Mike Lee proposes bill to limit judges blocking Trump's orders

In the United States, Senator Mike Lee introduced a bill aimed at curbing the power of federal judges who issue injunctions against presidential actions. This initiative, branded as the 'Restraining Judicial Insurrectionists Act of 2025', seeks to establish a three-judge panel that would expedite reviews of judicial decisions limiting the executive branch's functions. The bill was proposed in response to several federal court rulings that halted key Trump administration policies, which critics argue undermined the authority of the president and disrupted government operations. The legislative efforts stem from ongoing frustrations among Republicans regarding decisions made by individual district court judges that have paused or reversed executive orders. Senator Lee contends that the current judicial landscape allows single judges to exert considerable influence over the executive branch, compromising both the efficiency of governance and the separation of powers. By creating a specialized panel, he believes this oversight can facilitate a faster appellate process, ensuring that meaningful presidential actions are not derailed by potentially politically motivated court decisions. While this bill marks a significant change in how judicial oversight might work in practice, it reflects a broader Republican strategy to address what they consider excessive judicial power. Prominent figures in the party have expressed concerns about 'nationwide injunctions' issued by district judges which they argue go beyond the appropriate scope of judicial authority, binding parties not directly involved in certain lawsuits. Senator Josh Hawley emphasized the need for Congress to redefine this judicial power, advocating for limitations on such injunctions to ensure executive actions are less vulnerable to judicial intervention. Although resistance exists within the Senate regarding drastic measures against the judiciary, the introduction of this bill indicates a persistent movement among some lawmakers to redefine the relationship between the legislative and judicial branches. There are also ongoing discussions about the possibility of defunding certain courts as a method to limit judicial overreach, though legal experts suggest this could face substantial hurdles and may ultimately be ineffective. The repeated calls for judicial reform underscore the contentious environment surrounding President Trump's presidency, particularly as challenges against his administration’s policies continue to arise from various judicial fronts.