KQED's Forum ACLU’s National Legal Director Cecillia Wang on Taking Trump to Court
Nov 25, 2025
Cecillia Wang, the National Legal Director of the ACLU, leads discussions on pivotal civil liberties challenges in the current political landscape. She highlights the ACLU's 111 lawsuits against the Trump administration, focusing on issues from birthright citizenship to deportation. Wang emphasizes litigation as a critical tool for protecting rights, alongside public advocacy. She also addresses threats to LGBTQ+ rights and academic freedom, urging for legal safeguards against federal overreach. Her insights offer a call to action for preserving civil liberties.
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Second-Term Escalation Of Executive Power
- Cecillia Wang says Trump's second term weaponizes executive power with 'shock and awe' tactics against communities and institutions.
- She highlights use of federal forces, harsh immigration moves, and attacks on media, judges, and universities as novel escalations.
Court Review Remains A Crucial Check
- Wang explains Trump often claims courts have no role reviewing executive power but federal courts have repeatedly disagreed.
- She notes the president tests limits by throwing many policies into litigation to see what sticks.
Pair Lawsuits With Public Mobilization
- Wang urges combining litigation with public mobilization, including marches and local advocacy to resist federal policies.
- She advises channeling court outcomes into grassroots pressure on mayors, sheriffs, and lawmakers.