The sudden falling out between Donald Trump and the Federalist Society is a ruse. Don’t be fooled. Trump is doing what he always does: creating a permission structure within the GOP to seize power and undermine the rule of law. We must not let him succeed.

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June 3, 2025

The sudden falling out between Donald Trump and the Federalist Society is a ruse. Don’t be fooled. Trump is doing what he always does: creating a permission structure within the GOP to seize power and undermine the rule of law. We must not let him succeed.

It is no secret that Trump wants to be a dictator. Over the course of his first months in office, he used his position to claim powers he did not have, purge career civil servants and wage a campaign of retribution and intimidation against his opponents.

Standing in his way has been the courts. Federal judges have not blocked all his actions, but they have proven to be the biggest obstacle to his illegal and unconstitutional power grab. In May alone, Trump and his administration lost over 95% of the cases decided by federal district courts.

Trump has noticed. In recent weeks, the administration’s rhetoric toward the judiciary has become increasingly threatening. Senior officials, including the vice president, have floated the idea that they might not have to comply with court orders. Department of Justice lawyers have become noticeably dismissive and even rude toward the judges they appear before. Judges are increasingly concerned for their physical safety.

Trump is not just losing cases before judges nominated by other presidents. He is losing before judges he selected…

You’re reading a shortened version of Marc’s reaction to the supposed rift between Trump and the Federalist Society’s Leonard Leo. To learn why Marc thinks Trump is picking this fight and what it means for future judicial nominees, upgrade to a premium membership ([link removed] ) and you’ll always receive exclusive analysis like this.

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