As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II is urging Americans to reflect not only on the country’s freedoms, but on the importance of protecting them through the rule of law.
In a Fourth of July message, Walsh said the Declaration’s promise that all people are created equal and endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness remains the foundation of the American justice system. He stressed that liberty can only be preserved when courts and prosecutors uphold the law without regard to a person’s religion, occupation, ethnicity, political views, or public opinion.
Walsh acknowledged that the pursuit of justice is often difficult, especially during moments of public outrage, but emphasized that courtroom decisions must be based on evidence rather than emotion, political pressure, or demands for retribution. He said the legal system exists to protect every individual, including those who may be unpopular, and warned that justice cannot be dictated by the “maddening crowd.”
Drawing on history, Walsh cited John Adams and his defense of the British soldiers charged in the Boston Massacre, describing it as a defining example of America’s commitment to the rule of law over public anger. He also referenced Robert H. Jackson, who wrote that a prosecutor’s duty is to seek truth rather than victims and to serve the law instead of factional interests.
Walsh concluded by saying prosecutors have a responsibility to defend the constitutional rights of every American, even when doing so is unpopular. He said that protecting liberty through the fair application of the law is how public servants honor the nation’s founders, and wished residents a happy and safe Fourth of July.
