While 45 of the 50 States have either a State constitutional amendment or a statute that preserves the current definition of marriage, left-wing activist judges and officials at the local levels have struck down State laws protecting marriage.

The quote by John Boehner expresses his concern over judicial and local challenges to laws defining marriage traditionally as between a man and a woman. He points out that 45 of the 50 States had enacted either constitutional amendments or statutes to preserve this definition, yet judges and local officials he labels as “left-wing activists” were striking down these measures. His statement reflects a belief that the will of the people, as expressed through state laws, was being undermined by unelected authorities.

The origin of this statement comes from Boehner’s time as Speaker of the House and a leading figure in the Republican Party. During debates over same-sex marriage in the early 2000s and 2010s, Boehner was among those who defended traditional marriage laws and criticized the judiciary for what he and other conservatives saw as overreach. His words capture the political and cultural tension leading up to the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

By framing the issue as one of states’ rights versus judicial activism, Boehner emphasizes the divide between local democratic processes and national legal rulings. To him and like-minded conservatives, the courts were overriding the democratic choices of citizens in a majority of states. His statement also reflects a broader conservative critique that liberal judges were imposing their views rather than interpreting the law.

Ultimately, Boehner’s quote illustrates the political battleground over marriage equality in the United States. While supporters of same-sex marriage saw court rulings as necessary to protect civil rights, opponents like Boehner viewed them as threats to democratic decision-making. His words capture a key moment in the evolving debate over the balance between majority rule, judicial authority, and the pursuit of equality.