How Trump is using the courts to get what he wants - and changing the shape of presidential power

In May 2024, Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, faced a major legal battle in New York City. The case was about hush money paid to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, by Trump’s former lawyer. The jury took two days to decide, and when the verdict came, it was historic: Trump was found guilty on all 34 charges. This made him the first former US president to become a convicted felon. The news was shocking and marked a turning point in American politics.

Trump’s legal troubles didn’t end there. He was facing four criminal cases and several civil lawsuits, all threatening his freedom and his political future. However, the situation shifted dramatically after three important Supreme Court decisions. The first decision gave presidents and former presidents broad immunity from prosecution, making it much harder to charge them with crimes related to their official actions. The second decision allowed Trump to run for president again, even though some argued he should be disqualified for trying to overturn the 2020 election. The third decision limited the power of district judges to block the president’s policies nationwide. These rulings strengthened Trump’s position and made him more confident in challenging the courts.

Trump has often criticized judges who rule against him, calling them names like 'radical left lunatics' and 'crooked. ' His administration has even suggested that some judges should be impeached or sued. This harsh language has led to a rise in threats against judges. According to the US Marshals Service, there have been over 400 threats against nearly 300 judges this year, more than in all of 2022. Some threats are especially disturbing, such as fake pizza deliveries using the name of a judge’s deceased son, a reminder of a tragic attack on a judge’s family. Judges say that when leaders use inflammatory language, it can encourage dangerous behavior from the public.

Trump’s approach to governing has relied heavily on executive orders. On his first day in office, he signed 26 orders, and by July, he had signed over 140. This is more than President Joe Biden signed in four years and almost as many as President Obama signed in eight years. Executive orders are legal under the US Constitution, but they can be challenged in court if people believe they go too far. Many of Trump’s orders have been blocked by judges, especially when they touch on important constitutional issues like citizenship rights. However, the Supreme Court’s recent decision makes it harder for judges to issue nationwide blocks on presidential actions.

Some in Trump’s administration argue that judges are overstepping their authority and blocking the will of the people. They claim that 'activist' judges are interfering with the president’s ability to carry out policies that voters want. However, many judges and legal experts say that the courts are simply doing their job by upholding the law and the Constitution. They warn that undermining the courts could upset the balance of power between the president, Congress, and the judiciary.

The struggle between Trump and the courts is ongoing. Even after the Supreme Court limited the power of district judges, some have continued to block Trump’s executive orders, especially on issues like immigration and citizenship. Critics worry that Trump’s actions are weakening the system of checks and balances that has kept American democracy stable for centuries. Supporters argue that he is fighting against an unfair judicial system. The outcome of this battle will have lasting effects on the presidency and the future of American government.