特朗普政府试图利用司法系统进行政治报复的举动正面临越来越多的法律阻力。联邦法官和检控官开始撤销或阻止这些尝试，显示司法独立正成为制衡总统权力的重要机制[1]。
在具体案例中，特朗普任命的华盛顿特区美国检控官詹妮·皮罗撤销了对林肯纪念堂反思池破坏案四名被告的指控[1]。该反思池翻新项目耗资1600万美元，在7月4日美国250周年庆典前完成[1]。检控官辩称破坏系"仓促安装"而非故意破坏财产[1]。与此同时，特朗普多次试图对前FBI主任詹姆斯·科米提起诉讼，但第一次案件遭联邦法官撤销，法官裁定检控官任命程序违法[1]。
司法部门对行政权力的制约也体现在其他方面。共和党任命的联邦法官阻止特朗普政府传唤明尼苏达州民主党州长蒂姆·沃尔茨[1]，特朗普任命的联邦法官则阻止司法部获取乔治亚州投票工作人员的姓名和联系方式[1]。最高法院今年未支持特朗普在关税政策和废除出生公民权两起重大案件中的立场[1]。对此，特朗普批评反对他的法官为"愚蠢的人"，抱怨他们"想要表明自己独立"[1]。
The Trump administration has repeatedly attempted to harness the federal judiciary for political purposes, but federal judges and prosecutors are increasingly blocking these efforts, demonstrating the judiciary's role as a counterbalance to executive power.[1]
Among the most notable cases, the administration pursued charges related to damage at the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration in July.[1] Trump-appointed Washington D.C. prosecutor Jeanine Pirro subsequently withdrew charges against David Hearn and three other defendants, characterizing the damage as resulting from "hasty installation" rather than property destruction.[1] The Reflecting Pool renovation project cost $16 million and was completed before the July 4 commemoration.[1]
Trump has made multiple attempts to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey, but a federal judge dismissed the first case, ruling that the prosecutor's appointment was unlawful.[1] A Republican-appointed federal judge also blocked the Trump administration from subpoenaing Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz, while a Trump-appointed federal judge prevented the Justice Department from obtaining the names and contact information of Georgia voting workers.[1] On major policy matters, the Supreme Court declined to support Trump's positions in cases involving tariff policy and the elimination of birthright citizenship this year.[1]
Trump has publicly criticized judges opposing his agenda, calling them "stupid people" and complaining that they "want to show that they're independent."[1] Despite maintaining control over his cabinet and support from the Republican-controlled Congress, Trump's attempts to manipulate or overturn judicial decisions face mounting resistance from federal courts.[1]
