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Amid court losses, Trump administration talk of ignoring rulings fuels fears of constitutional crisis
Good morning to our readers following US politics. Donald Trump has been met with significant setbacks in the judiciary as judges across the country have recently issued rulings that prevent his administration from executing various policies. These include attempts to limit birthright citizenship for undocumented immigrants, granting access to Treasury payment systems for Elon Musk and his associates, persuading federal employees to resign en masse, and freezing federal funding, among other issues. Following these judicial decisions, there has been an uptick in discussions among Trump administration officials about potentially disregarding rulings they find objectionable. Notably, JD Vance has been vocal, suggesting over the weekend that “judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.” This rhetoric has raised alarm among Democrats and legal experts, who worry that such defiance could lead to a constitutional crisis. With this context, we can anticipate a continuation of critical discussions as the president’s campaign unfolds alongside ongoing legal challenges.
Here’s what else is on our radar:
Trump is scheduled to meet with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House at 11:30 AM, followed by the signing of unspecified executive orders at 3 PM. In a related note, yesterday’s executive actions included the imposition of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and a decision to postpone the enforcement of an anti-bribery law.
Today may bring the unveiling of House Republicans’ comprehensive bill poised to cut taxes and reduce government expenditure while funding key priorities of the Trump administration, including widespread deportations. Mike Johnson and his team are scheduled for a press conference at 10 AM.
Hamas has announced a delay in releasing further Israeli hostages, citing violations of the ceasefire agreement. In response, Trump commented, “let hell break out” if more hostages are not released by Saturday. For continuous updates, a separate live blog is maintaining coverage of the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
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In an interview with CNN yesterday, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy indicated that while the Trump administration has yet to push the United States into a constitutional crisis, they are edging precariously close.
“Although they have largely complied with court orders up to this point, there is a growing concern about their future actions,” Murphy stated. “If they were to dismiss a ruling outright, as JD Vance suggests, it could pose a tremendous challenge to democracy in our lifetimes.”
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As speculation mounts about the Trump administration’s potential disregard for court mandates, anxiety intensified following a federal judge’s remark that the administration had ignored his directive to lift a freeze on federal funding. Further elaboration on this issue comes from Anna Betts at the Guardian:
A federal judge recently stated that the Trump administration had failed to comply with his order to reinstate billions in federal funding, and he issued a command requiring the government to “immediately restore frozen funding.”
In the order, US District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. from Rhode Island instructed the Trump administration to resume federal funding according to a temporary restraining order issued in January, which had suspended the administration’s freeze on appropriated federal funds.
The ruling marked a critical moment, being the first instance where a judge asserted that the Trump administration had breached a court order related to implementing a new policy. In light of this, the Trump administration announced its intention to appeal.
Previously, the administration’s Office of Management and Budget had circulated a memo delaying federal grants and loans to reassess spending in line with Trump’s policies. This memo was later revoked, resulting in widespread confusion regarding the administration’s funding strategies.
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Bar association warns White House ‘cannot choose which law it will follow or ignore’
In a strong rebuke to Donald Trump’s initiatives to halt federal spending and dismantle congressionally established agencies, the American Bar Association called upon the administration to uphold the rule of law and adhere to judicial decisions.
In a statement, ABA President William Bay specifically addressed Trump’s plans to freeze federal loans and grants, labeling such actions as “violations of the rule of law” that imply the executive branch can override the authority of the other two co-equal branches of government.
“Funds allocated by Congress must be utilized according to Congressional directives. They cannot be modified or suspended merely because a new administration seeks to implement its agenda. This is known among our elected officials and legal professionals and must be enforced,” Bay asserted.
He called on government representatives and lawyers alike to ensure the Trump administration complies with judicial mandates:
We urge our elected officials to unite in advocating for adherence to legal frameworks and procedures that guarantee orderly transitions. The executive branch cannot select which laws to uphold or dismiss. These concerns transcend partisan boundaries; they relate to the principles of law and procedural integrity. We cannot afford complacency; we must champion the values that are integral to our democracy.
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www.theguardian.com