January 1, Power Grab Fears Spark Judge Reform Talk

Wyatt’s Take

• Several federal judges have blocked big executive actions
• Conservatives say this lets single judges control national policy
• Calls for stricter limits on judicial power are growing in Congress

Middle America is losing patience with judges making sweeping decisions from the bench. Many see federal judges stepping over their bounds, blocking major actions by the president.

“His judicial position to advance political gain” is how Rep. Brandon Gill described Judge James Boasberg’s recent moves, firing up the debate about judicial overreach.

It’s not just Boasberg. Judges Tanya Chutkan, Amit Mehta, Jon Tigar, and Brian Murphy have all faced criticism for rulings that slow or outright block administration policies, especially those meant to secure the border and uphold the rule of law.

Critics argue these decisions let one judge halt important actions and manipulate policy for the whole country. The problem gets worse when lawyers pick sympathetic courts and judges to get the outcomes they want, a tactic called “forum shopping.”

Some want the Supreme Court and the Judicial Conference to step up and keep judges in line, even referring them to Congress if their actions cross the line. Others push for new laws requiring the toughest cases get heard by more than one judge or sending big decisions straight to the Supreme Court.

This fight over so-called activist judges speaks to the deeper split in our government. As Congress stalls out and presidents act alone, the courts become the place where too much power lands in too few hands. Many everyday Americans are left wondering who’s really running the country.

Ready to see judges held accountable? Stay tuned as lawmakers push for changes that put the people—not unelected judges—back in charge.

Wyatt Matters

Folks across the heartland believe judges should interpret laws, not make them. When courtrooms shove aside the will of working Americans and elected leaders, trust in our system takes another hit. Ordinary people know true justice means fair rules that everyone follows—no exceptions for those in black robes.

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