The Supreme Court heard nearly three hours of oral arguments on November 5, 2025, in the consolidated cases Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections, addressing whether the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) authorizes President Trump to unilaterally impose …
Donald TrumpSupreme CourtSupreme CourtTariffsEmergency PowersSeparation of PowersIEEPA
On October 29, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court took the rare step of requesting additional briefing in a high-profile emergency case challenging President Trump’s federalization of the National Guard in Chicago for immigration enforcement, signaling the Court is grappling with fundamental …
April PerryDonald TrumpJB PritzkerSupreme Courtchicagoconstitutional-crisisfederalismfederalizationmilitarization+5 more
On October 15, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg issued an internal memo barring nearly all Defense Department personnel, including military commanders, from communicating with Congress or state lawmakers without prior approval from the Pentagon’s office …
Pete HegsethSteve FeinbergPentagoncongressional-oversightseparation-of-powerspentagonobstructionmilitary-accountability
The Supreme Court voted 6-3 along ideological lines to allow Trump to freeze $4 billion in congressionally-approved foreign aid targeting UN development assistance, international peacekeeping, and humanitarian programs. Trump used a ‘pocket rescission’—a Nixon-era tactic not deployed …
Supreme CourtDonald TrumpElena KaganMike JohnsonGAOconstitutional-crisissupreme-courtcongressional-oversightexecutive-overreachforeign-aid+1 more
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a rush appeal deciding whether President Trump acted lawfully in firing board members leading independent federal agencies, setting up oral arguments for December 2025. The case will reconsider the landmark 1935 precedent Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, …
Supreme CourtDonald TrumpRebecca SlaughterFederal Trade CommissionBrett Kavanaughsupreme-courtjudiciarycourtsexecutive-powerindependent-agencies+3 more
Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, changed chamber rules to allow confirmation of Trump’s sub-Cabinet, ambassador, and executive branch nominees in batches rather than individually, drastically reducing oversight and debate. The ’nuclear option’ procedural …
John ThuneSenate RepublicansDonald Trumpinstitutional-capturesenate-rules-changesappointment-accountabilityseparation-of-powers
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, allowed President Trump to fire Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter before her term ends, overturning nearly 90 years of regulatory independence precedent established in …
Chief Justice John RobertsDonald TrumpRebecca SlaughterSupreme CourtFederal Trade Commissioninstitutional-captureregulatory-captureconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powers
Trump invoked ‘pocket rescission’ to unilaterally claw back nearly $5 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid from the State Department and USAID, circumventing Congress’s constitutional authority over federal appropriations. Pocket rescission is a controversial executive …
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought inserted political conditions into over 100 budget accounts, blocking billions in congressionally appropriated funds from being spent according to legislative intent. Vought’s OMB added requirements such as ideological loyalty tests, …
Russell VoughtOffice of Management and BudgetTrumpCongressexecutive-overreachconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powerscongressional-authoritybudget-manipulation
According to Washington Post analysis, the Trump administration has been accused of flouting courts in about a third of more than 160 lawsuits where judges issued substantive rulings against them. CNN reports the administration is “at war with the federal judiciary,” evading court orders …
Trump AdministrationFederal JudiciaryU.S. District Judge James BoasbergU.S. District Judge John McConnellJudge Paula Xinisconstitutional-crisiscourt-defiancerule-of-law-breakdownsystematic-non-compliancejudicial-authority+1 more
House Appropriations Committee advanced a Legislative Branch bill on June 27, 2025, proposing to cut the Government Accountability Office (GAO) budget by nearly 50% and limiting its ability to enforce impoundment laws. The cuts would cripple Congress’s primary watchdog agency responsible for …
House Appropriations CommitteeGAO (Government Accountability Office)Senate Appropriations CommitteeHouse RepublicansGene Dodarobudgetcongressoversightgaoimpoundment+3 more
In June 2025, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Judicial Independence, Margaret Satterthwaite, released a groundbreaking report documenting systematic attacks on the U.S. federal judiciary. The report detailed executive branch efforts to intimidate judges, including public denigration, …
