Friend,
Donald Trump is testing the limits of executive power – and ignoring the courts when they push back. He’s not just undermining our legal system; he’s actively dismantling the very idea that any branch of government can serve as a check on his authority.
The result? A growing constitutional crisis that threatens the foundations of our democracy – and if we don’t act now, we may lose one of the last meaningful restraints on Trump’s power to hurt all of us.
Chip in now to help protect our courts and defend the system of checks and balances. >>
Since his inauguration, Trump has escalated his attacks on the judicial branch. When federal judges rule against him, he and his allies threaten them. When courts issue orders, his administration delays, distorts – or openly ignores them.
Just last week, a federal judge issued an emergency restraining order halting the deportation of several Venezuelan nationals without due process under Trump’s illegitimate use of a law that applies only in wartime. Instead of complying, the Trump administration went ahead with the deportations anyway.[1] The judge was reportedly “furious.” But Trump’s message was clear: What are you going to do about it?
This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of a broader effort to sideline the judiciary. Trump publicly called for that judge to be impeached.[2] He’s suggested that judges who defy him are “dangerous” or “corrupt,” attempting to chill independent rulings through intimidation. And his crony in the House – Speaker Mike Johnson – has suggested that Congress can simply eliminate courts when they rule against Trump.[3]
Even more troubling: Congressional Republicans are lining up behind him. Several new proposals in Congress aim to sharply limit the power of federal courts to review executive actions. For instance, Rep. Darrell Issa introduced the No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) to limit federal judges' ability to issue nationwide injunctions blocking clearly illegal actions by the administration.[4] And as noted above, House Speaker Mike Johnson has even suggested that Congress could eliminate entire district courts or use funding as leverage over the judiciary. Legal scholars warn that such changes would cripple the judiciary’s ability to act as a meaningful check on executive power.
Let’s be clear: if the courts are stripped of their ability to stop abuses of power – and if the president simply ignores the rulings that do get through – we are no longer living under a functioning system of checks and balances. We’re living under the rule of an authoritarian.
Throughout our history, the courts have often been the last line of defense – blocking unconstitutional attempts to overturn election results, protecting voting rights, and challenging abuses of executive power. That vital safeguard is now under direct assault, and unless we speak out and organize to defend it, we may lose it for good.
The Constitution was designed with checks and balances for a reason: to prevent exactly this kind of consolidation of power by someone who thinks he’s king. But that system only works if we, the people, refuse to let it collapse under pressure.
Thanks for standing with us in this fight.
In solidarity,
Zach VanHouten
People For the American Way
| DONATE NOW |
Sources:
[1] "Trump admin ignores judge’s order, deports Venezuelan nationals anyway," ABC News, March 22, 2025.
[2] "Trump escalates attacks on judges, floats impeachment after asylum ruling," AP News, March 19, 2025.
[3] "Republicans consider action against judges as Trump rails against court rulings," PBS NewsHour, March 25, 2025.
[4] "Trump wants to rein in federal judges. California Republican is on it," Los Angeles Times, March 24, 2025.
|
Do not reply directly to this e-mail. Please use [email protected].
Trouble viewing the email?
This email was sent to [email protected]. If you have any thoughts, comments, or criticisms, or if there's a better email address at which to reach you, please let us know. If you'd like to unsubscribe from our list, you can do that here.
|
