Federal courts might be the last guard against Trump
More than 40 lawsuits have been filed in recent days by state attorneys general, unions and nonprofits seeking to erect a barrier against President Trump’s blitzkrieg of executive orders. Vice President JD Vance yesterday accused any judges who might block the president’s orders of acting illegally.
With a compliant Congress, and little significant resistance in either the streets or within the president’s own party, the judicial branch of the government may be the only check on his power. But while the executive branch is entrusted with the capacity for swift, decisive action, the judiciary is slow by design. Any legal opposition may struggle to keep up with Trump’s fire hose of legal disruption. There have been some measurable results: Judicial orders in nine federal court cases will, for a time, partly bind the administration’s hands.
Foreign aid: On Friday, hours before workers for the government’s main foreign aid agency were set to be suspended with pay or laid off, a court issued a limited, temporary order blocking the move. Thousands of workers were left in limbo, while millions around the world who rely on the agency watched in disbelief.
Immigration: The Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration — both legal and illegal — has resulted in at least 10 lawsuits. Here’s a rundown of those and other challenges.
