Republicans attack court system to bolster Trump's power

Some Republican House members are now claiming that they did not know the text below to undermine democracy was included in the 1,038-page bill they approved on a 215-214 vote.

The Republican budget bill includes this direct attack on the independence of the judicial system.

The New York Times said the language would “limit the power of federal judges to hold people in contempt, potentially shielding President Trump and members of his administration from the consequences of violating court orders.”

Writing for Just Security, Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, said:

“This would be a stunning restriction on the power of the federal courts. The Supreme Court has long recognized that the contempt power is integral to the authority of the federal courts.  Without the ability to enforce judicial orders, they are rendered mere advisory opinions which parties are free to disregard.”

Rep. Nick³ Begich has not mentioned this provision, but has praised the bill as a landmark achievement.

Twenty-one Democrats signed this letter calling for the language to be removed, saying that “courts could find themselves powerless to hold administrations — of either party — responsible for breaking the law, even after they have been found liable.”

“It strikes at the very core of judicial authority that is granted in our Constitution,” they said.