WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump and his top aides are declaring victory over federal judges who have blocked the Republican administration’s policies at unprecedented rates, after the Supreme Court said nationwide decisions from regional judges likely exceed their authority.
“This was a big decision, one that we’re very happy about,” Trump told reporters in a previously-unscheduled White House press conference on June 27. Later, he added, “The Constitution has been brought back.”
The Supreme Court earlier in the day ordered U.S. district court judges to review their orders temporarily blocking Trump policies, in a case about the second-term president’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship for children whose parents were in the country temporarily or without legal authorization.
Trump said he was grateful for the Supreme Court to stop some 700 district court judges from imposing nationwide injunctions. He specifically thanked Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who wrote the decision, and Chief Justice John Roberts.
“These judges have attempted to dictate the law for the entire nation,” Trump said. “This was a colossal abuse of power.”
Appearing alongside Trump at the White House, Attorney General Pam Bondi took aim at what she called “imperial judges” who have tried to block the Trump administration’s policies. She singled out federal judges that ordered 35 of 40 nationwide blocks against Trump’s policies who were in Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Washington and the District of Columbia and noted the high court halted that practice.
“Americans are finally getting what they voted for,” Bondi said. “No longer will we have rogue judges striking down President Trump’s policies across the entire nation.”
The president’s news conference also came as the Senate prepares to debate his major legislative package as soon as this weekend with priorities such as tax cuts and greater spending on border security. The House approved the 1,100-page bill but the Senate parliamentarian has said several key provisions such as restrictions on Medicaid healthcare coverage don’t enjoy special status in that chamber.
Trump: 14th Amendment ‘for the babies of slaves’
Trump said the Supreme Court ruling allows his administration to go back to court and win its case opposing birthright citizenship, which was established under the 14th Amendment just after the Civil War.
“That was meant for the babies of slaves,” he said. “It wasn’t meant for people trying to scam the system and come into the country on a vacation.”
“This lets us go there and finally win that case because hundreds of thousands people are pouring into our country under birthright citizenship,” Trump said. – Erin Mansfield
Bondi: SCOTUS ruling solves ‘bipartisan problem’
Attorney General Pam Bondi touted the Supreme Court ruling as a win not only for Trump, but all presidents.
“These injunctions have allowed district court judges to be emperors,” she said, adding, “This has been a bipartisan problem that has lasted five presidential terms. Five different presidents. And it has ended today.”
National injunctions have plagued Republican and Democratic presidents alike. Former President Barack Obama dealt with 12 during his two terms, former President Joe Biden had 14 in three years.
Trump faced 64 injunctions in his first term, and more than 200 lawsuits have already been filed against the administration in his second. – Savannah Kuchar and Maureen Groppe
‘I have great respect for her’: Trump praises Amy Coney Barrett
More: Trump Republicans lash out at Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett as a DEI hire
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has been targeted by some MAGA activists for siding against President Donald Trump, but the president said he’s happy with her.
Barrett wrote the majority opinion in a 6-3 decision limiting the use of nationwide injunctions by federal courts, something the Trump administration has railed against.
“I have great respect for her, I always have, and her decision was brilliantly written today,” Trump said June 27 during a press conference celebrating the ruling.
Barrett earlier had ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to freeze foreign aide funding, drawing criticism from the right. – Zac Anderson
Trump on tax bill: Senate ‘parliamentarian’s been a little difficult’
Trump during his press conference acknowledged recent setbacks to his “big, beautiful” tax and spending bill as it approaches a critical moment before the Senate.
“The parliamentarian’s been a little difficult,” Trump said, referring to Elizabeth MacDonough, a longtime Senate aide who has served under Democratic and GOP majorities. “And I would say that I disagree with the parliamentarian on some things, and on other ways, she’s been fine.”
MacDonough, a nonpartisan official, has struck a variety of provisions from Trump’s marquee legislation package, setting his self-imposed timeline on shaky ground. – Savannah Kuchar
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump live updates: President to speak after Supreme Court victory
