Donald Trump went after the judges who blocked his tariff plan, a decision that was later put on hold during an appeal process. He also blamed the Federalist Society, a group known for its conservative legal views, accusing them of misleading him on judicial appointments during his first term.
Through a detailed message he posted on May 29, Trump strongly criticized the U.S. Court of International Trade, where a three-judge panel ruled against his use of an emergency-powers law to enforce tariffs. This post followed his usual pattern of targeting judges who reject parts of his second-term plans.
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“Where exactly did these three judges come from?” Trump wrote. “How could they possibly have caused such harm to the United States?”
Criticism of the Judiciary and Pressure on Legal Institutions
Trump and those around him have applied heavy pressure on the courts for opposing many of his bold and unusual actions under executive power. He often lashes out at judges through his online platforms and has gone as far as threatening to have them removed from office.
Now, Trump is also expressing frustration toward a group that once had a strong relationship with him. This time, his anger extended to the Federalist Society, which had played a major role during his first term by helping him pick judges, including Supreme Court justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.
“I was new in Washington, and people suggested I rely on The Federalist Society to recommend judges,” Trump explained. “I followed that advice openly and without hesitation.”
Attacks on Leonard Leo and New Judicial Appointments
He did not hold back on Leonard Leo, who previously served as the executive vice president of the Federalist Society and now serves as one of its co-chairmen. Trump described Leo as a “bad person.” The organization has not given any immediate response to this accusation.
Trump expressed his dissatisfaction plainly. “I feel deeply let down by The Federalist Society because they misled me on many of the judges I nominated,” he posted.
Looking beyond the group, Trump recently picked someone he trusts personally for a new judicial role. He nominated Emil Bove, who has worked at the Department of Justice and once served as Trump’s personal legal counsel.
