Former President Donald Trump’s impulsive leadership style often complicated legal battles for his administration during his time in office. Examples include his sudden reversal of legal positions, such as on the citizenship question in the 2020 census, promptings changes in legal teams and eventually leading to defeats in court.
If re-elected, Trump has indicated he would continue with provocative policy moves, such as ending birthright citizenship and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants, which could face legal challenges. Other potential actions, like withholding federal funds from states that refuse to cooperate with deportation efforts, accommodating transgender students, or using the military to punish critics, would also likely result in litigation.
The Justice Department’s role in a potential second-term Trump administration is outlined in Project 2025, which emphasizes that decisions must align with the president’s agenda. While tensions between political appointees and career lawyers may exist, ethical obligations to uphold the law remain.
Despite the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, which includes three Trump appointees, there are doubts that Trump would always get his way in a second term. Legal experts suggest that court challenges could prevent him from carrying out all of his desired policies, leading to disruptions and havoc but potentially preventing unchecked executive power.
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