McVeigh and Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols were associated with the extreme right-wing and militant Patriot Movement, which rejects the legitimacy of the federal government and law enforcement.

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Ultimately, the public's faith in the justices as neutral arbiters of law is essential to the court's legitimacy, the independence of the federal judiciary and even the rule of law.

CNN: Is the Supreme Court playing with fire?

On the other hand, they would seek out and empower local Muslims who accept the authority and legitimacy of their states and their rule of law.

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Such actions were counterproductive and of dubious legitimacy, a columnist in the Harvard Law Record argued.

ECONOMIST: Assassinations