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Quote#Politics & Power

That instrument(The Constitution) meant that its coordinate branches…

Quote byThomas Jefferson · 1743–1826

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: First Presidential Administration (1801–1805), Letter to Abigail Adams about the Sedition Acts (1804).

English (original)

That instrument(The Constitution) meant that its coordinate branches should be checks on each other. But the opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves in their own sphere of action but for the Legislature and Executive also in their spheres, would make the Judiciary a despotic branch.

— Thomas Jefferson

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