House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is planning a bold move to defund what he views as “anti-MAGA” judges who have been blocking key elements of President Donald Trump’s policies.
As a staunch ally of the former president, Jordan is frustrated by what he perceives as political district judges halting executive actions designed to reduce government spending, deport illegal aliens, and freeze foreign aid.
A Rising Number of Injunctions Against Trump’s Initiatives
Since Trump took office, there have been a staggering 15 lower court injunctions pausing White House initiatives—a number that surpasses the total injunctions issued during Joe Biden’s term (14) and Barack Obama’s combined two terms (12).
These injunctions have put a halt to numerous presidential actions, drawing sharp criticism from Trump, who has referred to the judges as “radical” and their rulings as “unlawful.”
Jordan Weighs Congressional Action to Respond to Court Orders
Jordan is considering several tactics to push back, telling DailyMail.com that “everything’s on the table” when it comes to crafting a congressional response to these district judges’ rulings.
This could involve legislation aimed at limiting the power of district court judges or using congressional hearings to hold them accountable for their decisions.
Additionally, as a key player in Congress, Jordan has the power to influence the structure and funding of lower federal courts.
Exploring Defunding Courts and Restructuring Funding
Jordan revealed that he has already had discussions with Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., and other lawmakers about how Congress can reorganize the funding of courts.
He is considering various options, including the possibility of defunding certain courts or eliminating them altogether.
However, Jordan made it clear that he is not in favor of cutting funding for court security, especially after the harassment Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh faced following the Dobbs abortion ruling.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s Support for Restructuring the Courts
Jordan’s strategy aligns with a recent statement from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who noted that Congress has the authority to “eliminate” entire district courts.
Jordan appears to be on the same page, viewing the restructuring of court funding as one of the most direct ways to challenge what he believes are politically motivated court decisions that hinder the Trump agenda.
Focus on District Judge James Boasberg
In addition to his defunding efforts, Jordan has a hearing scheduled for next week with district judge James Boasberg, who has become a target for Republicans after issuing an injunction against the Trump administration’s deportations of Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act.
Trump has gone so far as to call for Boasberg’s impeachment, accusing him of obstructing the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Jordan discussed his plans for the hearing with Trump at the NCAA Wrestling Championship in Ohio, where the two mostly chatted about wrestling but also touched on the Boasberg case.
Additional Judges in Jordan’s Crosshairs
Boasberg isn’t the only judge Jordan wants to hold accountable.
He has also expressed a desire to bring multiple other judges to Capitol Hill, particularly those whose decisions are seen as limiting the scope of Trump’s policies.
Jordan has singled out district judge John James McConnell Jr., who ruled in favor of 22 states and the District of Columbia, reinstating federal grants and loans that the Trump administration had frozen.
Republican lawmakers have already introduced articles of impeachment against McConnell, as well as against district judge Theodore Chuang, who recently ruled against the dismantling of USAID.
Jordan’s aggressive stance signals a deeper conflict between the judicial branch and Republican lawmakers determined to push through Trump’s vision for the country.
As these battles play out, Jordan’s next steps could dramatically shape the relationship between Congress and the courts in the years to come.