Congress Seeks Limitations on Nationwide Judge Injunctions Against Trump Administration

The District of Columbia's court reappointment system has been criticized for unconstitutionally usurping the president's authority, as a commission exclusively evaluates judges for reappointment without presidential or Senate approval, raising concerns about separation of powers. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's 1935 decision in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which protected independent agency officials from at-will presidential dismissal, is now being challenged as the Court appears to be curtailing checks on executive power. In response to an unprecedented surge in nationwide injunctions issued by lower courts against President Trump's policies, including attempts to end birthright citizenship, there is growing pressure on the Supreme Court to rein in these injunctions viewed as judicial overreach. Congress is also considering legislative measures to limit federal judges' power to enforce injunctions without requiring bonds, aiming to reduce what some describe as a national crisis of judicial activism obstructing the executive branch. These developments highlight ongoing tensions between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches over appointment powers, judicial authority, and administrative governance.