WASHINGTON (AP) — Senior officials in the Trump administration are casting doubts on the judiciary’s power to act as a check on executive authority as the new president’s ambitious agenda faces resistance from the courts. In the last day, figures including billionaire Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance have not only criticized a federal judge’s ruling that blocks Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Treasury Department records, but have also questioned the legitimacy of judicial oversight, a key principle of American democracy founded on the separation of powers.
Vance expressed his views on Sunday, stating, “If a judge attempted to dictate military operations to a general, it would be unlawful. Similarly, if a judge tried to direct the attorney general on prosecutorial discretion, that too would be illegal. Judges are not permitted to constrain the legitimate power of the executive.”
In a separate statement, Musk called for the impeachment of the judge who ruled against him, accusing him of protecting corruption. Musk, tasked by President Donald Trump to identify inefficiencies in the federal government, faces a court order preventing his team from accessing a Treasury database containing sensitive personal information of millions of Americans.
Meanwhile, Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller criticized the ruling as an attack on democracy itself, arguing that unelected bureaucrats with lifetime appointments are obstructing the administration’s efforts to streamline government agencies and reduce the federal workforce. The administration’s plans have been temporarily halted by court injunctions, which have also blocked initiatives such as mass federal buyouts and the implementation of an executive order on birthright citizenship.
The administration’s confrontations with the judiciary highlight ongoing tensions between the executive branch and the courts, with legal battles shaping the course of policy implementation.
He remarked: “It is imperative that no judge should be permitted to render such a decision.” The payment system manages the distribution of tax refunds, Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits, and various other payments, disbursing trillions of dollars annually while safeguarding an extensive web of Americans’ personal and financial information. A hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 14. Democrats have been expressing apprehension regarding the endeavors of Musk and Trump, particularly their attempts to block the expenditure of funds already approved by Congress. According to the U.S. Constitution, Congress holds the authority over budget allocation. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., articulated his view on ABC’s “This Week,” stating, “I believe this is the most serious Constitutional crisis the nation has encountered, certainly since Watergate. This is a critical moment that demands the collective understanding of our democracy being in jeopardy.” Murphy expressed distress about the lack of readiness of the courts in facing the challenges ahead. “The rapid pace at which the Constitution is being undermined to cater to the interests of the wealthy elite is truly staggering. Consequently, we must mount a robust opposition,” Murphy emphasized. “Ultimately, the American public must be engaged in this discourse as we require our Republican counterparts in both the House and Senate to intervene and halt this erosion. We cannot solely rely on the judiciary.” Republicans, who have predominantly supported the president since his reelection, reiterated their stance on Sunday. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio criticized the court ruling in the Treasury Department case while advocating for the president’s prerogative to advance his policies. “It is probable that this will be resolved through legal proceedings, as has been the case with the multitude of decisions in recent days. We were well aware that the left and the Democrats would take this course of action,” Jordan articulated on CNN’s “Inside Politics.”___Contributions to this report were made by Associated Press writer Darlene Superville aboard Air Force One.
