Taming the Runaway Judges: Grassley Takes On Nationwide Injunctions
Judicial authority at risk: Senator voices concern over potential unconstitutional advancement prior to Supreme Court confrontation
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, weighs in on the issue of judicial overreach, advocating for a bill that aims to rein in nationwide injunctions by federal judges.
Grassley spoke out to Digital this week, stating his confidence in putting an end to the trend of unjustified judicial authority.
" Universal injunctions are a blatant misuse of judicial power," declares Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Just recently, a judge in the District of Columbia issued a nationwide injunction to thwart President Donald Trump's executive order mandating voter ID or proof-of-citizenship prior to voting in national elections. This flies in the face of the notion that "judges should be policymakers," Grassley states.
The influx of injunctions challenging Trump policies has sharply doubled compared to past administrations.
"The President of the United States shouldn’t have to vying for approval from over 600 district judges to manage the executive branch they were constitutionally elected to lead," Grassley asserts.
With the Supreme Court set to hear a case on May 15 regarding nationwide injunctions on Trump's order redefining birthright citizenship, Grassley notes the Court's potential impact. The high court "could and should take action."
Meanwhile, Grassley continues his efforts to advance the Judicial Relief Clarification Act (JRCA) alongside Senate colleagues. This bill intends to put an end to nationwide injunctions once and for all. Despite suggestions to force the bill through via the reconciliation process, this would conflict with the Byrd Rule, which bars non-financial bills from using the process, according to sources familiar with the reconciliation process.
In March, Grassley vocalized his concern about the escalating power of judges, following Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin's request for a resolution ordering Trump to adhere to all federal court rulings.
"The President of the United States shouldn't have to beg for approval from individual district judges to function effectively," Grassley stresses.
He adds, "To my Democrat counterparts who share my concern for the overreach of judicial power, I propose we work together to remedy this situation."
Charles Creitz of Digital brings updates on media, politics, and culture. Based in Pennsylvania, Creitz holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Temple University and has been with our outlet since 2013.
With the JRCA in its early stages, it is crucial to keep an eye on its progress as Congress debates the limits of judicial power.
- Senator Chuck Grassley, in his role as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has expressed concerns about the misuse of judicial power through universal injunctions, specifically in the context of challenging policies related to the executive branch.
- Grassley, a Republican senator from Iowa, is advocating for the Judicial Relief Clarification Act (JRCA) to put an end to nationwide injunctions, a bill he is promoting alongside Senate colleagues.
- The influx of nationwide injunctions, particularly those challenging Trump administration policies, has witnessed a significant increase compared to past administrations, a trend that Grassley is actively working to address.
- Grassley has stressed that the President of the United States should not be required to seek approval from individual district judges to function effectively in managing the executive branch, a role constitutionally assigned to them.