Margaret SatterthwaiteUN Special RapporteurSupreme Court JusticesSen. Cory BookerDepartment of Justice+1 morejudicial-independenceconstitutional-crisisintimidationseparation-of-powersinternational-human-rights+1 more
Federal judges across multiple courts ruled that President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose unilateral tariffs was illegal and exceeded presidential authority. On May 29, 2025, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras granted a preliminary …
Donald TrumpRudolph ContrerasU.S. Court of International TradeSupreme Courtjudicial-pushbackemergency-powersexecutive-overreachtrade-policyconstitutional-crisis+1 more
Ongoing federal court cases challenge the president’s authority to unilaterally federalize state National Guard units, with multiple states filing legal challenges to Trump’s deployment of California’s National Guard. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the president …
Supreme CourtState GovernorsDepartment of DefenseCalifornia GovernorNew York Attorney General Letitia James+1 morenational-guardconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powersfederal-state-relations
A consortium of constitutional law experts published a comprehensive analysis revealing systematic undermining of judicial review processes. The report documented unprecedented instances of executive branch noncompliance with court orders, highlighting a critical breakdown in the traditional checks …
Constitutional Law ScholarsFederal JudiciaryExecutive BranchAmanda FrostKristin Hickmanjudicial-reviewconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powersaccountability
ICE agents arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on May 9, 2025, while he attempted to join three Democratic members of Congress conducting an oversight visit to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center. Over 20 armed ICE officers surrounded and arrested Baraka on public property after he had already left …
The Trump administration initiated unprecedented moves to remove federal judges deemed obstructionist, invoking rarely used judicial review procedures. Multiple federal circuit courts issued emergency injunctions, creating a complex legal standoff that threatened judicial independence and separation …
Trump AdministrationFederal JudiciaryDepartment of JusticeWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavittjudicial-independenceconstitutional-crisisexecutive-overreachfederal-judiciaryseparation-of-powers
A series of federal court rulings reveals systemic weaknesses in holding the executive branch accountable. Multiple circuit courts issue conflicting opinions on subpoena enforcement, executive privilege, and criminal investigations, demonstrating a fundamental breakdown in traditional checks and …
Federal Circuit CourtsDepartment of JusticePresidential Administrationjudicial-reviewconstitutional-crisisexecutive-accountabilityseparation-of-powers
President Trump attempted to federalize the California National Guard without Governor Newsom’s consent, sparking a major constitutional showdown. A federal court issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the deployment and challenging the president’s authority under Title 10, …
Donald TrumpGavin NewsomPete HegsethCharles BreyerLetitia James+2 morenational-guardconstitutional-crisisexecutive-powerseparation-of-powersfederal-state-conflict+1 more
A consolidated panel of federal judges heard critical arguments challenging the president’s authority to federalize and deploy National Guard units across multiple states. The hearings revealed profound constitutional tensions surrounding emergency powers, state sovereignty, and executive …
Federal JudiciaryNational GuardState GovernorsExecutive BranchU.S. District Judge Karin Immergut+4 morenational-guardconstitutional-crisismilitary-authorityseparation-of-powersexecutive-overreach+2 more
In an unprecedented response to mounting threats and potential constitutional crisis, federal judges convened emergency discussions in March 2025 to address challenges to judicial independence. The Judicial Conference, the national policymaking body for federal courts, held closed-door meetings …
Federal Judiciary LeadershipJudge Richard SullivanU.S. Marshals ServiceJudicial Conference LeadershipFederal District Court Judges+1 morejudicial-independenceconstitutional-crisisjudicial-securityseparation-of-powersthreat-management
The Supreme Court heard critical arguments challenging President Trump’s authority to unilaterally federalize state National Guard units during the 2025 constitutional crisis. At least 23 Republican-led states support the deployment, while 22 Democratic-led states oppose it. The case centers …
Supreme CourtTrump AdministrationState GovernorsBrian SchwalbCalifornia Governor+1 morenational-guardconstitutional-crisisexecutive-powerseparation-of-powerslegal-challenge+1 more
Chief Justice John Roberts led a critical federal judicial conference highlighting unprecedented challenges to judicial independence. Roberts warned about four major threats: escalating violence against judges, intimidation tactics, disinformation spread through social media, and potential political …
