Rep. Deborah Ross Slams Trump's 'Disrespect' for the Judiciary and U.S. Citizens

Trump's Contempt for the Judiciary

• 🎯 Rep. Deborah Ross asserts that Donald Trump's contempt for the Judiciary is not new, citing his past legal battles over real estate deals and sexual assault allegations.
• ⚠️ Ross warns that Trump's disrespect for anyone who doesn't comply with his wishes makes him dangerous as President, as he is treating the U.S. similarly to how he treated contractors and victims.

Judicial Authority and Constitutional Law

• ⚖️ Professor Shaw clarifies that under the U.S. Constitution, as established in Marbury v. Madison, judges and the Supreme Court have the final word on the meaning of the Constitution and laws.
• 🏛️ The president does not decide which issues judges can rule on; the courts, not the president, have historically held this final authority.

Protecting Judicial Independence

• 💡 Fourth Circuit Judge Michael Ludig is quoted stating that a country without an independent Judiciary is not a desirable place to live, except perhaps for Trump himself.
• 🛡️ To counter Trump's attacks on the Judiciary, Congress could rally behind bipartisan support for judicial security, citing increased threats to federal judges and past bipartisan action to increase security for Supreme Court Justices.

Presidential Power and Judicial Nominees

• 🚫 Professor Shaw explains that it is a long-standing, bipartisan tradition for presidents not to secure commitments from judicial nominees regarding specific rulings.
• 🤝 While the Senate could inquire if nominees have been asked for or given assurances, it would be wildly inconsistent with practice for a president to seek such assurances.