This is what an authoritarian regime would do. Hidden deep in Trump’s 1,100-page bill that passed the House today is a provision that would block federal courts from enforcing contempt charges against government officials who violate court orders.
Sec. 70302 – Blocks courts from enforcing contempt charges against government officials, unless a judge required a monetary bond when issuing the original injunction.
“No funds appropriated… may be used to enforce a citation for civil or criminal contempt… unless the court required the posting of security in the form of a bond.”
What this means:
Injunctions are emergency court orders
– Judges issue them to temporarily stop actions, like deportations, bans, or drilling, while a case is being decided.
Judges often waive bonds in public interest cases
– A bond is a financial deposit meant to protect the losing side if the injunction is later overturned.
– Judges typically don’t require them when:
– The plaintiff can’t afford it.
– The case involves fundamental rights, not financial damages.
– The government is the defendant, and financial risk is minimal.
This section creates a dangerous loophole
– If no bond was required, which is common, this bill blocks any federal money from being used to enforce contempt.
– Translation: Officials can violate court orders and face no consequences.
– Even if a judge tries to hold them in contempt, they’ll be blocked from enforcing it.
Bottom line:
This isn’t budget policy, it’s a power grab. It strips judges of their ability to enforce the law and gives government officials a green light to ignore court orders. It’s authoritarian by design and it’s buried in the fine print.
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