Overview

• Trump’s Truth Social post lambasted the Federalist Society for “bad advice” on judicial nominations and labeled Leonard Leo a “sleazebag” who “probably hates America.”
• The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled his emergency tariffs unlawful—a decision hailed by New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez—before an appeals court suspended that order to allow continued levy collection.
• He has shifted away from Federalist Society picks and enlisted the MAGA-aligned Article III Project alongside senior White House aides to steer his judicial nominations.
• Former Thomas clerk John Yoo denounced the attack on the Federalist Society as “truly outrageous,” while Leo defended his role in building a conservative federal bench.
• Recent judicial defeats on trade and immigration measures underscore the deepening conflict between Trump’s executive agenda and judicial independence.