayor represents all residents, and should not inflame tensions or encourage division, especially on issues where emotions already run high. Freedom of speech matters, but so does responsible leadership.

I urge our mayor and state elected officials to work to repeal the Trust Act and reaffirm their commitment to consistent, impartial enforcement of the law. That is how we preserve civic order, protect democratic legitimacy, and maintain the public’s confidence in its institutions.

Warren Levy lives in Danbury.

This article first appeared on CT Mirror and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.