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KQED's Forum

Will Courts be a Check and Balance on Donald Trump?

Feb 10, 2025
Dahlia Lithwick, a senior editor at Slate and host of Amicus, is joined by Jamal Greene, a law professor at Columbia University and former deputy attorney general. They delve into how courts may challenge Trump’s executive orders, particularly on immigration and agency restructuring. Topics include the judiciary's role in upholding the rule of law, the impact of nationwide injunctions on executive power, and concerns about political influence within the Department of Justice. Their discussion raises vital questions about the limits of judicial authority and civil society's crucial role.
57:46

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Quick takeaways

  • The avalanche of lawsuits against Trump's executive orders demonstrates a crucial effort by legal experts to uphold democratic norms threatened by presidential overreach.
  • The ongoing tension between the executive and judicial branches raises significant concerns about compliance with court rulings and the potential for a constitutional crisis.

Deep dives

Trump's Executive Orders and Legal Challenges

Donald Trump's administration has issued numerous executive orders aimed at reshaping governmental policies, particularly concerning immigration and federal agency operations. Legal experts categorize these executive actions into various groups, with significant emphasis on issues such as birthright citizenship, border authority, and operational shifts within agencies like USAID. Countless lawsuits have emerged in response, as attorneys, including state attorneys general and nonprofit counsel, attempt to counteract these executive measures in court. The frequency and diversity of these lawsuits signal ongoing efforts to protect democratic norms against perceived overreach by the executive branch.

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