PHOTOS: Peters Delivers Commencement Address at Wayne State University Law School

DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) delivered the commencement address at graduation ceremony for the Wayne State University Law School Class of 2026. Peters - a Wayne State law school graduate of the Class of 1989 - reiterated the importance of defending of the rule of law and respecting the oaths they will take as attorneys to uphold the Constitution.

"Our country's founders enshrined in that document the core idea that in the new nation they were creating, no one is above the law, everyone is equal under the law, and everyone is required to follow the law. But without you - attorneys, judges, and legal scholars - the rule of law is at risk of being just an idea, and the Constitution merely a piece of paper," said Senator Peters. "'We the people' must continually fight to uphold our sacred principles and be tireless defenders of the rule of law. As an attorney, you will become an officer of the court. And as officers of the court, you will be duty bound to protect the independence of the judicial system and the legal profession from forces wishing to undermine it. Our democratic republic has been a shining example for the world for 250 years. But we should never take anything for granted."

To download photos of Senator Peters delivering the commencement address, click here.

Peters' speech also highlighted the important role the U.S. judicial branch plays in putting a check on the power of the legislative and executive branches during contentious political times.

"Our founders certainly expected there would be vigorous political debate in a free society, but they were concerned political factions, if unchecked, could tear the republic apart, especially during periods of hyper polarization. This is why they made the judiciary a co-equal branch of government - to check the excesses of the legislative and executive branches when it occurs," said Peters. "As lawyers, we must be willing to forcefully defend judicial independence at all times. As lawyers, we know we must abide by a judge's ruling or a court order, even if we intend to appeal it, and not attack their integrity or their impartiality just because we disagree. To do so would undermine the rule of law. As lawyers, we know every person, regardless of who they are, has a constitutional right to seek legal representation, and we should never penalize lawyers or law firms for carrying out their work."

As a fellow graduate of Wayne State University's Law School, Peters took a moment to celebrate the Class of 2026 and speak to how their education has prepared them to practice law in the real-world.

"As someone who has walked in your shoes and sat in the same seats as you, I know how hard you worked and how many sacrifices you have made to reach this milestone today. Law school is not easy for anyone who dares to pursue it. And without the part-time program offered by Wayne State, it would not have been possible for me to go to law school at all," Peters said. "Every graduate, whether you attended classes full or part-time, received an unparalleled legal education. You learned to think critically, analyze information, and build a case. You learned how to advocate on behalf of your client. You learned a professional code of ethics and conduct to guide your work."

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