In Donald Trump’s 28 short days in office, he has been on a mission to reshape the federal government having already signed 68 executive orders. With Republicans in control of both the Senate and House of Representatives, there remains one branch of government unwilling to submit to Trump’s executive order rampage: the courts. The judicial branch has been working to preserve the integrity of the United States through freezes and restraining orders on Trump’s executive orders, showing unwavering commitment to the constitutional foundations that America was built upon.
During his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship for children born to parents without legal status. The directive changed the wording of The Fourteenth Amendment which grants all children born on United States soil automatic citizenship.
State of Washington v. Trump is one of nine legal challenges to this executive order, yet its ruling issued by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour stands out among the rest. Coughenour was appointed by Ronald Reagan, a champion of the conservative wing of the Republican Party, much of which laid the foundation for the Trump administration’s prevailing ideology.
On Jan. 23, Coughenour granted a 14-day temporary restraining order against Trump’s “unconstitutional, un-American and cruel” executive order.
“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” he said. “There are other times in world history where we look back and people of goodwill can say, ‘Where were the judges? Where were the lawyers?’”
On Feb. 6, Coughenour issued a preliminary injunction, further suspending President Trump’s executive order.
“It has become ever more apparent that to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain,” he said. “Nevertheless, in this courtroom and under my watch, the rule of law is a bright beacon which I intend to follow.”
Despite Coughenour’s appointment by former conservative president Ronald Reagan, he remains committed to upholding precedent and protecting the ideals of the United States Constitution.
It can be hard to keep your faith in the courts while witnessing the overturn of significant precedent and a slew of decisions driven by political partisanship.
If you feel this way, you’re not alone. According to a survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only 44% of citizens had trust in the court to act in the best interest of people like them following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Contrary to these concerns, this injunction is one of 26 rulings freezing Trump’s executive orders. The judicial branch is actively holding Trump back as he pushes the boundaries of his executive powers. As the judiciary fights for us, we must have reciprocal, steadfast faith in them.
Trump may be winning insignificant battles like renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, enforcing federal recognition of only two sexes, male and female, and putting an end to “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity and inclusion programs. But, with the help of the courts, constitutionality and democratic ideals will win the war.