Chief Justice John RobertsChief Judge James BoasbergFederal JudiciarySupreme CourtU.S. Marshals Servicejudicial-independenceconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powersjudicial-securityrule-of-law
In a landmark series of cases, federal courts grappled with complex emoluments clause violations by the Trump administration. Multiple district and appellate courts issued conflicting rulings, exposing deep systemic challenges in holding executive branch officials accountable for foreign financial …
Federal JudiciaryTrump AdministrationDepartment of JusticeSupreme Courtconstitutional-crisisemolumentsjudicial-reviewseparation-of-powers
In February 2025, the Supreme Court and federal district courts reached a critical impasse over presidential emoluments enforcement. Following a pattern established in previous cases, the Court repeatedly declined to resolve substantive questions about Trump’s potential constitutional …
Supreme CourtFederal District CourtsTrump Administrationconstitutional-crisisemolumentsjudicial-reviewseparation-of-powerssupreme-court+1 more
In a 6-3 decision on June 27, 2024, the Court held the Seventh Amendment requires jury trials when the SEC seeks civil penalties for securities fraud, ending the agency’s use of in-house administrative law judge proceedings for such cases. Chief Justice Roberts’ majority opinion found …
Supreme Court of the United StatesSecurities and Exchange CommissionChief Justice John Roberts (majority opinion)Justice Neil Gorsuch (concurring)Justice Clarence Thomas (concurring)+4 moreadministrative-lawcourtsenforcementseventh-amendmentjury-trial-rights+3 more
President Obama directly criticizes Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision during State of the Union Address, with Justice Samuel Alito visibly shaking his head and mouthing ’not true’ in unprecedented breach of judicial protocol
Barack ObamaSamuel AlitoJohn RobertsRuth Bader GinsburgStephen Breyer+2 moreconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powersjudicial-independencecampaign-financepresidential-criticism+2 more
President Bush signs the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution, marking the successful culmination of WHIG’s systematic campaign to bypass constitutional separation of powers through coordinated congressional deception. The signed authorization represents not …
George W. BushWhite House Iraq GroupU.S. CongressConstitutional FrameworkAndrew Card+4 morewhigconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powersexecutive-powercongressional-manipulation+4 more
Congress passes the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution based on the systematically manipulated intelligence provided by the White House Iraq Group, representing the successful completion of WHIG’s campaign to corrupt legislative war powers. The House votes 296-133 …
White House Iraq GroupU.S. House of RepresentativesU.S. SenateHillary ClintonJohn Kerry+6 morewhigiraq-war-authorizationcongressional-deceptionconstitutional-crisisseparation-of-powers+3 more
The White House Iraq Group implements a systematic campaign to withhold contradictory intelligence assessments from congressional committees, ensuring legislators vote for war based on incomplete and misleading information. WHIG coordinates with intelligence agencies to suppress dissenting analysis, …
White House Iraq GroupStephen HadleyScooter LibbyGeorge TenetDepartment of Energy+5 morewhigintelligence-suppressioncongressional-deceptioninformation-controlconstitutional-violation+3 more
The White House Iraq Group coordinates the delivery of systematically fabricated intelligence briefings to congressional intelligence committees, setting the foundation for legislative manipulation. Working through CIA Director George Tenet and National Security Council staff, WHIG ensures that key …
White House Iraq GroupGeorge TenetStephen HadleyScooter LibbyCongressional Intelligence Committee+2 morewhigcongressional-deceptionintelligence-manipulationseparation-of-powersconstitutional-violation+2 more
The White House Iraq Group (WHIG), established in August 2002, coordinated a comprehensive campaign to present intelligence about Iraq to congressional leaders. A Senate Intelligence Committee investigation found that intelligence claims about Iraq’s weapons capabilities and potential threats …
Karl RoveDick CheneyCondoleezza RiceLewis 'Scooter' LibbyAndrew Card+1 morewhigcongressional-deceptionintelligence-manipulationseparation-of-powersiraq-war+1 more
In September 2002, the White House Iraq Group (WHIG) systematically coordinated efforts to manipulate congressional intelligence briefings, using legislative liaison Nicholas Calio to present fabricated and exaggerated intelligence claims about Iraq’s weapons capabilities. By strategically …
Karl RoveNicholas E. CalioKaren HughesMary MatalinJames R. Wilkinson+1 morewhigcongressional-deceptionclassified-briefingswar-authorizationseparation-of-powers+2 more