On Thursday, February 6, Wayne Law welcomed Allison Zieve, Litigation Group Director and General Counsel of Public Citizen, as the featured speaker for the 7th Annual Paul A. Rosen Constitutional Law Speaker Series. Public Citizen, founded in 1971, is a renowned consumer advocacy organization dedicated to promoting good government, strengthening democratic institutions, and challenging corporate overreach.

Originally, Zieve planned to discuss how recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have reshaped the balance of power among the nation’s three branches of government in a talk titled, "The (Un)Balance of Powers: Administrative Law at the Supreme Court." However, given the rapid expansion of executive authority in recent years, she adapted her remarks to examine the statutory and constitutional challenges triggered by these developments.

One key issue she addressed was the President’s assertion of broad powers to withhold congressionally appropriated funds, effectively shutting down agencies such as USAID. Zieve and other attorneys have challenged these actions in court, arguing that such moves violate the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

Zieve also discussed executive actions that have raised concerns about the limits of presidential authority, including:

• Firing of federal officials: The administration has removed numerous officials, including Inspectors General and a National Labor Relations Board member, despite legal protections under precedents like Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935).
• Attempts to end birthright citizenship: An executive order sought to reinterpret the 14th Amendment to exclude children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents, even those lawfully present.
• Federal funding as leverage: Another executive order aimed to condition federal funding on how schools address LGBTQ+ rights and the teaching of American history.
• Government restructuring: The establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency, an entity coordinated by Elon Musk, has been linked to the firing of thousands of federal employees.

Zieve concluded her remarks by highlighting how public interest lawyers are responding to these developments through legal challenges. She expressed optimism that courts—regardless of judicial appointments—will uphold longstanding legal principles when adjudicating cases concerning executive authority.

Encouraging students to engage with constitutional law, Zieve emphasized the importance of maintaining checks and balances in a democracy. She urged future lawyers to pursue careers that strengthen government accountability and the rule of law.

Catch a glimpse of the event and visit our digital photo gallery for highlights.