Summary

A federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze federal funding, accusing it of violating a previous court ruling.

The lawsuit, filed by 22 states and D.C., argues the freeze is unconstitutional and causing harm. Trump, JD Vance, and Elon Musk have suggested defying court orders.

The administration appealed the ruling, while legal experts warn officials like the Treasury Secretary could face contempt charges if they ignore it.

The case tests executive power limits and judicial authority.

  • Laser@lemmy.ca
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    12 days ago

    Curious if there will be a “straw that broke the camels back” moment with america and this president or is everything he ever does just going to be taken by the public. Im sure the french would have a guillotine out by now

  • Nightwingdragon@lemmy.world
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    12 days ago

    Ok, the last time he violated a judge’s orders, the charges were much more serious and he was facing potential jail time, both from the criminal trial he was a part of and the gag order imposed on him.

    He all-but told the judge to go fuck himself on a daily basis right outside the courtroom, violated the gag order ten fucking times, and received exactly no punishment. And that was when he was a criminal defendant.

    He’s now President of the United States, has all three branches of government in his back pocket, and was basically anointed as a king by the Supreme Court, who declared he’s all but immune from prosecution.

    And this judge thinks he’s going to obey his orders this time? He told you guys to fuck off on the daily when he was a civilian, and y’all did exactly nothing about it. Now he’s POTUS. The fuck is he planning on doing about it now when he violates his orders again? Send out more orders? Trump could literally tell this guy to go fuck himself and his orders with a chainsaw live on television and there’s fuck-all he can do about it.

        • Serinus@lemmy.world
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          11 days ago

          “and this judge thinks”

          You can’t just bitch any time someone tries to do something. Does this judge think he’s going to single handedly rein in this fascist administration? No, probably not. Should he try anyway? Absolutely.

          We don’t need more Robert Muellers.

      • CileTheSane@lemmy.ca
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        10 days ago

        I want the judge to put in writing actual consequences that will be followed through on when Trump refuses to comply.

    • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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      12 days ago

      It doesn’t even need to go that far. The next step after failure to comply with a court order would be dispatching the US Marshalls. They report to the DoJ, so I’d say that’s pretty unlikely.

      Scholars and pundits are saying that act of inhibiting their own accountability will be the official end of the US government as it was designed, and the official beginning of an authoritarian regime.

      • ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world
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        11 days ago

        That’s the trick though. Contempt of court isn’t the same as breaking a law and doesn’t have the same restrictions. For example, a person can be held in jail for contempt indefinitely without trial until the person yields to the demand of the judge. This sometimes happens to people who refuse to pay child support that the courts know they can afford.

  • henfredemars@infosec.pub
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    12 days ago

    I think the judge is mistaken. This is an official act. That means it’s not constrained by things like rulings. In fact, law just isn’t applicable. They really should put more effort into staying up-to-date. /s

    • LordCrom@lemmy.world
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      12 days ago

      Well, supreme Court already said if it’s an official act, then he is immune. So if he decides a court order but it’s an official act, then he can’t be guilty.

      Great job there scotus

      • gdog05@lemmy.world
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        12 days ago

        I get your point, but just because you and your freedom are immune to prosecution doesn’t mean your money and property are safe from seizure. For example, if it’s believed that Mar-a-Lago was used in the process of a crime, like withholding documents or discussing illegal things, then it can be seized in civil asset forfeiture and Trump would have to prove his innocence to get it back. Same with his money. I think it’s possible in the current context to find a judge willing to try this. I have no idea how the execution of such an order would play out. But there are still interesting cards unplayed.

        • pivot_root@lemmy.world
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          12 days ago

          I have no idea how the execution of such an order would play out.

          It wouldn’t. The order would get appealed, the appeal would be slow walked so it wouldn’t be executed in a timely manner, and eventually, it would find its way to the supreme kangaroo court and be deemed unconstitutional to seize the assets of the acting president for life.

    • Placebonickname@lemmy.world
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      12 days ago

      I’m not saying you’re wrong in your opinion here, but I am gonna ask what happens if Trump does not comply with a federal judge’s order or the order from a state judge that would have implications and federal rulings?

      I think the courts already determined that you can’t prosecute a sitting president, are there no repercussions?

  • meowmeowbeanz@sh.itjust.works
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    12 days ago

    So the circus continues. Another day, another contempt-of-decency performance from the executive branch’s greatest hits. McConnell’s ruling isn’t just a legal smackdown—it’s a neon sign flashing “constitutional arson in progress.”

    Funny how “irreparable harm” gets shrugged off like a minor paperwork error. The admin’s playbook? Gaslight, obstruct, project until the courts buckle under sheer audacity. Democracy’s not just teetering—it’s doing backflips off a cliff while they bet on which branch breaks first.

  • Sanctus@lemmy.world
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    12 days ago

    Ya’ll have primed him to ignore your shit because nothing serious has ever happened to him from the courts. You fucking baffoons. Lay in your bed.

  • Grandwolf319@sh.itjust.works
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    10 days ago

    Hahahaha,

    Remember when SCOTUS gave ambiguous power of a king to the president?

    Looks like there is gonna be more power struggle than previously implied.

  • MacGuffin94@lemmy.world
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    12 days ago

    If a judge can garnish my wages or dictate the terms of a company bankruptcy settlement then they should be able to take control of the payments relevant to their ruling.