The Political Scene | The New Yorker
Will Judges Stick Together to Face Trump’s Defiance?
Mar 22, 2025
Michael Waldman, President and C.E.O. of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, discusses the troubling conflicts between Donald Trump and the judiciary. He highlights Trump's public attacks on judges and the implications for judicial independence. The conversation explores the potential for a constitutional crisis, the judiciary's role in checking executive power, and historical precedents of presidential defiance against court rulings. Waldman emphasizes the challenges of maintaining the rule of law amidst escalating political tensions.
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast highlights the unprecedented attacks on the judiciary by Trump, raising concerns about the long-term implications for democracy and rule of law.
- It emphasizes the critical role of judges as necessary checks against executive overreach, especially in the context of controversial actions like deportations.
Deep dives
The Attack on Judicial Independence
The discussion centers on Donald Trump's unprecedented attacks on the judicial branch, where he and his allies openly criticize and threaten judges who oppose their agenda. This includes direct calls for the impeachment of a federal judge, which has drawn significant concern from legal authorities about the implications for democracy and rule of law. The podcast highlights a notable instance where Chief Justice John Roberts felt compelled to warn Trump against such dangerous rhetoric, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. The conversation raises the critical question of whether America's courts can effectively protect themselves from these attacks and uphold the principles of justice.
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