http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/laura/courts-hammer-white-house-s440.pngJudges have courageously upheld the rule of law by blocking President Trump’s unconstitutional policies, such as attempts to ban transgender individuals from military service and to end birthright citizenship, serving as essential checks on executive overreach.

LAKE GENEVA, WI - For years, I’ve been afraid that no one was going to stop Donald Trump. I’ve watched in horror as he bulldozes through every legal and ethical norm, lying, inciting violence, and doing everything in his power to dismantle democracy. Meanwhile, Republicans—who should know better—either cower in fear or cling to him out of political necessity. They won’t act, no matter how blatant his abuses become.

But at least some federal judges can see the danger and are stepping up. I hope it will be enough.

Take U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who blocked Trump’s executive order banning transgender individuals from military service. In her ruling, she pointed out the “cruel irony” of denying rights to the very people who have sacrificed to defend this country. Unlike Trump and his enablers, Reyes recognizes the value of service over political gamesmanship. (AP News)

Another example is Judge Theodore Chuang, who issued an injunction against Trump’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). His ruling emphasized that the administration’s actions likely violated the Constitution. It’s yet another example of Trump trying to reshape the government to fit his authoritarian whims—cutting off funding to programs he doesn’t like, disregarding the law, and expecting no consequences. (The Guardian)

Judge Tanya Chutkan also stood firm, rejecting Trump’s motion to dismiss an indictment related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. She made it clear: presidential immunity does not shield a former president from prosecution for actions beyond official duties. Imagine that—having to actually answer for crimes committed while in office! What a radical concept. (Wikipedia)

Then there’s Judge Leo Sorokin, who issued a nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship. He rightly stated that the order “conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment.” That’s not an opinion—it’s just fact. But facts have never been a strong suit for Trump and his followers. (Wikipedia)

And let’s not forget U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who put a temporary restraining order on Trump’s deportation flights under the Alien Enemies Act. Yet, the administration went ahead with deportations anyway, essentially telling the judiciary to shove it. That alone should terrify every American. A president ignoring court orders is how democracy collapses. (AP News)

Even Chief Justice John Roberts, no liberal by any stretch, rejected Trump’s call for the impeachment of a judge who ruled against his deportation scheme. Roberts reminded everyone that impeachment should not be used as a political weapon against judges who simply apply the law. This shouldn’t even be a controversial statement, but here we are. (AP News)

These judges are doing what elected Republicans refuse to do—acting as a necessary check on a man who has proven, time and again, that he has no respect for democracy, the rule of law, or even basic human decency. Their rulings are a lifeline, a sign that not every branch of gove has fallen to his corruption.

But will it be enough? That’s the question that keeps me up at night. Because as much as I admire these judges for taking a stand, Trump’s loyalists are still out there, pushing his agenda, making excuses, and setting the stage for his return to power. The courts are holding the line for now, but the real test will come in November. If Americans don’t wake up and reject him once and for all, there may not be enough judges left to stop what happens next.