The White House expressed strong criticism on Wednesday regarding recent court decisions that have gone against the Trump administration, labeling the judges as “judicial activists” and suggesting that these rulings could create a “constitutional crisis.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt voiced this opinion as she tackled the backlash against President Donald Trump’s aggressive measures aimed at reducing the size of government and cutting federal spending.
“We believe these judges are acting as judicial activists rather than honest arbiters of the law,” Leavitt stated firmly.
Since the beginning of his second term, Trump’s ambitious agenda to transform the federal government and deliver on his campaign promises has faced over 50 lawsuits, resulting in several temporary injunctions against his policies. High-ranking officials in the administration have been vocal in questioning the legitimacy of judicial checks on presidential authority, which is a vital component of the United States’ democratic framework that emphasizes the separation of powers.
With Congress currently under Republican control, scrutiny on the judicial branch has increased, particularly as lawmakers have largely supported Trump’s unilateral moves, including dismissing inspectors general.
When questioned about the authority of courts to issue comprehensive injunctions on Trump’s directives, Leavitt argued that these rulings “have no basis in the law” and are “groundless.” She assured that while the administration would follow court orders, they are confident they would ultimately be proven right.
“This situation is part of a broader, organized effort by Democratic activists, which continues the misuse of legal avenues against President Trump,” she added, referring to the former president’s personal legal battles, including his recent conviction in a New York trial.
Court rulings have, at least temporarily, hindered Trump’s attempts to abolish birthright citizenship, allow billionaire Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency access to Treasury Department records, and to initiate a mass resignation policy for federal employees.
Musk, who has been granted extensive authority by Trump to reduce the size of the federal government, took to social media to express outrage, suggesting that judges against the administration should face impeachment. “A corrupt judge protecting corruption. He needs to be impeached NOW!” Musk commented about the judge involved in the Treasury case. Additionally, Vice President JD Vance stated on X, “If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal. If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, that’s also illegal. Judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.”
As legal challenges stack up, concerns are surfacing about whether Trump will adhere to court mandates as he seeks to push the boundaries of presidential authority. On Tuesday, Trump indicated that he would comply with court orders but hinted at the possibility of a response, labeling their actions a “violation.”
“It seems hard to believe that a judge could say, ‘We don’t want you to do that.’ So maybe we have to look at the judges because that’s very serious, I think it’s a very serious violation,” he remarked.
Leavitt reiterated that Trump’s team is prepared to “pursue every legal option to ultimately overturn these radical injunctions and ensure President Trump’s policies can be implemented,” she concluded.
