this post was submitted on 22 May 2025
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United States | News & Politics

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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/30067678

... the Big Ugly Bill is enacted with the following provision, now hidden in the bill:

“No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued….”

Translated: No federal court may enforce a contempt citation.

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[–] DarkCloud@lemmy.world 13 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

House Republicans passed this, so I assume it's what's the US system... It's gotta go through the Republican majority in the Senate now right?

Then Trump can make his own laws.

[–] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

Its likely to be heavily modified in the Senate. Republican Senators have been complaining the House is wasting their time with this.

[–] RedWeasel@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago

That would literally void the constitution. No free speech, no 2nd amendment, no rights.

[–] RichardDegenne@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Can someone explain for us non-American/non fluent in legalese?

[–] DarkCloud@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

It's denying courts the right to enforce rulings. So when Trump passes a law, order or a way to fund them, the Supreme Court can say the new law is unconstitutional or illegitimate, but can't do anything about it.

They can't indite Trump, or do anything that requires public funds.

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Here's my layperson's understanding (I'm not American either, but watch their descent into dictatorship with grim fascination):

If someone disobeys a judge's legal orders, they can be held in contempt of court. People can be imprisoned for contempt of court or otherwise sanctioned through criminal or civil means. This bill states that a court may not use any of its funds to enforce any such sanction, so effectively it means that the court can do nothing to enforce a judge's orders.

This is convenient for Trump and his government, who have been disobeying judges whenever they feel like it. And it effectively means Trump can enforce his will, without anyone being able to stop him or his enforcers by challenging them in court. So if Trump decides you are to be disappeared and imprisoned for life or executed, the courts can do nothing to stop it. The law of the land will effectively be made up on the fly by Donald Trump.