Sunday Speaker – Bob McWhirter: America and the Rule of Law

America began with the words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal....” Although the Declaration of Independence’s great quotable line, most people fail to finish the sentence, “that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

The Rule of Law is under attack.

In a time of constitutional crisis we need to return to our roots. The Framers knew two things: “governments are instituted among men” because individual rights cannot exist without the Rule of Law and the Rule of Law cannot exist without a democratic republic “from the consent of the governed.” The words are crucial, because America works by “consent” – the root of the word consensus - and compromise.

This is how we Americans govern ourselves.

Bio: Bob McWhirter
Robert J. McWhirter is a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney, speaker, and author with over 100 trials to his credit across federal, state, and municipal courts. A frequent legal analyst on Bloomberg News, FoxNews Live, Arizona Horizon, and KJZZ, he is also a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law and has served on the Arizona State Bar Board of Governors for over eight years.

He is the author of several acclaimed books, including Fixing the Framers’ Failure (2022) and Bills, Quills, and Stills: The History of the Bill of Rights (2015). His work has been quoted in the U.S. Supreme Court, and he has published extensively on immigration law and constitutional history in both English and Spanish. Mr. McWhirter has played a key role in developing the ABA's Criminal Justice Standards and has trained legal professionals across Latin America on trial advocacy and justice reform.

His international work includes serving as a visiting professor in Chile, directing a multimillion-dollar USAID justice reform project in El Salvador, and providing legal training in countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico. Mr. McWhirter’s global perspective enriches his advocacy for justice, grounded in both practice and principle.

A recipient of multiple honors—including Distinguished Alumni awards from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and Barrett Honors College—Mr. McWhirter continues his private practice while consulting on immigration consequences of criminal convictions. His decades of service reflect a deep commitment to justice, education, and the rule of law.

Please Note:
Doors open at 9:00 am for optional buffet breakfast ($5 donation) and socializing. Speaker program begins at 10:00 am.

Important: $5 breakfast fee waived for awesome humans bringing in food to share!

If you can help with set-up, clean-up, and/or by bringing a breakfast casserole, please go to SignUpGenius HERE.

Let us know you're coming! RSVP on Meetup HERE.

A Children's Program is available during the Speaker Meeting. Go to a separate Meetup to RSVP for your kids HERE.

Prefer to join us remotely?

1. Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88103534615?pwd=oxAEoZTZ6s220Xslo5LMkUgLuK8MYA.1
2. YOUTUBE: You can watch live (15 second delay), or you can watch later. LINK HERE

Need help? Email humanist@hsgp.org before the day of this meeting.

The Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix presents its Sunday Speaker meetings twice a month on Sunday mornings. Meetings are free and open to the public.

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