...
By Alia Shoaib
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump has sharply criticized an influential conservative legal group and its former executive vice president Leonard Leo, blaming them for court rulings that blocked his sweeping tariff agenda.
Trump said that when he was new to Washington, D.C, he was advised to take advice from the Federalist Society in picking judges.
"I did so, openly and freely, but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real 'sleazebag' named Leonard Leo, a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America, and obviously has his own separate ambitions," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.
Read More on Politics
Newsweek has contacted the Federalist Society to seek comment from Leo, who is now listed as a co-chairman of the board, via email on Friday, outside of regular working hours.
...
Why It Matters
Trump's comments reflect his growing frustration with the judiciary, which has continued to pose legal obstacles to parts of his agenda.
With narrow Republican control of both the Senate and the House, federal judges have blocked several of his policies, prompting the president to often sharply attack them.
What To Know
Trump's post followed a ruling on Wednesday from the U.S. Court of International Trade striking down many of his administration's sweeping tariffs. The three judges on the panel, which ruled that the tariffs went beyond the president's power, included one who was appointed by Trump during his first term—Judge Timothy Reif.
However on Thursday, a federal appeals court temporarily suspended the lower court's order, allowing the White House to continue collecting import levies for now.
Trump railed against the three-judge panel in his Truth Social post, writing: "Where do these initial three Judges come from? How is it possible for them to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of 'TRUMP?' What other reason could it be?"
The Federalist Society is a conservative legal group that has played a major behind-the-scenes role in shaping the federal judiciary, particularly under Republican presidents.
Leo helped Trump select his judicial picks during his first term, including for the Supreme Court.
In his Truth Social post, Trump said about Leo: "He openly brags how he controls Judges, and even Justices of the United States Supreme Court—I hope that is not so, and don't believe it is!"
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "Backroom 'hustlers' must not be allowed to destroy our Nation!"
In a statement to the New York Post, Leonard Leo said: "I'm very grateful for President Trump transforming the Federal Courts, and it was a privilege being involved. There's more work to be done, for sure, but the Federal Judiciary is better than it's ever been in modern history, and that will be President Trump's most important legacy."
What Happens Next
The legal battle over Trump's tariffs is ongoing, with the issue widely expected to end up at the Supreme Court.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines