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The five liberal courts that tied Trump’s hands before SCOTUS clipped their power

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Original Story by Fox News
June 29, 2025
The five liberal courts that tied Trump’s hands before SCOTUS clipped their power

Context:

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that district judges cannot impose nationwide injunctions, a decision celebrated by President Trump as it curtails the power of lower courts to block his administration's policies. This ruling follows a pattern where five liberal-leaning district courts were responsible for the majority of injunctions against Trump's agenda. Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted the strategic use of these injunctions by liberal judges to halt Trump's policies, which were issued at a significantly higher rate compared to previous administrations. The injunctions have been a point of contention as they affect policies on immigration, diversity programs, and other executive orders. Trump's administration faced an unprecedented number of nationwide injunctions, which had become a significant obstacle to his governance, prompting the push for this Supreme Court decision.

Dive Deeper:

  • The Supreme Court's decision was a 6-3 ruling that district judges, who are the lowest-level jurists in the federal system, cannot issue nationwide injunctions, a practice that had been frequently used to block Trump's executive orders.

  • Attorney General Pam Bondi noted that out of 40 nationwide injunctions issued since Trump reclaimed the White House, 35 originated from five district courts in Maryland, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, California, and Washington state.

  • Nationwide injunctions have a far-reaching impact as they prevent the federal government from implementing policies across the entire country, not just affecting the parties involved in a court case.

  • The Trump administration was subjected to an unprecedented number of injunctions, facing 64 out of the 127 total issued since 1963, which starkly contrasts with the collective 32 injunctions faced by the Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations.

  • Conservatives have accused the Left of using these injunctions as a strategy of 'lawfare' by filing cases in liberal judicial districts with Democratic-appointed judges, leading to sweeping injunctions that hampered Trump's federal policies.

  • The Maryland district court, for example, issued an injunction against Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship, among other controversial executive orders, showcasing the significant role these courts played in challenging Trump's policies.

  • The Supreme Court's ruling is seen by Trump as a victory for the Constitution and a restoration of the separation of powers, aiming to prevent what he described as judicial overreach that undermines democratic processes.

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