President Donald Trump finally issued a public statement on Truth Social about the lawsuits seeking to strike down his "reciprocal tariffs" on Thursday evening — not just attacking the judiciary but specifically going after the Federalist Society, blaming it for influencing the judges who ruled against him.
Trump's tariffs were ruled unlawful by the U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday, and while that ruling is currently on hold due to an appellate court stepping in, some legal experts believe conservatives on the judiciary will ultimately not bail Trump out.
"Where do these initial three Judges come from?" wrote Trump. "How is it possible for them to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of 'TRUMP?' What other reason could it be? I was new to Washington, and it was suggested that I use The Federalist Society as a recommending source on Judges. I did so, openly and freely, but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real 'sleazebag' named Leonard Leo, a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America, and obviously has his own separate ambitions. He openly brags how he controls Judges, and even Justices of the United States Supreme Court — I hope that is not so, and don’t believe it is! In any event, Leo left The Federalist Society to do his own 'thing.'"
The Federalist Society is a notorious right-wing legal group that has established a "pipeline" for conservative lawyers to the federal bench. Trump relied extensively on advice from the group, and Leo, in his prolific judicial appointments in his first term, but in his second term he has focused more on nominating personal loyalists to judgeships, like his former attorney Emil Bove.
"I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations," Trump continued. "This is something that cannot be forgotten! With all of that being said, I am very proud of many of our picks, but very disappointed in others. They always must do what’s right for the Country!"
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He then went on to rage about how unfair it was that he might have tariff powers taken away from him.
"Backroom 'hustlers' must not be allowed to destroy our Nation!" wrote Trump. "The horrific decision stated that I would have to get the approval of Congress for these Tariffs. In other words, hundreds of politicians would sit around D.C. for weeks, and even months, trying to come to a conclusion as to what to charge other Countries that are treating us unfairly. If allowed to stand, this would completely destroy Presidential Power — The Presidency would never be the same! This decision is being hailed all over the World by every Country, other than the United States of America. Radical Left Judges, together with some very bad people, are destroying America."
"Under this decision, Trillions of Dollars would be lost by our Country, money that will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," he added. "It would be the harshest financial ruling ever leveled on us as a Sovereign Nation. The President of the United States must be allowed to protect America against those that are doing it Economic and Financial harm. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
