Anyone who believes in the essential role government can play in improving people's lives must also be the toughest critics of those who abuse the public trust.

If you have faith in the public sector, as I do, you must be the harshest critic of corruption, waste and fraud in government.

As New York's chief law enforcement officer, I have taken a hard line against those in state government who abuse the law they have sworn to uphold.

New Yorkers must be able to trust the men and women of the NYPD. They must come forward to report crimes. And they must come forward as witnesses.

In a system that disproportionately harms poor people and people of color, too many Americans have lost faith in the essential American principle of equal justice under law.

My concept of government's role in people's lives is that it is limited but legitimate, and essential when people have nowhere else to turn.