📢 The Courts Belong to the People—Not to Trump
🗽People Power United is a grassroots group of over 250,000+ members in all 50 states. We champion progress and power to the people.
What in the bleepity bleep is going on?
Everywhere we turn, our most basic rights are under siege. This week alone, I've written about the attacks on our right to learn our true history, speak our minds, and access due process—all orchestrated by our own government. Led by 34-time convicted felon President Trump, who sees the Constitution as an obstacle, not a duty, and backed by a Republican Party that enables him every step of the way, this coordinated assault is no accident. It’s by design.
And today, we need to talk about what might be the most dangerous threat yet: the attempt to take over our courts. Trump and his inner circle are working overtime to ram extremist bills through Congress that would strip judicial independence, silence dissent, and give him the power to rule without consequence. These bills aren't getting the attention they deserve—but they must.
Because here's the truth: Defending our courts is defending our democracy.
Right now—not someday, not in theory, but right now—Donald Trump is launching a full-blown attack on the one branch of government he hasn't fully captured. He's threatening judges, doxxing the families of those who rule against him, and targeting law firms that dare to challenge his abuses. And he’s backing legislation that would let him stack the bench with loyalists who protect him—not the people.
Let’s be clear: this is not reform. It’s not leadership. It’s an authoritarian power grab—and it’s happening in broad daylight.
Recently, People Power United joined coalition efforts to warn Americans about Trump and Congress' attacks on the judiciary. Here is the joint statement we issued:
America faces a moment of unprecedented constitutional danger. In the first weeks of his second term, President Trump has issued public statements and signed dozens of executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations to gut our federal government, challenge our system of checks and balances, and undermine our Constitution.
Federal district courts have issued numerous injunctions and restraining orders to halt or temporarily stop this assault. Trump and his allies have responded by threatening judges and private law firms, and by proposing legislation to undercut and intimidate the judicial branch.
As organizations representing millions of Americans, we are profoundly concerned by these sweeping proposals and the actions of President Trump, his administration, and his congressional allies to intimidate the judiciary, dismantle the rule of law, and weaponize the executive branch.
The Trump administration's authoritarian actions threaten a system of checks and balances that has safeguarded our democracy for nearly 250 years.
The constitutional crisis once dismissed as hyperbole now stands at our nation’s doorstep.
Trump's Congressional allies are attempting to codify this authoritarianism into law with bills like:
The JUDGES Act (H.R. 1702): Letting Trump appoint 22 new lifetime district court judges to stack the courts with loyalists.
The PEPPER Act (H.R. 1789): Shielding presidents from prosecution by forcing most cases into federal court—then dismissing them.
The NORRA Act (H.R. 1526): Blocking judges from granting relief beyond individual plaintiffs, no matter how unconstitutional the action.
The Nationwide Injunction Abuse Prevention Act: Banning nationwide injunctions altogether.
This isn’t reform—it’s a coordinated coup against our judicial system.
And it doesn’t stop there. Trump’s administration has issued executive orders targeting law firms he personally resents—accusing them of being “dishonest” or “dangerous” for simply defending the law. This is how autocrats rule—by dismantling legal safeguards until no resistance remains.
So we’re raising the alarm. We urge Congress to stand firm by rejecting the JUDGES Act, the PEPPER Act, and the NORRA Act.
We urge legal professionals to speak out.
Now is the time to strengthen judicial independence and reinforce the separation of powers. We demand that the president, his administration, and Congress cease attacks on judges and lawyers and reaffirm their commitment to the rule of law.
We must act—and we must act now.
The JUDGES Act, the PEPPER Act, the NORRA Act—these aren’t just bad ideas. They’re weapons of authoritarian control. If they pass, the damage could be irreversible.
We will not let Trump rewrite the Constitution to serve his ambition.
We will not let Congress quietly sell off the independence of our courts.
So we’re asking you:
✍️ Tell Congress: Reject these sham bills.
💪 Call your member of Congress (202) 224-3121 and tell them:
As your constituent, I’m urging you to firmly reject the JUDGES Act, the PEPPER Act, the NORRA Act, and any legislation that undermines judicial independence or shields executive officials from accountability. These bills are blatant power grabs that would erode the separation of powers, stack the courts with political loyalists, and weaken the very system of checks and balances that has safeguarded our democracy for nearly 250 years. We need a judiciary that answers to the Constitution—not to any president. I’m asking you to speak out, vote no, and make clear that in America, no one is above the law. The future of our democracy depends on it.
Our courts do not belong to any president, party, or billionaire.
They belong to the people.
And we will defend them—because if we lose the rule of law, we lose everything else.
This is our line in the sand.
Right now, the far-right is attacking our freedoms, our democracy, and our future. But here’s the truth: we are not powerless. This is our moment to rise—for an America where "liberty and justice for all" means all, not just the wealthy and well-connected.
✨ Here's how you can take action today:
🔴 Join the May 1 National Day of Action
Stand with us in cities across the country as we show up for freedom, justice, and equality.
📍 Find your city/state and sign up here.📍Click here to view our interactive map for a MAY DAY event near you.
🛡️ Attend “Rapid Response for Our Freedoms” – Sunday, April 27
Let’s come together for a powerful virtual gathering at
6:30 PM ET / 5:30 CT / 4:30 MT / 3:30 PT.
You’ll walk away with concrete actions, strategic tools, and the momentum to push back. 🗓️ RSVP Now💥 Support our efforts: Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter
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We are not just resisting—we are reclaiming, rebuilding, and rising. Let’s do it together.
With fierce resolve and people power,
Laurie Woodward Garcia
People Power United
Together, we can inspire progress and create a community where everyone can thrive!
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