In Washington, high-ranking officials from the Trump administration are openly questioning the judicial branch’s role in keeping executive power in check, amid increasing opposition from the courts to the new president’s extensive agenda.
In a surprising turn of events over the last day, prominent figures, including billionaire Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance, have criticized a federal judge’s ruling from early Saturday that prevents Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing records from the Treasury Department. The backlash has escalated to questioning the legitimacy of judicial oversight, which is a cornerstone of the American democracy rooted in the principle of separation of powers.
Vance took to social media early Sunday to express his feelings, stating, “If a judge tried to dictate how a general should conduct military operations, that would be against the law. Similarly, if a judge attempted to direct the attorney general on prosecutorial discretion, that’s also illegal. Judges do not have the authority to oversee legitimate powers of the executive,” he wrote on X.
Hours earlier, Musk chimed in with strong remarks about the judge, suggesting immediate impeachment. “A corrupt judge safeguarding corruption. He should be impeached NOW!” Musk declared. He is currently assisting President Donald Trump in efforts to eliminate inefficiencies in the federal government.
Musk also shared a tweet from another user who advocated for the Trump administration to ignore the court order, expressing some discomfort with setting a precedent for defying court rulings while questioning the options left by judges.
The court order in question bars Musk’s team from temporarily accessing a system that stores critical personal data, including Social Security numbers and banking information for millions. Musk’s representatives argue their efforts are aligned with Trump’s goal of identifying waste and abuse in government operations.
Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller condemned the ruling, labeling it “an attack on the essence of democracy.” He elaborated on the perceived encroachment of “rogue bureaucrats” who he claimed are unelected and possess job security, noting their growing power over federal governance.
The judicial opposition coincides with the administration’s attempts to dismantle federal agencies and reduce the federal workforce, which have encountered judicial delays. Courts have intervened to temporarily halt Trump’s efforts to orchestrate large-scale federal buyouts, pause USAID employee placements, and move forward with an executive order aimed at revoking birthright citizenship for those born in the country.
On Saturday, U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction following a lawsuit from 19 Democratic attorneys general, who alleged the administration violated federal law by granting Musk’s team access to the Treasury’s central payment system.
Trump shared his disappointment with this legal decision while aboard Air Force One, remarking, “We’re quite disheartened by judges making such rulings, but we still have a long way to go. No judge should have the authority to make that kind of decision.”
The payment system in question processes numerous financial transactions, including tax refunds and veterans’ benefits, and oversees significant amounts of sensitive financial data. A court hearing is scheduled for February 14.
Democrats are raising alarms about Musk and Trump’s measures to halt previously allocated government spending, stressing that Congress holds the authority over budget expenditures, as dictated by the Constitution. “This could be the gravest constitutional crisis since Watergate,” cautioned Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn., during a television interview. “This moment is a critical alert for the nation to recognize that our democracy is under threat.”
Murphy also raised concerns about the courts’ preparedness to tackle the rapid pace of these constitutional challenges, emphasizing the need for comprehensive public engagement and opposition to halt actions that favor wealthy individuals.
Republicans showcased a unified front behind the president on Sunday, with Ohio Representative Jim Jordan criticizing the court ruling regarding the Treasury Department. He maintained that the president should have the autonomy to implement his agenda without restrictions.
“I expect this will play out in court like the other several decisions we’ve seen recently. We anticipated such moves from the left, and we knew Democrats would push back,” Jordan remarked while speaking to CNN.
