Demand Justice Blasts Dangerous Assault On Judicial Independence To Shield Trump

Press Release / March 31, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2025

CONTACT: [email protected]

Coordinated Attack on Federal Courts Continues Through Sham Hearings Targeting Legitimate Judicial Authority 

Washington, DC– This week, Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate are teeing up political stunts with committee hearings and legislation focused on the use of so-called “nationwide” injunctions–a long-standing judicial power that judges use to pause policies that may be illegal. These hearings come after months of escalating rhetoric against the federal judiciary from prominent Republicans, including direct attacks on judges who have ruled against the President. 

In advance of the hearings, Demand Justice Interim Executive Director Maggie Jo Buchanan released the following statement:

“Top Congressional Republicans are orchestrating this shameless political theater for one reason: to show President Trump that they are willing to intimidate federal judges who are staying true to their oaths to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. This attack follows a disturbing pattern. 

“First, President Trump, Elon Musk, and a wave of Republican lawmakers launched unprecedented coordinated attacks on social media and elsewhere in an attempt to intimidate and harass judges. Second, MAGA policymakers in the House escalated their attacks by filing meritless impeachment articles against federal judges who ruled against the administration’s dangerous and unconstitutional power grabs. Now, they are pushing bad-faith legislation and Congressional action to remove a critical check the judiciary has on the executive branch. 

“Make no mistake–our judiciary must function as our founders intended: as a vital check on executive overreach and abuse of power. This assault on judicial independence strikes at the core values of our nation and should be seen for what it is: an existential threat to our democracy.” 

BACKGROUND

  • On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on how to “rein in federal judges” whose rulings are unfavorable to the President. 
  • On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a similar hearing, with a specific focus on “nationwide injunctions”.
  • Republican Representative Darrell Issa (CA-48) has introduced H.R. 1526 the No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) of 2025, which would effectively end nationwide injunctions. NORRA will receive a House floor vote this week. 
  • Three similar bills have been, or are set to be introduced this week, in the Senate by Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

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