VERMONT BAR ASSOCIATION’S STATEMENT ON SUPPORT FOR THE RULE OF LAW
At its monthly meeting on Feb. 20, 2026, the Board of Managers of the Vermont Bar Association adopted the following statement:
The Vermont Bar Association is deeply concerned by the loss of life arising from recent federal immigration enforcement activity. The Vermont Bar Association is committed to the rule of law and to the principle that all government authority must be exercised within constitutional bounds. The use of deadly force by government agents is an extraordinary act that requires prompt, independent, and transparent review. Meaningful oversight and cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities are essential to maintaining public confidence in the justice system. Respect for jurisdictional roles, access to evidence, and accountability are not partisan concerns — they are foundational to our constitutional system and to lawyers’ professional obligation and civic responsibility. The Vermont Bar Association continues to stand strongly in support of these principles and those who uphold the core values of integrity, transparency, and independent review that are essential to the fair administration of justice.
