Over 130 former state and federal judges filed an amicus brief supporting Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan’s motion to dismiss charges of impeding government agents. The brief argues that prosecuting Dugan for actions within her judicial discretion constitutes an assault on judicial independence and threatens the ability of judges to perform their duties without fear of retaliation. This prosecution, they contend, sets a dangerous precedent by prioritizing federal interests over state court proceedings and jeopardizes the balance of federalism. The judges’ brief emphasizes the importance of judicial immunity and the potential chilling effect on judicial decision-making.
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The Trump administration is escalating its campaign to expand executive power, targeting the Library of Congress and claiming it falls under executive branch authority. This assertion, along with attempts to influence other independent agencies like the GAO, represents a broader effort to blur the lines separating government branches. The administration’s actions have faced some resistance, including legal challenges and pushback from Congress, though limited. The White House’s rationale centers on a claimed mandate to rein in spending and reshape governance, ignoring established norms of separation of powers. Control over the Library would grant access to vast amounts of sensitive data, including congressional research requests and copyright information.
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PBS filed a lawsuit against President Trump to prevent the termination of federal funding. The suit, mirroring a similar action by NPR, argues that Trump’s executive order violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law by attempting to control PBS’s programming and funding. PBS contends that the president’s actions constitute viewpoint discrimination and an infringement on editorial independence. The lawsuit cites a federal telecommunications law explicitly prohibiting government interference in public broadcasting.
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Judge Allison Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction, preventing the Department of Homeland Security and State Department from altering Harvard’s student visa program. This action maintains the status quo following the Trump administration’s attempted revocation, which the judge deemed necessary to prevent further harm to Harvard’s international student population. While the administration claims its recent actions render the case moot, the judge expressed concerns about ongoing visa issuance problems and the university’s First Amendment claims. Both parties will work to finalize the terms of the injunction, ensuring no changes occur.
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Court says Trump doesn’t have the authority to set tariffs. This ruling, stemming from a full court decision, finally puts a stop to a practice many believed was unconstitutional from the start. The decision clarifies a fundamental principle of our system of government: the power to impose tariffs rests with Congress, not the executive branch.
Court says Trump doesn’t have the authority to set tariffs, and this impacts far more than just the immediate economic consequences. The ruling highlights a crucial separation of powers, a cornerstone of our democratic framework. It underscores the importance of adhering to the checks and balances designed to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual, regardless of their position.… Continue reading
Donald Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill” would drastically redistribute wealth upward, benefiting the rich at the expense of the poor and working class. The bill also includes a provision effectively eliminating the courts’ power to hold the administration in contempt, rendering judicial orders unenforceable. This would allow Trump to ignore court rulings, including Supreme Court mandates, with impunity. This measure, if enacted, would severely weaken the federal judiciary and effectively end checks on executive power, culminating in a de facto autocracy.
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Following a federal judge’s blocking of an administration effort to bar Harvard from enrolling international students, Donald Trump demanded the names and countries of origin of all international students enrolled at the university. This request, made via Truth Social, follows a Homeland Security letter threatening to terminate Harvard’s participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Harvard subsequently sued the administration, citing First and Fourteenth Amendment violations, a suit which a judge temporarily ruled in favor of the university. Trump’s actions are part of a broader pattern of targeting elite universities, particularly regarding their endowments and diversity initiatives.
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A federal judge rebuked the Trump administration for defying a court order by deporting migrants to South Sudan, a country deemed too dangerous for American travelers, without proper notice. The administration’s actions, including providing less than 24 hours’ notice, directly violated a prior injunction. House Republicans subsequently passed a bill to limit judges’ ability to enforce contempt orders, seemingly aimed at shielding administration officials from accountability. This move threatens to render numerous existing injunctions, including those concerning civil rights, unenforceable. The bill’s future remains uncertain, pending a potential challenge based on Senate procedural rules.
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On Friday, the Trump administration faced three consecutive legal setbacks. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., rejected the administration’s appeal to overturn a previous ruling restoring control of the U.S. Institute of Peace to its original board, and another judge declared an executive order targeting Jenner & Block law firm unconstitutional. Simultaneously, a Massachusetts judge ruled that the removal of articles from a federal patient-safety resource, due to an executive order on “gender ideology,” violated the First Amendment. These rulings highlight the judiciary’s role in obstructing the Trump administration’s agenda.
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A federal judge’s recent decision to block the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke the enrollment of foreign students at Harvard University highlights a significant clash between executive power and judicial oversight. The administration, seemingly anticipating this legal challenge, likely hoped to create a chilling effect, deterring international students from applying to American universities. This strategy, while potentially successful in reducing international enrollment numbers, directly contradicts the core principles of the American legal system.
The administration’s argument, suggesting that unelected judges lack the authority to impede their immigration and national security policies, fundamentally misrepresents the balance of power enshrined in the U.S.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood