Federal Judge John McConnell has once again stepped in to block President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce the federal bureaucracy, halting the closure of three agencies. Democrat-led states sued to stop the shutdowns, and McConnell, an Obama appointee, sided with them on constitutional grounds.
Key Facts:
- U.S. District Judge John McConnell blocked President Trump from shutting down the IMLS, MBDA, and FMCS.
- The lawsuit was brought by nearly two dozen Democrat-led states opposing the agency closures.
- McConnell ruled that the executive branch’s actions violated the constitutional separation of powers.
- McConnell previously blocked Trump from freezing federal grants, calling the move likely unconstitutional.
- The judge cited ongoing harm to states, such as personnel reductions and canceled programs.
The Rest of The Story:
President Trump aimed to close three federal agencies: the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
These agencies provide support to libraries, minority businesses, and labor mediation efforts.
Nearly two dozen Democrat-led states filed suit to stop the closures.
Judge McConnell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled that Trump’s actions violated the constitutional separation of powers.
He wrote that the closures ignore Congress’s authority to create and fund federal programs, while the executive is only meant to carry them out.
The administration argued that the states lacked standing to sue, but McConnell rejected that claim.
He cited ongoing harm from reduced personnel and the loss of programs that benefit the states.
Earlier in the year, McConnell also blocked Trump’s freeze on federal grants, ordering funds to be restored while litigation continues.
He called the funding freeze likely unconstitutional and said it caused irreparable harm across the country.
Unelected state judges have more power than the President.
P.S. "Before he became a judge, he and his wife were major donors to Democratic political candidates. McConnell served four years on Rhode Island's Planned Parenthood board of directors."
P.P.S. This is what they do. pic.twitter.com/DeIxtEFDqQ
— Joshua Lisec, The Ghostwriter (@JoshuaLisec) May 7, 2025
Commentary:
This is the latest example of an unelected judge blocking the actions of a duly elected president.
President Trump was elected to clean up and streamline the bloated federal government.
These judges were elected by no one, yet they continue to interfere with the will of the people.
The President’s actions are entirely within the scope of executive authority, especially when dealing with agencies created by executive discretion.
Judge McConnell is behaving more like a partisan activist than a neutral arbiter of the law.
If this kind of judicial obstruction continues, it risks triggering a constitutional crisis.
At some point, the Trump administration may be forced to defy illegitimate rulings just to do its job.
This is dangerous territory.
Judges like McConnell need to be seen for what they are: instigators of a slow-motion coup.
They are using the bench to wage political war against the executive branch.
If they aren’t stopped, they will destroy the balance of power in this country.
The Bottom Line:
Judge McConnell has once again blocked President Trump from enacting needed federal reforms.
This time, he sided with Democrat-led states to keep open three agencies the administration targeted for closure.
The judge’s ruling adds to a growing trend of judicial activism against the President’s agenda.
If this pattern continues, it may spark a serious constitutional confrontation.
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