Marketplace All-in-One Trump vs. the courts
Jan 13, 2026
Kyle Cheney, a legal affairs reporter for Politico, joins to delve into the ongoing legal struggles surrounding Donald Trump. He highlights how Trump's push for control over the judiciary has reshaped the legal landscape, discussing the Supreme Court's stance on tariffs and the Justice Department's investigation into Jerome Powell. Cheney also explores the surprising rifts within the GOP regarding Trump’s influence and how lower courts have had mixed success in challenging his policies. It's a compelling look at the intersection of law and politics during a tumultuous time.
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Second Term Rewrites Accountability
- Trump's return to power lets him attempt to undo accountability from January 6 by targeting those who pursued him.
- Kyle Cheney says this emboldens pushing constitutional boundaries without consequences.
Relying On The Supreme Court As A Backstop
- The administration repeatedly tests legal limits expecting the Supreme Court to back it.
- Cheney notes that strategy has often worked in the second term, reshaping agencies and rules.
Fed Probe Triggered Unusual Republican Pushback
- The DOJ inquiry into Fed Chair Jerome Powell looked overtly political and alarmed unusual GOP critics.
- Cheney says pushback came quickly because it looked like pressure to remove Fed independence.