Washington, D.C.— President Donald Trump’s escalating war against the judiciary, which has already drawn a rare rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, could spell disaster for his political future, according to a highly respected legal expert.
In a scathing New York Times column published Sunday, retired conservative Judge J. Michael Luttig—who served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit—warned that Trump’s continued efforts to strong-arm the courts into aligning with his political agenda will inevitably backfire, threatening to derail his presidency before it even gains momentum.
Trump’s Judiciary Battle: A Risky Gamble
Luttig’s op-ed, titled “It’s Trump vs. the Courts, and It Won’t End Well for Trump”, outlines the dangers of Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and legal battles against the judiciary.
“He has… yearned for this war against the federal judiciary and the rule of law since his first term in office”, Luttig wrote. “But unless Mr. Trump immediately turns an about-face and beats a fast retreat, not only will he plunge the nation deeper into constitutional crisis, which he appears fully willing to do, he will also find himself increasingly hobbled even before his already vanishing political honeymoon is over”.
Luttig further emphasized the role of an independent judiciary in maintaining constitutional order, echoing Alexander Hamilton’s belief that the courts are “essential” to the nation’s governance.
Chief Justice John Roberts Issues Rare Rebuke
The former judge highlighted Trump’s ongoing conflict with Judge James E. Boasberg, the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, as a prime example of the former president’s hostility toward the legal system.
Trump’s relentless criticism of Boasberg and other judges prompted a rare public statement from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. In a clear warning to Trump, Roberts stated:
“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision”.
The rebuke signaled growing concern within the judicial branch over Trump’s increasingly aggressive stance against legal institutions.
Also Read: Russia’s Mass Drone Assault on Ukraine Kills 7 Ahead of Ceasefire Talks
Luttig: Trump’s Confidence is ‘Deluded’
Luttig did not mince words when describing Trump’s outlook on his legal battles.
“Mr. Trump seems supremely confident, though deludedly so, that he can win this war against the federal judiciary, just as he was deludedly confident that he could win the war he instigated against America’s democracy after the 2020 election”, Luttig wrote.
The former judge warned that if Trump oversteps his legal authority in his confrontation with Judge Boasberg or other courts, the Supreme Court will step in and assert its constitutional power to interpret the law.
“A rebuke from the nation’s highest court in his wished-for war with the nation’s federal courts could well cripple Mr. Trump’s presidency and tarnish his legacy” ,Luttig cautioned.
Legal and Political Fallout Looms
As Trump continues his attacks on the judiciary, legal experts argue that his confrontational approach could backfire, leading to significant legal obstacles and a loss of political capital. With mounting legal challenges and increasing scrutiny from both conservative and liberal justices, Trump may soon find that his battle with the courts is one he cannot win.
