From People For the American Way <[email protected]>
Subject This is what a judicial takeover looks like
Date May 31, 2025 2:23 PM
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A new message from your friends at People For the American Way.
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Friend,

Donald Trump is four months into his second term, and Republicans are
escalating their assault on one of the last institutions still doing its
constitutional duty – the courts.

Federal courts have been doing what they are supposed to do: interpreting
the law, enforcing the Constitution, and acting as a check on presidential
power.

That hasn’t gone over well with Trump.

In a study released last week of cases decided so far in May of this year,
for example, federal courts ruled against the Trump administration in 26
of 27 cases – a staggering 96% loss rate.^[ [link removed] ] This isn’t partisan
resistance; it’s the rule of law in action. The opposition to Trump
administration positions in these cases came roughly equally from judges
appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents.^[ [link removed] ] That’s how
extreme and unlawful Trump’s agenda has become.

[1]We need your help to defend the rule of law. Pitch in now to help us
push back against Trump’s dangerous attacks on the courts. >>

Instead of adjusting course, Trump’s MAGA collaborators in Congress are
trying to break the courts entirely.

They just slipped a provision into the latest House budget bill that would
severely limit judges’ ability to hold administration officials in
contempt when they violate court orders. This would give Trump a free
ticket to defy the courts.

It’s a direct, calculated attack on judicial independence.

And they’re not stopping at rewriting the rules – they’ve been targeting
judges who rule against them personally for months.

The most recent example? After a panel of federal judges – appointed by
Reagan, Obama, and even Trump himself – ruled that the president lacked
authority to impose sweeping global tariffs, Trump’s inner circle lashed
out. His top policy adviser, Stephen Miller, accused the judiciary of
“tyranny” and circulated personal bios of the judges.^[ [link removed] ] White House
press secretary Karoline Leavitt went even further, calling the ruling
“judicial overreach” and accusing the judges of “brazenly abusing their
judicial power.”^[ [link removed] ]

Earlier this month, Trump himself reposted a suggestion that he release
terrorists near the homes of Supreme Court justices who had ruled against
him.^[ [link removed] ]

This isn’t just rhetoric. It’s a coordinated effort to delegitimize and
intimidate any court that refuses to serve as a rubber stamp.

We’re fighting back. But to stay in this fight, we need to raise $13,719
by midnight tonight or we’ll fall short of our goal and the resources
necessary to fight back at full strength. [2]Donate now to help stop the
GOP’s court sabotage. >>

And there’s more.

Next week, the Senate begins confirmation hearings on Trump’s first slate
of second-term judicial nominees. Trump isn’t looking for impartial legal
minds. He wants political enforcers – handpicked to advance Trump’s agenda
and shield him from accountability.

Like his newest nominee, Emil Bove, a former personal attorney of Trump’s.
He’s been described by the New York Times as “the main enforcer of
President Trump’s demands for retribution and unimpeded control of federal
law enforcement.” Bove is such an extreme nominee one well-known
conservative legal scholar described the nomination as “very bad
news.”^[ [link removed] ]

Another nominee, Whitney Hermandorfer, has been involved in legal efforts
aimed at restricting access to reproductive health care, challenging
birthright citizenship, and opposing protections for LGBTQ people.^[ [link removed] ]

These are collaborators, not guardians of justice – and Republicans are
rushing to confirm them.

We’re working around the clock to stop this. We’re briefing senators,
rallying public opposition, and pushing back hard. But we need your help.

[3]We’re $13,719 short of our goal – and time is running out. Help us stop
Trump’s takeover of the courts. >>

If Trump succeeds, the courts won’t be a check on power. They’ll be a tool
of it.

Thank you for your support,

People For the American Way

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[4]DONATE NOW

Sources:

[1] [5]"The 96% Rebellion: District Courts Mount Historic Resistance, But
the Supreme Court Looms" On Data and Democracy, 11/24/25

[2] [6]"May 27, 2025" Letters from an American, 5/28/25

[3] [7]"Trump administration escalates attacks on judges" Axios, 5/29/25

[4] [ [link removed] ]"Karoline Leavitt Says Judges Shouldn’t Have Power Over Trump" The
New Republic, 5/29/25

[5] Favreau, Jon (@jonfavs) "The President re-posts a suggestion from an
adviser that he release “terrorists” near the homes of Supreme Court
justices who’ve merely ruled that the government can’t send people to a
foreign gulag without due process"
[ [link removed] ][link removed] X, 5/17/25

[6] [ [link removed] ]"‘Very Bad News’: Conservative Legal Scholar Slams Trump
Considering His Ex-Lawyer to be a Federal Judge" Mediaite, 5/19/25

[7] [ [link removed] ]"Trump’s First Judicial Nominee Signals Dangerous Direction for
Federal Judiciary" The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights,
5/2/25


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