Textualism’s Preinterpretive Core

The article argues textualism is chiefly about identifying what counts as the binding legal text under public authority before interpretation even begins. Drawing on Aquinas, it claims judges must first anchor themselves to the enacted text and only then apply it, pushing back on readings that foreground broad 'purpose' or common-good aims. — Reframing textualism as a boundary-setting doctrine limits judicial discretion and sharpens separation-of-powers debates in statutory and constitutional cases.