Welcome to the online edition of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that presents the latest reporting and analysis from the NBC News Politics team covering the White House, Capitol Hill, and the campaign trail. In today’s issue, Jonathan Allen delves into a key aspect of the Trump administration: legal battles surrounding his executive orders. Additionally, our Capitol Hill team offers updates on the status of Cabinet confirmation battles, including Pete Hegseth overcoming a significant hurdle in the Senate.
To receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday, sign up here. — Adam Wollner
Trump’s attempt to expand presidential authority faces initial challenge
By Jonathan Allen
Just three days in, a judge has already deemed one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders as “blatantly unconstitutional.” The contested order aims to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to non-citizen or non-resident parents. According to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, individuals born in the U.S. are automatically granted citizenship if subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
Senior U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, unequivocally criticized the presidential overreach by issuing a temporary restraining order against the policy. Coughenour characterized the order as unconstitutional, emphasizing the importance of upholding the Constitution’s integrity.
This legal dispute is likely to escalate to the Supreme Court, a familiar territory for Trump. Despite having appointed a significant portion of the current Supreme Court justices, Trump faces pushback from the judiciary branch. The outcome of this case could test the boundaries of executive power, congressional authority, and judicial interpretation.
While Trump may not prevail in every legal battle, the implications of his actions on presidential powers are substantial. For instance, his nominee for the White House budget office, Russell Vought, contends that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional, potentially enabling Trump to withhold Congress-appropriated funds. The evolving landscape suggests a pivotal moment in redefining presidential authority.
Day 4 of the Trump presidency witnessed the signing of additional executive orders following a setback in court. Trump remains steadfast in his agenda, underscoring the ongoing dynamics of his administration.
Here is a revised version of the text you provided:
Trump recently took several significant actions, including signing an executive order to declassify records related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. Additionally, he pardoned 23 anti-abortion-rights activists through another executive order.
Furthermore, Trump announced plans for his administration to explore the establishment of a “national digital asset stockpile,” fulfilling a promise to support the use of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Following a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump urged increased U.S. investment from the kingdom, suggesting a boost from the promised $600 billion to around $1 trillion.
In other developments, the administration withdrew security details provided for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and State Department adviser Brian Hook. Trump also expressed openness to hosting pardoned Jan. 6 defendants at the White House. Federal employees have received warnings about reporting on colleagues in certain positions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Moreover, Trump rescinded an executive order targeting discrimination by federal contractors and subcontractors. He also revealed his intention to appoint L. Brent Bozell III, founder of the Media Research Center, to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
In addition, Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, overcame obstacles in the Senate, with a narrow vote advancing his nomination. The Senate also approved John Ratcliffe as CIA director in a bipartisan vote.
Looking ahead, confirmation hearings for other key nominees like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health and human services and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence are scheduled for next week.
Fact-checking is essential when it comes to political statements, and one recent claim made by Trump regarding the Panama Canal has sparked controversy. Trump has accused China of having a hand in the operations of the canal, but both China and Panama have vehemently denied any such involvement. Moving on to the world of social media, rumors are swirling about potential U.S. buyers for TikTok, with names like popular YouTuber MrBeast, tech mogul Elon Musk, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison being thrown into the mix. In other news, Vice President JD Vance is set to make a notable appearance at the upcoming March for Life rally in Washington, marking a significant speaking engagement since assuming office. Meanwhile, a peculiar bill introduced by a Mississippi lawmaker has raised eyebrows, proposing to restrict men from engaging in sexual activities without the intent to fertilize an embryo, aptly named the “Contraception Begins at Erection Act.” These are just a few highlights from the world of politics today, brought to you by the Politics Desk team. For more insights and updates, feel free to reach out to us with your feedback at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com. And if you enjoy our content, don’t hesitate to share it with your friends and colleagues by signing up for our newsletter.
